I have a bulbous nose - does it look like I need an alarplasty? (Photo)

Question

Does a nose like mine need alarplasty ?

Donald B. Yoo, MD, FACS · Answer

A rhinoplasty specialist will be able to comprehensively address the issues you have with your nose.  Alar base modification is an effective way to reduce the flare and/or width of the nostrils. Excess width can be reduced with sill incisions, excess flare with Weir incisions, and excess flare + width addressed with a combined Weir+sill incision. However, there is an important relationship between the proportion of the width of the nostrils relative to the width of the tip, and if the nostril width is reduced without addressing the width of the tip - it will appear even more bulbous in comparison. Depending on the thickness of your skin, you may need some degree of tip projection to achieve a refined tip.  Without projection it will be difficult to see the changes made underneath the skin.  If you want the best idea of what is possible for your nose, do your due diligence, find an experienced surgeon, and have him/her evaluate you in person and discuss your options. @drdonyoo

Joseph Shvidler, MD · Answer

Bulbous nose is usually a term that refers to the shape and size of the tip. Ala are the wings that are alongside the tip. You could have a situation where you can have both a bulbous tip and large flaring wide ala. Alarplasty will only address a wide large and flaring ala, while a tip-plasty could address a bulbous wide tip.

I have a bulbous nose - does it look like I need an alarplasty? (Photo)

Answers (2)

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