Will Ear Cartilage in Tip for Rhino Augmentation Feel Soft and Flexible? Almost Like Original Nose?

Thank you for your question.  Most commonly nasal septal cartilage or ear cartilage is used for tip grafting.  Using your own cartilage to revise your nasal tip should produce a softer more natural result than a silicon graft.

Nasal septal cartilage is by far the most common material used for tip grafting during rhinoplasty.  If however you have had an SMR and have no available septal cartilage left, the ear cartilage graft should work well.

 An L-shaped strut does feel quite stiff in the nose, and consequently we did not use them. We use small silastic (Flowers)nasal dorsal implants as a simple wafer to add  height to the nasal bridge, and they tend to feel quite natural.   Rib cartilage is hard and stiff and tends to ossify and become more stiff as people age. Ear cartilage is also more stiff in the nose the nasal cartilage. 

Silicone grafts can be undesirable for exactly the reasons your mention: they feel hard and unnatural. They can also be at a risk for infection or extrusion (coming through skin) down the line. Rib cartilage is a good substitute but can also feel hard. Ear cartilage is a little softer and feels more natural than rib or silicone. Septal cartilage is also softer.  I hope this helps. 

Best. 

Dr. Richard Zoumalan

Facial Plastic Surgeon