The ideal nasolabial angle in rhinoplasty: a preference analysis of the general population.

BACKGROUND: In aesthetic rhinoplasty, the described ideal nasolabial angle ranges from 90 to 120 degrees, with variable anthropologic differences. The authors sought to verify the most aesthetic nasolabial angle as specifically perceived by a random prospective sample of the general population and determine whether age, sex, race, and education were independent associated predictors.

METHODS: The authors prospectively recruited 98 random volunteers from the general population. They were asked to rank three different nasolabial angles for the female nose (100, 105, and 110 degrees) and the male nose (90, 100, and 105 degrees) as "most," "moderately," and "least aesthetic." Demographic data were used to determine correlations between aesthetic preferences. Pearson chi-square test and t test were used to determine statistical significance

RESULTS: The most aesthetic female nasolabial angle was 104.9±4.0 degrees. The most aesthetic male nasolabial angle was 97.0±6.3 degrees. Male subjects, younger volunteers, Native Americans, and African Americans preferred more acute male nasolabial angles (90 degrees). Female subjects, volunteers older than 50 years, college graduates, those with a previous rhinoplasty, and Caucasian and Asian subjects preferred more obtuse male nasolabial angles.

CONCLUSIONS: In the authors' sample of the general population, the ideal and most aesthetic nasolabial angle ranged from 100.9 to 108.9 degrees in the female nose and 90.7 to 103.3 degrees in the male nose. Age, sex, race, education, and having undergone a previous rhinoplasty were predictors of differences in the ideal male nasolabial angle but did not change preference of the female nasolabial angle.