Will Alar Base Reduction Make Bulbous Tip Worse?

 One can perform alar base reduction with correction of a bulbous tip simultaneously. If one does one procedure without the other it may exacerbate the asymmetry. These operative procedures require skill and expertise of a rhinoplasty surgeon as well as a detailed preoperative analysis with precise planning and execution.

Alar base reduction will simply reduce the size of the alar flare and alar bases. It will not make a bulbous tip any worse whatsoever. The swelling of a bulbous tip rhinoplasty procedure will actually stay swollen for upwards of a year.

Hi Michelle,

Despite what you have heard, the nose and rhinoplasty do obey Newton's Law's of physics, "What goes up (swelling) must come down!"  Your bulbous nasal tip can be made smaller and more attractive with properly performed rhinoplasty.  Alarplasty will make your nostrils smaller by the removal of tissue.  If your nose bothers you enough, you should not hesitate to consult with experienced and skilled rhinoplasty surgeons, and then choose your surgeon most carefully.

As for me, I'm going to go toss an apple in the air and have a bite when it comes down.  Good luck and be well.

Dr. P