Hollows/dents around nostrils - can rhinoplasty fix these? (Photos)

Question

I have searched constantly to try and understand what part of anatomy this is but cannot find it on anyone else's nose. My nostrils have these weird angular dents/hollows around the nostrils, making a very harsh shadow and angular shape around them. They are literally like hollows/flat denta when the area should be smooth. I can see the edge of the cartilage there (if that makes sense). To me it looks extremely weird/unnatural. I want a rhinoplasty for other reasons (dorsal hump) and am worried how this will complicate it. Can cartilage or something be added to fill the "dents"? Is there a name for these?

C. Carson Huynh, MD, DMD, FACS · Answer

Hello. From your photos, those hollows are usually from a deep alar crease or concave lower lateral cartilage, not a separate problem that blocks rhinoplasty. I typically address this at the same time as the dorsal hump with cartilage grafts to support and smooth that area. The goal is a nose that still looks like you, not a filled-in look.

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

... like the flat faces, "facets" of a diamond. They are completely natural and are usually considered attractive. They are exactly as you describe: an area between the front end of the nostril hole and the bottom edge of the tip cartilage, and since there's no cartilage in that space, the skin is flat there, and you can see the bottom edge of the tip cartilage if the skin is thin enough. I suppose it could be possible to fill them out, but it's almost never done, because it probably wouldn't work great, or it would end up looking as though there were a little unnatural bump there. Or, if work on the tip cartilages were done, for example to elevate or narrow the tip, doing something to the facets might not even be necessary, even in your eyes.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Based on these photos, you are asking about correction of soft triangles between tip and nostrils? These can be corrected during regular open rhinoplasty providing cartilage support by means of butterfly cartilage grafts. In person consultation with  an experienced board certified plastic surgeon, expert in rhinoplasty, is recommended. Good luck.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photographs, you may benefit from a rhinoplasty. A surgeon can accomplish this by trimming, suturing, and reshaping the cartilage in your lower nose. Fascial grafts may also be used to help improve tip refinement. Those contour irregularities can be made smoother as well. Make sure you are going to a surgeon with hundreds of long-term before and after pictures on their website with standardized lighting and standardized backgrounds. With good surgical technique, you could have an outstanding result. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

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

Best wishes and good luck.

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

Hollows/dents around nostrils - can rhinoplasty fix these? (Photos)

Answers (4)

More Rhinoplasty Questions

Can I have a very subtle isolated columella reduction without changing the rest of my nose? (Photos)

What is the most minimal procedure to reduce my bulbous nose? (Photos)

Septorhinoplaty and Chin Augmentation - should they be performed together? Do I need both? (Photos)

Do I have pollybeak deformity? (Photo)

Dermis vs fascia? Is one better to use for bridge augmentation?

Can rhinoplasty lessen the alar crease? (Photos)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS