What is the extent of alar base reduction scars?

 In 30 years of doing noses, I have never had an objectionable scar (to the patient) from alar base incisions. BUT I never make the kind that go outside the floor of the nostril--not under the outside part of the nostril. These almost always heal poorly and many patients complain about the scar,  

The incision for alar base reduction should be planned so that the resulting scar comes to rest in the crease between the nose and the face.  If alar base reduction is indicated to improve the cosmetic appearance of your nose, the minimal scar of a properly perfomed excision should affect your decision to... more

Alar base reduction is a procedure to narrow the width of the alar base. It is performed with incisions into the area around the nostrils. The shape and extent of the incisions varies with the type of narrowing required. This is a complex three dimensional area and the shape and length of the incision are... more

The scars on the alar base reduction are present on the inside of the sill and nostril and floor of the nose. They are indiscernible and imperceptible when an alar base reduction is performed properly.