Nose widens when I smile, options? (Photo)

Question

Hello, I have been considering rhinoplasty for some time now but am nervous about it being too drastic for my goals. Overall I am happy with my nose shape and the character it gives me. My only true complaint is that when I smile my nose/ nostrils widen quite a bit. This runs in my family and is something I've dealt with my whole life. Is a full on rhinoplasty my only option or are there other options that might help to keep the integrity of my natural nose? Thank you!

Anya Costeloe, DO · Answer

Thank you for the photos and your question. I would need to see a front view photo of your nose but based on what you are describing you may be a good candidate for an alarplasty, also known as alar base reduction. This is a surgical procedure that aims to reduce the width of the nostrils. It primarily focuses on the alar region, which is the outermost part of the nostrils and I often recommend this for patients who feel that their nostrils are too wide or flared.
During the procedure, I makes small incisions in the creases where the nostrils meet the cheeks and removed the excess tissue to narrow the nostril width. The result is a more proportionate and narrower nose that complements your other facial features. I hope this helps! - Dr. Costeloe
Facial Plastic SurgeryNational Harbor, MD

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

Everybody smiles differently. Some people have a huge smile, and some have a smirky smile, it's all in the way that the facial muscles move with the smile. The smile muscles move the facial skin, and the facial skin is attached to the edges of the nostrils where the nostril skin attaches to the cheek skin, so if the skin is pulled laterally, so are the nostrils, and that makes the nose look wider. It's just not possible to change how a nose widens with a smile. If someone's nose is very wide at the nostrils when the face is *at rest*, it's sometimes possible to narrow the nostrils, and then when they are pulled wider with the smile, perhaps they bother the patient less. 
If you are considering a rhinoplasty, you should focus on what you want to change when your face is at *rest*, and request those changes, and punt on how the nose widens with the smile. It's just not something that we have control over surgically.Finally, remember that rhinoplasty is an exquisitely difficult operation to get right, and you should only have surgery if you are able to make yourself very confident in your surgeon's skills. Most plastic surgeons are not expert in rhinoplasty. It's much better to not have surgery than to have inexpertly-performed surgery. Read my essay on how to stay out of trouble while selecting a rhinoplasty surgeon. And it also discusses how to take photos that are best for online evaluations.

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

Alarplasty is a very fine and quick procedure that can narrow the nostrils and reduce the flare to soften the appearance. It has other names as well like ‘Weir Excisions’ or ‘Nostril Reduction’. However, it is important to note that asymmetry of nostrils is common and cannot be corrected with alarplasty. Visit the alarplasty website to learn all about it.
Click on the video link below to see the details.
Regards
Dr. J

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

It’s hard to tell from your photos but one simple option is to have alar wedge excision. This will reduce the flare and narrow the nostrils. It’s inexpensive and can be done awake under local anesthesia

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Widening of the nostrils is a part of facial dynamics when smiling. Since your nose seem to be nice and you are happy with it just keep smiling.

Nose widens when I smile, options? (Photo)

Answers (10)

Answer: Rhinoplasty

Answer: Rhinoplasty

Answer: Nothing to do about it

Answer: Nothing to do about it

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Nose widens when I smile, options? (Photo)

Answers (10)

Answer: Rhinoplasty

Answer: Rhinoplasty

Answer: Nothing to do about it

Answer: Nothing to do about it

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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