Nose Hump Reduction in Seoul: Smoothing the Bridge in Profile
The short answer
Hump reduction is a form of rhinoplasty that trims the cartilage and files down the bone of a bump on the nasal bridge so your profile looks straighter. In Gangnam it typically costs about KRW 3–6 million, takes 1–2 hours under sedation or general anesthesia, and needs a splint for 7–10 days. Most bruising fades within two weeks, while the final refined line settles over about 12 months.
Key facts
- What it treats: A bump of bone and cartilage on the nasal bridge
- Typical cost in Gangnam: About KRW 3–6 million
- Operating time: About 1–2 hours
- Anesthesia: IV sedation or general anesthesia
- Splint and stitches: Removed at about 7–10 days
- Minimum stay in Seoul: About 10–14 days
- Final result: Settles over about 12 months
Bone above, cartilage below
The bridge of your nose, called the dorsum, is bone at the top and cartilage further down. A hump usually forms right where the two meet, which is why it contains a bit of both. Some people inherit the shape; others develop it after an old knock or break. It is most obvious from the side, and it often makes the tip look lower than it really is.
Because the hump has two layers, the surgeon treats it in two ways. The cartilage portion is trimmed with a fine blade, and the bony portion is smoothed down with a rasp or a small osteotome. If the hump is large, removing it leaves a flat, open area on top of the bridge (an "open roof"). To close that gap and keep the bridge narrow from the front, the nasal bones are moved inward with small controlled cuts called osteotomies. For selected noses, a preservation technique lowers the whole bridge from underneath rather than shaving the top.
Most often chosen for and combined with
- A visible bump on the bridge in side view
- A bridge that looks heavy compared with the tip
- A hump that followed an old nose injury
Hump reduction is often paired with tip plasty to lift or refine the tip, because a lower bridge can make a drooping tip more noticeable. Septal straightening is added when breathing is also an issue.
The procedure, step by step
Incision
Your surgeon reaches the bridge either through cuts hidden inside the nostrils (closed approach) or with an extra small cut across the columella, the strip between the nostrils (open approach). Small, simple humps can often be handled closed; humps combined with tip work usually need open access.
Where the incisions are made
Internal cuts leave no visible scar. An open approach adds a tiny inverted-V scar under the tip that typically fades to a fine line over several months.
Recovery timeline
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Swelling and bruising around the eyes peak; you sleep with your head raised |
| Days 7–10 | Splint and any outside stitches removed; most people return to desk work |
| Weeks 2–4 | Bruising fades; light exercise allowed with your surgeon's approval |
| Months 3–12 | Remaining swelling over the bridge and tip slowly resolves |
Avoid wearing glasses on the bridge for about 4–6 weeks, especially if osteotomies were done. Most surgeons clear you to fly home once the splint is off.
Is it right for you?
A good fit if you
- Have a hump you notice mainly in profile
- Are happy with your tip, or plan to treat it at the same time
- Have stable health and can stay in Seoul for about two weeks
Another option may suit you better if
- Your hump is very small: filler above the bump can camouflage it without surgery
- Your main concern is the tip or nostrils rather than the bridge
Risks to discuss at your consultation
Ask your surgeon about over-reduction (a scooped bridge), leftover irregularities you can feel under thin skin, asymmetry after osteotomies, prolonged swelling and, rarely, breathing changes if the middle vault narrows. Ask how they would correct a small residual bump if one appears after swelling settles.
Hump reduction cost in Seoul
Simple hump reduction in Gangnam typically costs about KRW 3–6 million. Adding tip work, osteotomies or septal grafts moves the total higher. Ask whether the quote includes anesthesia, the splint, follow-up visits and medication. For a broader budget, see how much to budget for nose surgery in Gangnam.
Hump reduction vs. tip plasty
| Hump reduction | Tip plasty | |
|---|---|---|
| Area treated | Bridge (bone and cartilage) | Tip cartilages only |
| Bones moved | Sometimes (osteotomies) | No |
| Bruising | Moderate around the eyes | Usually mild |
| Typical cost | KRW 3–6 million | KRW 2.5–5 million |
If you are not sure which part of your nose drives the look you dislike, read about the hump nose condition and bring side-view photos to your consultation.
This guide is for general information and is not medical advice. Prices are typical ranges reported by Gangnam clinics in 2026 and vary by clinic, doctor and treatment plan; confirm directly with the clinic.
Patient questions
Frequently asked questions
Will my nose look smaller after hump reduction?
It usually looks smoother and slightly smaller in profile, but the width and tip stay much the same unless they are treated too.
Can a hump come back?
Removed bone and cartilage do not grow back. A small bump can become visible again if swelling settles unevenly, which is why surgeons check at 6–12 months.
Is the procedure painful?
Most patients describe pressure and congestion rather than sharp pain, controlled with oral painkillers for a few days.
When can I fly home?
Most surgeons are comfortable with a flight once the splint is removed at about 7–10 days and the nose has been checked.
Can I combine it with other nose changes?
Yes. It is often combined with tip refinement or septoplasty in one operation if your surgeon feels it is safe.
Not sure which Gangnam clinic is right for you?
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