I feel my nostrils are too visible. What could be done to correct them and give my face a more balanced look? (Photos)

Alar plasty would be a good option to narrow the nostrils for you.  However reducing the distance between the lip and the nose by doing a lip lift can distort your smile and is not a good option.RegardsDr. J

Hello and thank you for your question.  Although an exam in person is ideal, from your photographs alone it appears that you can benefit from a tip rhinoplasty where the nasal tip cartilage is modified for a more refined, feminine, and less bulbous look.  The modification of your nasal cartilage can be done with trimming, stitching or grafting.  In terms of your nostrils specifically, alar contour grafts can help make them less visible. If your septum is deviated and you have breathing difficulty, a septoplasty may benefit you as well.  The next step for you is to find the right aesthetic plastic surgeon.  In your rhinoplasty consultation, be sure your surgeon addresses all your aesthetic goals and concerns specifically, and discusses the surgery details including the position and size of the incisions used (with actual photographs and not just digital animations), the risks and benefits of the procedure, recovery time, and post-operative course.  Also, be sure to see plenty of before-and-after pictures in women who have a similar nose appearance to yours, and preferably at different time frames (3 weeks out, 3 months out, etc) to more accurately predict your own surgical outcome.

After seeking out a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery, I think the most important component of the consultation is to establish a good connection with your plastic surgeon.  It’s the connection that allows you to clearly define your desired nose outcome goals, the first step of this whole process. If you don’t feel you have a good connection with your plastic surgeon after your consultation, he/she may not be the best surgeon for you.

For more information on rhinoplasty, please refer to my link below.

Good luck.

Mark K Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS

Harvard-trained Board Certified Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Hello and thank you for the question and sharing your photos. You will likely benefit from a rhinoplasty procedure focusing on refining of your nasal tip and alar base reduction. My best advice is that you discuss your concerns and aesthetic goals with a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in performing rhinoplasty. I would ask to see before and after pictures of their real patients. It's important that you trust your surgeon's skills and ability to achieve the results you are looking for. In particular, pay attention to your surgeon's experience with rhinoplasty. Best,
Pejman Aflaki, M.D.

Johns Hopkins-trained double board-certified plastic surgeon