Why Is a Natural Nasal Tip Square? — ACR, the 90-Degree Nasolabial Angle, and the Protruding-Mouth Easing Effect

01

What does an ideal ACR look like?

The most ideal ACR is a shape where the columella sits 1–2mm below the alar height. When this happens, the nasal line draws a seagull shape from the front and the front view of the nose looks attractive. From the side too, the columella sits 1–2mm lower than the alae, confirming it protrudes slightly more.

There are also differences in the columella's shape — a columella extending straight versus one curving round. Because the one expressed roundly resembles a typical nose shape, a straight columella can feel artificial.

To summarize, a generally attractive nose shape has these elements.

02

Why does a 90-degree nasolabial angle lead to easing protrusion?

When the nasolabial angle — the angle running from the columella toward the mouth — reaches about 90 degrees, the nose keeps a natural, cute feel. At the same time, as the nose rises the mouth relatively looks set back, giving an effect like having had protruding-mouth surgery.

When the nasolabial angle is about 90 degrees, the philtrum area draws a curve forming a slight C-curl. Then the philtrum can look a bit shorter — this is the principle that leads to the feeling of protruding-mouth surgery. In actual before-and-afters too, the tip is made roundish rather than pointed, the columella a square with a slight curve, and the nasolabial angle 90 degrees — with the philtrum's end lifted slightly to keep the C-curl. The criteria for the line running from tip to lips can be seen in more detail in the J-Curl line guide, and actual changes can be confirmed in the before-and-after photos.

03

How is a square tip made?

If a natural nose shape is wanted, a square-shaped tip — not a straight line — must be created. The method differs by the nose's condition.

• Shield graft — cartilage is placed at the tip to make the square form so the columella area comes forward.
• Columella cartilage insertion — cartilage placed in the columella area can create the curve.
• Curved strut — in thin-skinned patients, cartilage placed at the tip or columella can show through or be felt, so surgery is sometimes done by making the tip strut itself curved to preserve the original columella shape.

That is why the method is decided before surgery by looking at the skin condition and columella state. When the ACR balance is set, the tip rises and a feeling of the lips being relatively set back — that is, the effect of protruding-mouth surgery — can be obtained.

04

Summary — the shape criteria come first

Before raising the tip itself, what shape to target comes first. A seagull-shaped ACR with the columella 1–2mm below the alae, a roundish square tip with a curved columella, a nasolabial angle of about 90 degrees — when these criteria are met, the nose can look natural while also making the philtrum look shorter and the mouth look set back. The method differs by skin and columella condition, so it is not set uniformly.

If you wonder about the state of your own ACR and nasolabial angle, it can be checked directly in a 1:1 video consultation.