What is an Alar Base Reduction?

Alar base reduction is used when the size of the nostrils are disproportionally enlarged relative to the nasal tip and also the position of the eyes. The nostril can be addressed with alar base reduction when the nostril is flared due to a wide nasal base, or the nostril can be narrowed with alar wedge excisions when the nasal base is not particularly wide but the nostrils are large and flare.

The lower aspect of the nose consists of the tip of nose as it blends with the nostrils. Typically we want to see a soft triangular tip that blends nicely with the nostrils. We don't want the tip or the nostrils to be too wide or pinched. Most people also do not like too much flaring in the nostrils. An alar base reduction is a technique that reduces the size of large or glaring nostrils. With this technique, we can narrow the nostrils, reduce nostril flaring, and/or correct asymmetry of the nostrils. For most of my patients, I usually also recommend addressing the tip of the nose to create a balance and harmony in the final result. Alar base modification is typically utilized in African-American, Asian and Hispanic patients, but is also commonly done in Caucasian and Middle-Eastern (Arab and Iranian) individuals who have wide and flared nostrils.

Alar base resection is when you reduce the size of the nostril or the flaring alar. This can be done based upon the pre-operative analysis of the patient and, in general, is performed to correct nasal nostril disharmony, especially on one who has excess nasal base widening and flaring.

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, or decrease the size of the nostrils.
To accomplish this, the surgeon makes an incision in the crease where the nostril wall meets the cheek. A wedge shaped piece of nostril wall is removed, and when the incision is sewn close, the nostril narrowing is acheived.
It is possible to perform this procedure alone or as part of a rhinoplasty. It can be performed alone, but keep in mind that in order for the nose to appear natural, it must adhere to certain proportions and also be in balance with the other facial features.

 This means taking out a wedge of skin from the bottom of the nostrils for patients who have a wide nose. The scar is hidden in the crease of the nose.

 Alar base reduction is a technique that is used to narrow the nostril with and enhance the shape. It is generally used with ethnic rhinoplasty.  There are stitches that are placed at the junction of the nose and cheek.  The incisions are well-hidden and are concealed nicely once healed.  

Hi,
Alar base reduction is narrowing of the bottom of the nose or the "base".  Most commonly this is performed by removing a wedge of skin from the bottom lateral corner of the nostril where it meets the face.
Dr. P

Alar base reductions are also known as Weir’s excisions for alarplasty. This is a simple 3- to 4-mm excision of skin at the base and sill of the nose to reduce the alar flare and bring in the nostril width. Sutures that are used are dissolvable and fall out in about a week.

An alar base reduction can take care of many things. It can treat large nostrils, flare and width.  There are many variations to the procedure as it is customized to each specific patient's needs.

This is commonly done in ethnic rhinoplasty, such as African American rhinoplasty or Asian rhinoplasty, to bring the nostril base into better proportion with the rest of the face. Occasionally we do it for other patients as well, if they have really large nostrils, or we need to make the tip smaller and closer to the face which in term can make the nostrils appear wider. It is a simple procedure, but it has to be meticulously done to avoid visible scars.