I have a round tip that widens too much when smiling. Would rhinoplasty mess up my overall facial appearance? (Photo)

Dear sweetbeastIt is certainly common to want to improve on aspects of a facial feature. In your case, you want your nose to have a more refined look and not to detract from your full smile. Changes to your nose with rhinoplasty are directed and controlled. Sometimes, only some of what you desire can be achieved and sometimes all. In your case a more defined tip with more harmony to the narrowness of your dorsum and mid-nose can be achieved. To narrow your base-width when you smile is a bit more challenging as that is a dynamic rather than a static change. Techniques to narrow alar base can be used with moderate improvement and high safety. Look for experienced rhinoplasty surgeons who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. See more than one consult. Take your time. If you felt you can achieve your goals safely, have the procedure. I think you will be pleasantly surprised!!! 

No one ever
"needs" a rhinoplasty. It is an elective procedure and only you can
determine if your nasal features concern you enough to do something about
improving the cosmetic appearance of your nose and whether it would be
worthwhile.Improving the nostril
width and refining a flaring bulbous tip are frequent requests of patients
wanting nasal refinement. It is possible to improve the cosmetic appearance of
the tip alone without altering the rest of the nose in some patients. Whether the
optimal option in your particular situation would be a tip rhinoplasty alone or
a full rhinoplasty would best be determined at a consultation. Either procedure
can be performed with a closed or open approach

Following the advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes
to tell you exactly what to do based on limited 2 dimensional photos without
examiningyou, physically feeling the
tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical history, and
discussing the pros and cons of the operative procedure would not be in your
best interest. I would suggest you find a plastic surgeon with extensive nasal
surgery experience who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
(ASAPS) or a facial plastic surgeon (ENT) that you trust and are comfortable
with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person.

Additional information
about the procedure will help you decide if it is a procedure that you want to
pursue.


Robert Singer, MD FACS

La Jolla, California

Thank you for your question.  The issues you have with your nose are correctable.  Tip refinement will give you more definition.  Strengthening the tip will allow it to resist the pull from your smile and not widen as much.  See a rhinoplasty specialist in your area who can help you obtain the improved, but natural looking results you are hoping for.