I like the size and shape of my nose, but I do not like how my nostrils flare up even when they are relaxed. I am part Latino, and I understand that nostril flare is common among non-white people. Is it possible to reduce only nostril flare (and leave the rest of the nose alone) during Rhinoplasty? What are special risks associated with this surgery? Is this a major surgery with a lot of downtime? Is it a common surgery? Relatively hard to perform? I've never had any reconstructive facial surgery before. Thank you very much in advance for any information!
Answer: Flaring nostrils can be difficult to treat Flaring nostrils is a very difficult problem to deal with in the field of rhinoplasty. If there is a lot of notching upwards of the nostril rim, a composite graft of cartilage and skin can be taken from the ear and inserted up on the inside of the nostril to bring the flaring downwards. The wide nostrils can be narrowed with an alarplasty technique. The risks with this surgery are trying to get both nostrils perfectly even, which is difficult to do, since there is cartilage and skin grafting performed. In addition to that, there is always preexisting asymmetries, and it is important not to exacerbate this during the surgery. Regarding the surgery itself, there is not a whole lot of downtime with this other than some sutures placed on the inside of the nose and up inside the crease of the upper portion of the ear. For many before and after examples of rhinoplasty, please see the link and the video below
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Flaring nostrils can be difficult to treat Flaring nostrils is a very difficult problem to deal with in the field of rhinoplasty. If there is a lot of notching upwards of the nostril rim, a composite graft of cartilage and skin can be taken from the ear and inserted up on the inside of the nostril to bring the flaring downwards. The wide nostrils can be narrowed with an alarplasty technique. The risks with this surgery are trying to get both nostrils perfectly even, which is difficult to do, since there is cartilage and skin grafting performed. In addition to that, there is always preexisting asymmetries, and it is important not to exacerbate this during the surgery. Regarding the surgery itself, there is not a whole lot of downtime with this other than some sutures placed on the inside of the nose and up inside the crease of the upper portion of the ear. For many before and after examples of rhinoplasty, please see the link and the video below
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Both can be reduced Both nostril size size and alar flare can be reduced with surgery, using a combination of nostril sill or alar base excisions. I typically only recommend these in patients whose noses are very wide and are bothered by it, as the scarring in this area is a bit more unpredictable than under the columella, and in a small percentage of patients may be visible, so patients have to be willing to take that risk. Otherwise it's not worth it. -David Mattos, Harvard trained plastic surgeon
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Both can be reduced Both nostril size size and alar flare can be reduced with surgery, using a combination of nostril sill or alar base excisions. I typically only recommend these in patients whose noses are very wide and are bothered by it, as the scarring in this area is a bit more unpredictable than under the columella, and in a small percentage of patients may be visible, so patients have to be willing to take that risk. Otherwise it's not worth it. -David Mattos, Harvard trained plastic surgeon
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July 29, 2019
Answer: Reducing nostril flare Very good question. Reducing nostril flare in my opinion is one of the hardest and most commonly incorrectly performed parts of a rhinoplasty. First of all yes you can reduce your flaring without touching the rest of your nose and I do that often. Second the pain and downtime is not too bad. The key is to make sure your surgeon shows you many examples of his or her nostril reductions. So often the nostrils are left mishapened asymmetric and over reduced. Once this happens it is nearly impossible to correct. Ask to see what"s called the worms eye view or the base view from underneath. This shows a lot of these irregularities. Also make sure you look for the scars as many times it is visible hence defeating the purpose of having the procedure done. Good luck
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Answer: Reducing nostril flare Very good question. Reducing nostril flare in my opinion is one of the hardest and most commonly incorrectly performed parts of a rhinoplasty. First of all yes you can reduce your flaring without touching the rest of your nose and I do that often. Second the pain and downtime is not too bad. The key is to make sure your surgeon shows you many examples of his or her nostril reductions. So often the nostrils are left mishapened asymmetric and over reduced. Once this happens it is nearly impossible to correct. Ask to see what"s called the worms eye view or the base view from underneath. This shows a lot of these irregularities. Also make sure you look for the scars as many times it is visible hence defeating the purpose of having the procedure done. Good luck
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August 2, 2016
Answer: Alar-plasty may be considered for reducing the size of flaring nostrils. In our experience, it is unusual for an isolated alarplasty to be performed without tip work - many with Hispanic flaring nostrils have oily tip skin and sometimes bulbous, droopy nasal tips.Feel free to re-ask your question with photos, or consider consulting with several rhinoplasty specialists so you could see what might be best for you.Hope this helps.Dr Joseph
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Answer: Alar-plasty may be considered for reducing the size of flaring nostrils. In our experience, it is unusual for an isolated alarplasty to be performed without tip work - many with Hispanic flaring nostrils have oily tip skin and sometimes bulbous, droopy nasal tips.Feel free to re-ask your question with photos, or consider consulting with several rhinoplasty specialists so you could see what might be best for you.Hope this helps.Dr Joseph
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July 3, 2015
Answer: Reduction in nostril flare This is a common correction and can be accomplished with only local anesthesia or mild sedation if you are an anxious type person. The surgery consists of excising a small amount of the nostril at the lateral base where it meets the cheek. This is certainly not a major surgery and the downtime is minimal. You would have sutures in for 1 week. There are scars in the crease of where the nose meets the cheek. The most common complication is that the scar is conspicuous after surgery. This is more common in people with thicker, oilier skin. Usually the incisions heal well and are difficult to see after a few months.
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Answer: Reduction in nostril flare This is a common correction and can be accomplished with only local anesthesia or mild sedation if you are an anxious type person. The surgery consists of excising a small amount of the nostril at the lateral base where it meets the cheek. This is certainly not a major surgery and the downtime is minimal. You would have sutures in for 1 week. There are scars in the crease of where the nose meets the cheek. The most common complication is that the scar is conspicuous after surgery. This is more common in people with thicker, oilier skin. Usually the incisions heal well and are difficult to see after a few months.
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August 8, 2016
Answer: Reduce the nasal base and nostril flare And it is certainly possible to reduce only the nostril flare and leave the rest of the nose alone. That being said, it is important to make sure the more narrow nasal base continues to be in proportion to the size of the tip. Often nasal flayer surgery (typically called "alar base reduction"), requires incisions placed on the outside of the nose hitting between the nostril and the cheek skin. Perform correctly, it leaves a relatively unnoticeable scar. Furthermore, the nostril size itself can be corrected and reshaped.The limitation to nostril flare size narrowing is that the nostrils wide and upon smiling. The extent to which they wide and is due to the muscle action of the cheeks. This is a variable that cannot be corrected during surgery.
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Answer: Reduce the nasal base and nostril flare And it is certainly possible to reduce only the nostril flare and leave the rest of the nose alone. That being said, it is important to make sure the more narrow nasal base continues to be in proportion to the size of the tip. Often nasal flayer surgery (typically called "alar base reduction"), requires incisions placed on the outside of the nose hitting between the nostril and the cheek skin. Perform correctly, it leaves a relatively unnoticeable scar. Furthermore, the nostril size itself can be corrected and reshaped.The limitation to nostril flare size narrowing is that the nostrils wide and upon smiling. The extent to which they wide and is due to the muscle action of the cheeks. This is a variable that cannot be corrected during surgery.
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