Procedure for Nose That Widens with Smile?

asked 2 years ago by sweetchildofmine
Latest answer by William Portuese, MD
Question viewed 3,333 times
Tags: nose, skin, thin

When I smile, my nose ''spreads'' across my face. Is there a procedure to stop me from getting this with a rhinoplasty? Will alar base procedure stop this? Also, I read about doctors being able to ''thin the skin'' on rhinoplasty patients with thick skin how is this performed, and is this the same as nasal smas? Thank you.

9 answers to Procedure for Nose That Widens with Smile?

Increased Nasal Width When Smiling

If you are unhappy with the width of the nasal base at rest (without facial animation) the base can be narrowed or thinned depending on your particular needs. I will not describe all the alternative techniques; there are many choices. If the nose "spreads" only when smiling, there is little that can be done surgically. I do suggest a good consultation.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Nasal widening with smiling

Nasal widening with smiling is very common. Typically, this is the result of activity of the nasal alar or dilator alar muscles. It can be more profound in people with widened alar bases or nostrils to begin with. Certainly, narrowing the alar base can reduce the width of the nostrils and may also make it more static when smiling if the resultant narrowing disrupts the muscles that cause the widening to begin with. To thin the skin of the nose can be done but should be approached with... more

Scott Trimas, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty questions

In the course of performing an alar base procedure, many surgeons incorporate an alar cinching suture that restricts lateral movement of the nostril with smiling. Patients may even complain that they are aware of this tightness when smiling after surgery. The long term benefits of this suture are questionable. Botulinum Toxin preparations in the nasal muscles may help but is of temporary benefit. It may drop your upper lip slightly as well. Thinning of the skin must be done judiciously... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Options for nose that widens upon smiling

It is impossible to prevent the nose from widening when smiling. Botox might help with this, but it would end up paralyzing the smile muscle, which is an undesirable result. The rhinoplasty operation is a static operation on the nose, which does not move. Narrowing the nose can certainly be done, but the nose will still widen when smiling even from the more narrow approach after a rhinoplasty.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Your nose that widens when you smile can be helped.

All noses widen with a smile. But if your nose widens too far it can be helped. An operation to narrow the side walls (Wier excision) or to significantly narrow the whole lower nostril area (alar base narrowing) may make your problem less noticeable. Also, the more prominent the tip, the less wide the nose will appear (tip rhinoplasty), Selective use of Botox, although short-lived, may be the 'icing on the cake'.

G. Gregory Gallico III, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

Nose widens with smile

Everyone's nose widens when smiling. THis can't really be treated. If you are unhappy with the width in repose( when not smiling) then this can be treated. As for the skin, it is really not advisable to try to thin it out. It may leave depressions in the skin when it heals.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty and Facial Balance

It is difficult if not impossible to keep the base of the nose from moving when you smile, and so I wouldn't set this as one of your goals for surgery. However, there is a natural balance between the width of the nose and the width of the mouth when your face is resting (no movement). Some folks have noses that are wider that this ideal, and so it throws off the balance of their central face. Reducing the width of the alar base can narrow the base of the nose and improve this balance,... more

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.drsalemy.com

Nose that widens when smiling

Because the alar base of your nose is not directly attached to bone, when you smile, your cheeks pull back and drag the nose with them widening your nose. This is really hard to fix and probably not advisable to try. Just understand that it is normal and happens to everybody to some degree....

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Nose that widens with smile

"When I smile, my nose ''spreads'' across my face. Is there a procedure to stop me from getting this with a rhinoplasty?" - If you are happy with the width of the nose at rest, I would NOT recommend narrowing it. You MAY try an off label use of Botox to weaken the muscles that pull the soft (cartilaginous) wall sideways. But be aware that this may make taking in a deep breath quickly hard as well. Thinning nasal skin has ALWAYS been dangerous because of the resulting... more