Rhinoplasty in Korea: A Patient's Guide to Nose Surgery

Rhinoplasty — commonly called a nose job — is a surgical procedure that modifies the structure of the nose to improve its appearance, correct breathing difficulties, or both. The surgery is performed by board-certified plastic surgeons or ENT (ear, nose, and throat) surgeons under general anaesthesia or sedation in a hospital or accredited surgical facility.

Cosmetic rhinoplasty addresses concerns such as a prominent nasal hump, wide nasal tip, asymmetry, or disproportionate size relative to other facial features. Functional rhinoplasty corrects structural issues causing nasal obstruction — including a deviated septum (septoplasty), enlarged turbinates, or nasal valve collapse. Many procedures address both cosmetic and functional goals simultaneously.

There are two main surgical approaches: open rhinoplasty, where a small incision is made across the columella (the strip of skin between the nostrils) for full visibility; and closed rhinoplasty, where all incisions are inside the nostrils. Recovery involves significant swelling and bruising for the first 2 weeks; most patients return to work within 10–14 days. Residual swelling, particularly at the tip, may take up to 12 months to fully resolve. Final results should not be assessed before 12 months.