COVER STORY SELF Subtle Techniques and advanced technology promise fewer wrinkles and a natural appearance.

by Judith Newman

"Today, you don't have to go to the complete nose job a la Cher. Doctors can do small adjustments. They can narrow or elevate the tip, trim cartilage to reduce the middle third of the nose. If the bridge happens to be too low they can create a more classic line with transplanted cartilage or Silastic implant.

Dr. Geoffrey Tobias M.D. calls the new more natural look in rhinoplasty the "un-nose job". The bridge remains strong, not scooped out, the tip may be refined , but it's not unnaturally angular. Instead of removing a great deal of cartilage he bends or remolds it, holding it in place with microscopic sutures."