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.