Can Rhinoplasty Narrow a Wide Nose and Still Look Natural?

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 with smiling-- the nostrils are typically widened with smiling. The facial muscles responsible for this are important for several functions so you would not want to sever them. you can prevent a nose from plunging with smiling, but it is much more difficult to prevent your nostrils (alar base) from widening with smiling --can you bring in my (alar base) and make my nostrils wider-- this is a complex three dimensional question which depends on what part of your nose you want wider.


There are a variety of grafts which can be placed in your nose which can help widen the nose in different areas but widening a too narrow nostril is generally one of the more difficult tasks in rhinoplasty --the key to bringing in a wide nose in without it looking unnatural-- planning, surgical experience, knowledge of sophisticated rhinoplasty techniques, etc. Good luck

So the problem is trying to operate on a feature that only occurs when smiling is that if it looks good while smiling then it may look narrow in neutral.  You have to be very careful with what you are asking for also known as a WEIR resection or alar base reduction.  We are aware of celebrities like Michael or Janet Jackson who's nostrils have been narrowed so much they look like they are glued to their face.  Additionally you need to make sure the nostrils are narrowed equally and repaired symmetrically otherwise the nostrils will not match.  So it can be done but very tricky

This is a difficult question to answer without seeing some photos. The nose has muscle associated with it that can appear to widen the nose when smiling, and not much can be done about that. The appearance of a wide nose is usually due to the tip, and this can be improved to make it look thinner while retaining a natural appearance. Sometimes working on the tip can affect the size of the ala, but if the ala are brought in using Weirs excisions, then the nostril size will be reduced. The best thing to do is see a surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty for a good evaluation.

Thank you for your questions, but a physical exam or at least a picture is really needed to give you an accurate answer for your specific case. Speaking generally, however, to make the nose less wide there is a procedure that can be performed during a rhinoplasty that uses an incision on the outside of the ala to make the nose narrower, called a “Weir procedure.” Depending on your specific anatomy, it might or might not influence the nostrils. This procedure when done properly and sewn with the utmost of care can create dramatic and stunning results, but if done without expertise, can make patients look unnatural. This is why it’s important to seek out a specialist in rhinoplasty surgery who has years of experience.

Narrowing the width of the ala will, by necessity, make your nostrils narrow as well. I do not know of a technique whereby the ala can be made immobile with smiling and would discourage you from it as it would make you look strange. However, narrowing the width of the ala will make that widening with smiling appear less significant overall.

Everyone's nose widens with smiling or laughing, and surgery may not prevent this. If your nasal ala are wide and flaring at rest, we may elect to narrow the ala by excising a few millimeters of redundant skin on each nostril so the scar is placed inconspicuously at the base of your nose.If you have specific questions about your nose, consider re-asking your query with photos.Hope this helps.Dr Joseph

The way to address nose alar width is to perform so called Weir excision - removal of the fragment of nostril and to hide it in the nasal crease I use this technique in about 50% of rhinoplasties3D imaging will help to discuss your case when you come for a consultation

Correct, a rhinoplasty can narrow the bridge and tip of your nose with natural results. Discuss your expectations with your surgeon during the consultation stage and be vocal about the results you want to achieve so that you can ensure your treatment is bespoke. 

Wide nasal ala can certainly be narrowed and have the results remain natural.  It is normal for there to be some flare when someone smiles and laughs.  An exam would be necessary, but for many people, strengthening the tip of the nose or release of one of the muscles that attaches to the septum helps diminish tip droop as well as widening of the lower third of the nose with smiling.  See a rhinoplasty specialist who can evaluate your individual anatomy and review options to address your areas of concern.  All the best!

There are several ways to change the shape of the nostrils to make the nose appear narrower and thinner so the nostrils are in better balance with your tip.  Some people have a wide alar base and others have more flaring of the nostrils than a wide alar base.  Others have both.  Depending on the type of nose you have, different procedures can be performed to give you the best, and more importantly, the most natural result.  Frequently, patients ask for a smaller nostrils because they don't like that their nose spreads when they smile.  Please keep in mind that the nose will still spread when you smile after rhinoplasty but it won't be as wide.   Also, if you have a wide tip, and the nostrils are brought in, the tip may not match the nostril size or shape.  In this case, it's important to make sure that the tip is in proportion to the nostrils.  Similarly, if the tip is reduced, the upper part of the bridge may need to be narrowed to balance the remainder of the nose.  Yes, it can all look very natural if you see a rhinoplasty specialist who understands balancing the different features of your nose. 

Hi and yes, the nostrils can be narrowed with an alar base excision.  Surgery can not prevent the nose from widening with smiling as this completely normal, but excessive width of the nostrils can be treated while maintaining a natural look.