How can I correct my nostril asymmetry? (Photo)

Question

The bottom potion of my nose is completely unsymmetrical. While some asymmetry is normal, mine is too noticeable for my liking. One ala is larger than the other, the alar base on (my) right is positioned higher than the other, it appears that my tip is off center and my collumellar base is completely unaligned with the rest of my nose. What procedures would be used to correct this asymmetry? Alar base reduction? Would this be a difficult rhinoplasty?

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photograph, you may benefit from a tip refining rhinoplasty. Your surgeon can accomplish this by trimming, suturing, and reshaping the cartilage in your lower nose. Cartilage grafts may also be used to help improve tip refinement. Alar base reduction may also be helpful. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Based on your singular photo, it would not be possible to address all of your questions. Additionally, it might be helpful if you could describe what you are looking to achieve other than nasal symmetry. Thank you.

Lexie Wang, MD · Answer

"While some asymmetry is normal, mine is too noticeable for my liking. " -- you said it all. This is a normal amount of asymmetry. On first glance, I don't even see anything asymmetric. Most likely your nose is "normally symmetric" but you just notice it more because it's your nose. One thing to keep in mind is that when you are talking about nostril sizes, part if it is determined by your nasal aperture (bone) as well as what your maxilla and the rest of the facial skeleton looks like. A lot of people who think their noses are crooked will find that the nose is actually just tilting along what the maxilla is doing - a quick check for this is whether the tip seems to align where the center of your upper lip and/or incisors is located. If it does, then your tip is actually "straight" in how it is aligned to the rest of your face.

How can I correct my nostril asymmetry? (Photo)

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How can I correct my nostril asymmetry? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Revision Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.