Nasolabial angle: what it is and how to assess it
The nasolabial angle is the angle formed, in profile, between the columella (the base of the nose, between the nostrils) and the upper lip. It is measured with the vertex at the point where the columella meets the lip, called the subnasale. It is one of the most used measurements in analyzing the facial profile and in planning the nose and lips.
Which values are usually cited?
The reference ranges described in the literature are usually between 90 and 110 degrees, with values slightly more open in women than in men. These numbers vary between authors and populations and should not be read as a goal. A sharp angle tends to give the impression of a drooping nasal tip or a projecting upper lip; a very open angle can make the nose look upturned.
Like any isolated measurement, the nasolabial angle is a reference, just like the golden ratio. It is interpreted together with chin projection, lip volume and the patient's ethnic and individual characteristics.
Why does it matter in HOF?
The angle depends on two structures that can change with procedures: the tip of the nose and the upper lip. Changing the projection of the lips alters the angle, and so do interventions on the nasal tip. That is why assessing the profile before filling the lips or nose helps avoid an improvement from the front worsening how the profile reads.
The nose is a high vascular risk zone, because the vessels of the region connect with the circulation of the eye. When hyaluronic acid is used, hyaluronidase should be available. Indication, product and volume are defined by the qualified professional, after assessment.
In Harmy
Harmy's projection is done on the frontal photo, so the nasolabial angle continues to be assessed in profile, at the consultation and on standardized photos.
Also known as: columellar-labial angle.