Exploring ideal nasal aesthetics in Thailand: Trends and participants’ awareness of rhinoplasty

Abstract

Backgrounds: Beauty standards vary across cultures and regions. To date, no research has identified ideal nasal profiles for Thai individuals. This study aims to determine the preferred nasal aesthetics among the Thai population. Methods: This cross-sectional study employed an online self-assessment questionnaire to investigate the ideal nasal profiles among Thai adults aged 18–60. Data were collected from participants across all regions of Thailand and included demographic information, rhinoplasty intentions, and perceptions of ideal nasal features. Results: Of the 1452 respondents, 35.74% (519 individuals) have either undergone or plan to undergo rhinoplasty, while the remaining 64.26% (933 individuals) expressed either no interest or uncertainty about the procedure. The ideal nasolabial angle was found to be between 97 and 108 degrees for males and 88 to 98 degrees for females, respectively. Male participants in the rhinoplasty and control groups exhibited statistically significant differences in nasolabial angle ( p = 0.017), nasofrontal angle ( p < 0.001), and alar-intercanthal distance ratio ( p < 0.001). Female participants demonstrated statistically significant differences between groups in nasofacial angle ( p < 0.001) and nasolabial angle ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study identified distinct ideal nasal profiles among the Thai general population and those considering rhinoplasty. Our findings differed from the neoclassical orbitonasal proportion (canon V). These findings offer insights into contemporary Thai beauty standards for the nose, which can inform clinical decision-making in nasal treatment.