Can Alar Base alone fix wide nostrils and nasal base?

An alar base can certainly be narrowed through a simple alarplasty by removing a 3- to 4-mm wedge of skin at the floor of the nose. A full nose job does not need to be performed if the only thing that is bothering the patient is a wide alar base.

While your alar base is slightly wide, it looks as though the tip may not be projecting as much as it should, or may be slightly droopy. A side picture may help determine this.  When the tip is fixed or projected better, that can often improve the appearance of flared nostrils. Just reducing the... more

Narrowing the alar base will definitely be beneficial. Decreasing the tip width and improving the tip contour should also be considered. It sounds like you are motivated to get the best possible result. Although not clear in your picture, it appears you may have slight narrowing in the middle portion of your... more

Sara, It looks as if your alar base is actually well proportioned to your face and eye width.  It is more likely, as you have suggested, that your nostrils are flared.  Along with the flaring there appears to be some cartilage excess adding to the wideness of your tip.  You would probably... more

On the photo that you have provided it appears that your nostrils are disproportionately wide relative to the width of your face and even the tip of your nose. On this view it would appear that reduction of the nasal base would certainly help with this finding. What I would find more helpful would be a... more

It appears as though you may need a combination of things to accomplish your aesthetic goals.  This will require a full rhinoplasty, consisting of alar base reduction with narrowing of the nostrils as well.  Reducing the width of your nasal tip may also help to narrow the appearance of your nose... more

Based on this single photograph, the base of your nose is unbalanced with the rest of your nose and face. Will need more photographic views to determine if the nose is wide, nostrils flared, or combination. The imbalance in your nose is usually due to extra soft tissue on the nostril rims, but may... more

Hi Nosey, You may not need a "full" nose job, but you will likely benefit from additional tip work to compliment your Alar base reduction and flare.  The tip work would likely include lateral crus strut cartilage grafts, and refinement of your bulbous nasal tip. Do choose your rhinoplasty... more

We would have to see your know from several different angles to give you overall advice.  From the view that you show, it does look like alar base resection would make a positive change for you.  Good luck with your surgery. 

There are many different variations to alar base reductions depending upon your needs. It can treat flare, width, and nostril size.  Other views of your nose are essential to evaluate and an in -office exam is essential.