Can Rhinoplasty narrow a wide nose and still look natural?

my nostrils are very small but my ala is really wide esspecially when i laugh. Is there a way the doctor can bring in my ala or prevent it from spreading when i laugh! without again affecting my nostrils? or are there ways to bring it in and make my nostrills bigger?

how can a wide nose be brought in without it appearing unnatural?

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6 answers to “Can Rhinoplasty narrow a wide nose...”

A: Narrowing the nostrils can make a wide nose appear less wide

By Scott Trimas, MD - Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Narrowing the nostrils can make a wide nose appear less wide. The procedure to narrow the nostrils is called alar base reduction. Carefully done this scar can be minimized under the shadows of the nose or in the sill underneath the nostrils. With proper surgical technique, the size and shape of the ala can... more

A: Narrowing A Wide Nose

By C. Spencer Cochran, MD - Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

Nostril reduction surgery (called Alarplasty / Alar Base Reduction) is a procedure that can narrow the width of the nostril base, decrease the amount of nostril flaring, and/or decrease the size of the nostrils. It is important to realize that the smile muscles can pull the base of the nose up and outward even... more

A: Refining & Narrowing Your Nose...

By David Mabrie, MD - Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

Great question! Yes - In general, rhinoplasty surgery can narrow a wide nose and still look natural. A few things you may want to consider... First, which part of the nose would you like to narrow, the upper portion (called the dorsum or bridge)? If so, this procedure is performed under... more

A: Nostril Flaring

By Daniel Reichner, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

There are two operations that might be just right for you. Nostril flaring is related to the action of the dilator nasalis muscles. These muscles are used as accessory muscles of respiration during times of respiratory distress; they are partially responsible for 'nasal flaring'... more

A: Wide Noses

By Anil R. Shah, MD - Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon

You asked a few different questions so here are answers: -- can you reduce the size of my alar base without reducing the size of my nostrils-- yes, alar base reduction can be performed a variety of techniques not all of which will reduce the size of your nostril. --can you prevent my nostrils from widening... more

A: Rhinoplasty and Natural Results

By Michael A. Persky, MD - Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Hi nosechanger, The answers to your questions are yes. There are techniques that can make your lateral nasal alae smaller so that when you smile they do not spread so much. Your lateral nostril may be a little smaller, but still retain a natural appearance. A wide nose can be "brought... more

Comments

barbara S.
1 post
14 Mar 2009

I had my wide nostrils narrowed. After the surgery it made the lines along the side of my nose much more apparent, deep and unnatural looking, especially when I smile. Two years after the surgery I still can't get past it. I also have some slight webbing under one of the nostrils that never went away. What are my options? (besides ANOTHER surgery)

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