Too much nostril show - what procedure can improve this? (Photos)

Hello! Thank you for your question.
As far as I can see from your photos specifically, techniques within rhinoplasty may be used to:Lengthen the nose tip (reducing the rotation).Graft cartilage to the columella or alar rims to lower the nostril edges. Adjust the alar base (nostril flare and shape). Rhinoplasty or Revision Rhinoplasty is the standard procedure to address this concern. A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is necessary for a precise treatment plan.
Best Regards!

From the photos it appears that you have an alar retraction, which can happen naturally or following surgery. To correct this a surgeon would need to release or loosen up the ala and place the alar rim graft or an alar strut graft.

You need an invasive, challenging but very rewarding for both patient and surgeon multigrafting structure rhinoplasty to achieve:
-nasal lenghthening
-tip downturning closer to horizontality
-alar rim retraction reduction (leading to nostril reduction)
-tip reprojection
-tip redefinition
-dorsal perfectioning

Seek help from surgeons performing complex and invasive structure rhinoplasty procedures.

Thank you very much for sharing your photos.From what I can see, your nasal tip is not excessively upturned. However, because the alar cartilage at the tip is slightly oriented upward, it makes the nostrils appear more visible.
In this case, we can use ear cartilage to extend and support the alar cartilage, which allows the tip of the nose to be brought slightly downward. This would help improve the nostril exposure when viewed from the front or side.
This adjustment can help make the nostrils less visible and may give you greater confidence in the appearance of your nose.

Based on your photos, we can see that you have some notching of your nostril margins, which may be corrected with micro droplet Silikon1000 nasal injections for less nostril show, and more symmetry of your nasal base. I hope this helps! Sincerely, Dr. Joseph

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photographs, you may benefit from a rhinoplasty and one goal could be to improve the alar retraction. 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. Extended alar contour grafts and tensioning of the tip could improve the alar retraction. 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.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Your increased nostril show is from retraction of the alar in the soft triangle. You will need cartilage graft to lower the alar rim. You will not need a full rhinoplasty.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

The nostrils are a bit wide and also have a flare. This can be improved with an alarplasty.
Alarplasty involves taking out a wedge from the side of the nostrils and stitching it back into the nasal base. This reduces the length of the alae (nostril rims) and that reduces the show of the nostrils.
Regards
Dr. Janjua

Hello! Thank you for your question. What you’re describing and what we see in the photos is whats known as alar retraction, which is when the nostrils appear more rounded or elevated, creating excess nostril show. Many patients describe this as the nose looking a bit too “upturned” or the nostrils being too visible from the front and side views.
This can often be improved with rhinoplasty techniques that focus on reshaping and supporting the lower nasal cartilages. Tip deprojection (bringing the tip slightly down and back), refinement of the lower lateral cartilages, and the use of alar contour grafts are common maneuvers to reduce nostril show and create a more balanced appearance. In some cases, additional grafting or support is added to stabilize the alar rims so they sit in a more natural, less retracted position.
The exact approach depends on your anatomy and the degree of nostril show, but with careful planning, these techniques can make the nose look softer, more proportional, and less “circular” from all angles. An experienced plastic surgeon can evaluate your nose in person and design a surgical plan that addresses your specific goals.
I hope this answers your question. Best of luck!
Justin Buro, M.D.