What Is Facial Convexity (Nasion) in FaceIQ Labs' Harmony Analysis?

Key facts

• Measures the oriented angle nasion → subnasale → pogonion on a side-profile photo
• Below 180°: the nose base is on the convex side of the upper-point-to-chin line
• Above 180°: the nose base is on the concave side; exactly 180° means the three points align
• Excludes the projecting nose tip, so it compares the upper and lower profile
• The same angle can arise from different combinations of nasal-root, midface and chin position
• Example values in the guide explain the calculation and are not a target range
• A profile photo cannot establish skeletal jaw relationships or bite classification
• Harmony is one of four FaceIQ Labs pillars (Harmony, Angularity, Dimorphism, Features), weighted roughly 60% front photo and 40% side photo
• Side photos are standardized to the Frankfort horizontal plane during landmarking
• Cited clinical reference: Holdaway, 1984, a soft-tissue cephalometric analysis paper

What does Facial Convexity (Nasion) measure in FaceIQ Labs?

Facial Convexity (Nasion) is a side-view Harmony measurement in FaceIQ Labs. It calculates the oriented angle from the nasion (the nasal root) to the subnasale (the nose base) to the pogonion (the most forward chin point), giving one angle in degrees for how the upper and lower profile bend. In FaceIQ Labs' guides, Frankfort refers to the direction from the ear-opening landmark to the lower orbital landmark.

How do I read a result below or above 180°?

In FaceIQ Labs' Facial Convexity (Nasion) measurement, a result below 180° means the subnasale (nose base) lies on the convex side of the line from the nasion to the pogonion. A result above 180° means it lies on the concave side, and exactly 180° means the three points align.

Why does Facial Convexity (Nasion) exclude the nose tip?

FaceIQ Labs' Facial Convexity (Nasion) compares the upper and lower profile while excluding the projecting nose tip. Because the same angle can arise from different combinations of nasal-root, midface and chin position, the number describes the overall bend of the profile and does not by itself show which position produced it.

Does a 170° result mean the same as a 190° result?

No. In FaceIQ Labs' Facial Convexity (Nasion) guide, 170° describes a different profile bend from 180°, and a reflex result of 190° is not the same as 170°, even though the small geometric angle matches. Which side of 180° a result falls on changes its meaning. These example values explain the calculation and are not a target range.

Is 180° an ideal result for Facial Convexity (Nasion)?

FaceIQ Labs does not present 180° as an ideal or target for Facial Convexity (Nasion). Its guide treats 180° as the point where the nasion, subnasale and pogonion align, with lower values meaning convexity and higher values concavity, and says its example values are not a target range. The guide does not publish a numeric reference range; FaceIQ Labs states that its score weights and reference ranges are model settings.

Where does the Facial Convexity (Nasion) idea come from?

Soft-tissue convexity is part of clinical profile analysis, and FaceIQ Labs' Facial Convexity (Nasion) uses the visible nasion, subnasale and pogonion while preserving the distinction between convex and concave arrangements. The guide cites Holdaway (1984), a soft-tissue cephalometric analysis paper on orthodontic treatment planning, which explains how lip, chin and skeletal relationships must be considered together, with a range of profiles compatible with balance. FaceIQ Labs states that the papers it lists do not collectively validate its scoring system.

What are the limits of measuring Facial Convexity (Nasion) from a photo?

A profile photograph cannot establish skeletal jaw relationships or bite classification, so FaceIQ Labs' Facial Convexity (Nasion) reflects only the positions of visible soft-tissue landmarks. The guide suggests also comparing the Facial Convexity (Glabella) version, a separate guide in the same Harmony set.

How does Facial Convexity (Nasion) fit into FaceIQ Labs' scoring?

Facial Convexity (Nasion) belongs to the Harmony pillar of FaceIQ Labs' analysis, one of four pillars with Angularity, Dimorphism and Features. Harmony is weighted roughly 60% from the front photo and 40% from the side photo, and side photos are standardized to the Frankfort horizontal plane during landmarking. For accuracy, FaceIQ Labs recommends photos taken from six feet away with the back camera at 2x zoom, at eye level, with even lighting and a neutral expression.

Which other FaceIQ Labs side-view measurements are related?

FaceIQ Labs' Help Center lists eight guides related to Facial Convexity (Nasion) under Explore this region: Facial Convexity (Glabella), Total Facial Convexity, Facial Depth to Height Ratio, Orbital Vector, Interior Midface Projection Angle, Z Angle, Anterior Facial Depth and Eye Protrusion.

Frequently asked questions

What landmarks does FaceIQ Labs use for Facial Convexity (Nasion)?

FaceIQ Labs uses three landmarks: the nasion (nasal root), the subnasale (nose base) and the pogonion (the most forward point of the chin). The measurement is the oriented angle from nasion to subnasale to pogonion.

Can Facial Convexity (Nasion) tell me about my jaw or bite?

No. FaceIQ Labs states that a profile photograph cannot establish skeletal jaw relationships or bite classification, so the measurement reflects visible soft-tissue landmark positions only.

What is the difference between Facial Convexity (Nasion) and the Glabella version?

Facial Convexity (Nasion) uses the nasal root, nose base and chin, and excludes the projecting nose tip. FaceIQ Labs suggests comparing it with Facial Convexity (Glabella), a separate guide on a related profile convexity measurement.

Does the guide give a target range for Facial Convexity (Nasion)?

No. FaceIQ Labs says the example values in the guide explain the calculation and are not a target range, and that its score weights and reference ranges are model settings.