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

Question

I really dislike how wide my nose spreads when I smile, and I would also like the round, bulbous tip to be more refined. However, I don’t HATE its overall appearance, and I think my profile view is actually pretty good. Do you think a rhinoplasty would it help me achieve more facial balance (frontal and/or side), or would it be more like taking a major risk for a couple of minor problems?

Afshin Parhiscar, MD · Answer

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!!!

Sirius K. Yoo, MD · Answer

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.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

The rhinoplasty procedure can address several issues in the nose such as narrowing bulbous tip, shaving down the dorsal hump, and narrowing wide nostrils. Unfortunately, the nose will still widen  to some degree even after a rhinoplasty due to the facial muscle attachments to the base of the nose

Edward Farrior, MD · Answer

You are a beautiful young women with a great smile and captivating eyes. A well performed rhinoplasty would not change any of that.  I always council my patients that the most realistic approach for a rhinoplasty is the elimination of a distraction that will result in the improved appearance of the face overall. By refining the nose the eyes and the smile become what people are aware of. You can indeed change the tip of your nose without changing the profile.

Jason Litner, MD · Answer

Hi,Many patients have similar misgivings. You don't hate your nose, but you really dislike certain aspects of it, like when you smile. When I hear these sentiments, it generally tells me that it's worth at least exploring what a rhinoplasty can do for you. More tip support will help alleviate the concerns you have about tip spread with smiling and will enhance your facial balance. An experienced rhinoplasty surgeon can review your concerns and do computer imaging to give you a real honest sense of what surgery can do for you. That way, you can decide if proceeding with surgery makes sense for you.All the best,Jason Litner, MD

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

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

Fred Suess, MD (retired) · Answer

Refining your nasal tip and narrowing the base of your nose would bring your nose into greater harmony with the narrow upper part of your nose.

Vincent D. Lepore, MD (retired) · Answer

Although, any cosmetic surgery cares risks, the subtle changes you are seeking in your nasal tip and ala are reasonable desires.  Tip rhinoplasty, with possible alar narrowing, can be achieved with relatively low risk of complication. If you are interested seek out a board certified plastic surgeon with extensive rhinoplasty experience.  Best wishes, Dr Lepore.

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

Answers (8)

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