Can Alar Base Alone Fix Wide Nostrils and Nasal Base?

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 profile and a base view of your nose. On front view it appears that your columella is retracted or there may be poor tip support. The profile view would enable me to see if your nose is... 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 nose. I also cannot evaluate your profile. Spend time to get a complete evaluation.

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 benefit from reduction of that cartilage as well. Good luck!

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 also be due to underprojected or weak nasal tip and cartilage. Alar base reduction may be performed at the same time as a full rhinoplasty, or separately on its own. Only after a comprehensive... 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.

Yes an alar base reduction will reduce the width of your nose. But looking at this single view, it also appears that you have a retracted columella. This may also need to be addressed during the surgery. A side or "worm's eye" view would be beneficial in this regard. Discuss these options with your surgeon.

Hi, Aside from alar width, your nose is straight and you appear on this photo to have good bridge and tip contour. I assume you are happy with your profile. If your only concern about your nose is your nostril flare and width, then an alar base procedure can definitely accomplish what you are looking for. You must remember two things though: 1. Anything that is done to one aspect of the nose can alter the appearance of every other aspect. So, narrowing the nostrils a fair bit can... more

After looking at your photo is looks like your nostrils are extra wide for your facial features. The other view that would help is the basal view looking from below. An alar base resection would improve the flaring of the nostrils but this has to be kept in balance with the tip and columella. The surgeon would need to examine these structures and see how one change might affect the other. I don't think you need a full nose job but you might need a tip rhinoplasty to go with alar base... more

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 nostrils while not fixing an underprojected tip would be the wrong thing to do because the nose would not be well balanced. Be sure to find a rhinoplasty surgeon who has extensive experience to... 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. Recovery will take 1-2 weeks with avoidance of contact sports for 6 months. Good luck!

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 surgeon most carefully. Good luck and be well. Dr. P