Whoville Noses, Elf Ears and Other Trends on the “Naughty” List

From “Whoville noses” to “elf ears,” it seems like every few months a new extreme look takes over social media. These types of facial plastic surgery trends are often fueled by viral videos and sometimes even social media filters, but they rarely translate to a natural, proportionate appearance in real life. Before committing to a surgical procedure based on fads, you need to make sure the procedure makes sense for you for the long term. In the spirit of good holiday fun, let’s take a look at a few buzzing trends that are probably best left on the “naughty” list this year.

Whoville Noses

Popularized by certain social media influencers, the so-called “Whoville nose job” involves creating an extremely turned-up nasal tip and narrow bridge, reminiscent of the characters from the holiday classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas. While it might look cute on a filter, this exaggerated shape can appear unnatural in real life and is nearly impossible to reverse. In some cases, these overly sculpted noses can also lead to breathing problems and structural weakness over time.

Elf Ears

Another viral fad, “elf ear” surgery involves reshaping or even cutting the top of the ear cartilage to form a pointed tip. It’s not at all a new phenomenon, and actually made the rounds on social media almost a decade ago as well, but don’t mistake this for a legitimate plastic surgery procedure. This irreversible, fantasy-inspired procedure can leave lasting deformities and scarring. We’ve even heard of cosmetic surgeons who are getting requests for “elf ear” surgery corrections as patients realize that this trend doesn’t translate well beyond photos or conventions.

Buccal Fat Removal

Once reserved for select cases, buccal fat removal – which removes fat pads from the lower cheeks – has become popularized by celebrities and influencers over the past year or two as they look for a hyper-chiseled cheekbone. The problem with this trend, however, is that our faces naturally lose fat as we age, which can turn this more defined look into a hollowed or aged appearance over time. Instead, Dr. Koehler and Dr. Gardner recommend considering strategically-placed dermal fillers or other injectables to create subtle contouring that can be adjusted or even removed over time.

Fox Eyes and Dimpleplasty

Procedures like the “fox eye” lift and dimpleplasty have also gained traction in recent years, promising subtle tweaks that mimic trending makeup looks and popular social media filters. The “fox eye” look, achieved through threads or surgical lifts at the outer corners of the eyes, can sometimes distort natural facial proportions and may even interfere with vision. Dimpleplasty, meant to add dimples, can result in puckering, asymmetry or a prematurely aged appearance. It’s best to skip both of these “cutifying” procedures.

Why Chasing Trends Can Backfire

The goal of facial cosmetic surgery is to enhance your natural features, not create an entirely new look to mimic a fleeting trend. What’s “in” today might feel outdated tomorrow, leaving you with results that don’t age gracefully or suit your features long-term.

If you’re considering facial surgery such as a facelift, nose job or eyelid surgery, it’s important to have an open conversation with Dr. Koehler or Dr. Gardner about your goals. At your consultation, your surgeon will explain how your desired changes will age over time and whether they complement your natural bone structure and facial proportions. At the end of the day, our goal is to provide you with professional guidance and recommendations based on our combined decades of experience that will leave you looking and feeling confident for years to come.

If you’re considering facial cosmetic surgery, call our Fairhope office at 251-929-7850 or get in touch with us online to schedule a consultation with Dr. Koehler or Dr. Gardner today to discuss your unique goals and create a customized treatment plan.