I've always hated my nose, I feel it's too wide especially when I smile. Is it possible to correct this? (photos)

Question

I feel my nose is too chubby and wide. I hate smiling because it makes my nose looks even bigger. I think it is because my nostrils are too big and flare out. I wish to have a more petite and natrual looking nose. Will this be possible? How much work would have to be done to achieve my desired look?

Alejandro Nogueira, MD · Answer

After viewing your excellent set of images let me comment my opinion and technical advice:
-your nose is not a "bad" or "ugly" one, it can be considered an accetable nose, however some enhancements or better said refinements could really benefit you significatively; that is why your nose is very very difficult, it is not a bad nose ranking 9 out of 10 in ugliness... it is a good nose raking 7 out of 10 in beauty and you are seeking around 9 or higher, which is respectable, understandable (you must be a perfectionist in your mind and profession) and feasible... however only but a really top-notch surgeon with reputed skills in difficult nasal tip surgery
-from the technical side I'd begin with the dorsum, itself is a good one, no hump, straight and as first instance I'd not touch it; nevertheless, if we aim to a high degree or refinement on your tip I recommend to lower your dorsum (reduce the distance between nasal dorsum and Joseph's angle at the maxilla) in order to achieve a better ballance facial aesthetics; not a very difficult maneuver though tricky on your nose considering it is just a mere change of dorsum's angle; anyhow an achievable goal
-in static position your nostrils are oversized, so a alar base wedge reduction can be a good option for you, with acceptable but visible scarring at the alar crease; important note: alar reduction DOES NOT correct or address the flare when you smile, that assumption is absurd and lacks basic understanding of facial anatomy and rhinoplasty
-in dynamic contractions your nostrils flare out due to overaction of the levator alaque nasi or muscle lifter of the nasal wing, well, this muscle can be transected or severed to get rid of this weird effect when you smile, strongly recommended and easy to do; in your case you also make a "hook" when smiling due to the action of the depressor septi nasi, another muscle that can be easily transected and freed to avoid such effect
-otherwise your primary and main issue / diagnosis is a bulbous, oversized, overprojected and poorly defined tip (google all these terms); requiring skills and experience of a nasal tip surgeon able to accomplish well done aggressive tip reduction and deprojection, tip domes plasties (plication, Ortiz-Monasterio plasty, etc), eventually tip grafting (Sheen's).
I recommend open approach. Surgical time about 2-3 hours. Difficulty level 7 out of 10 in primary non-ethnic rhinoplasties.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

I agree that the appearNce of your nose can be improved considerably. It needs to be shortened and narrowed.  The flare of your nostrils can also be corrected using solar wedge rejections.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

Rhinoplasty for the excessively wide nose with thicker skin etc.  this can be corrected by narrowing the nasal bones, narrowing the nostrils, and refining the tip with possible removal of a small hump. The nose will still be wider when you smile as it naturally does this in all people.  See a very experienced rhinoplasty surgeon who does natural looking noses.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. A Rhinoplasty procedure can address the size and width of your nostrils. I suggest that you move forward and consult with your board certified facial plastic surgeon. The in-person review will determine how much work will need to be done to achieve your desired work. Best wishes,

Richard Chaffoo, MD, FACS, FICS · Answer

Thank you for posting photos along with your question. I agree with other surgeons that rhinoplasty can provide the results you want, if you're concerned about the appearance of your nose. Rhinoplasty can create a narrower, more feminine nose. It's often a very positive experience for patients who have long wanted to change the appearance of their noses. Because nose surgery is more complex than most other aesthetic procedures, I recommend consulting with a few board-certified plastic surgeons who specialize in rhinoplasty until you find a surgeon you feel comfortable with. Good luck.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A rhinoplasty procedure can accomplish narrowing the nose  which can include narrowing the tip, nostrils and bridgeline. Thick skin in the tip of the nose will prevent refinement in that area.  For more information and many before and after examples,  please see the link and video below

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

Every nose is different and unique to that individual.
If the appearance of your nose concerns you enough to do something about it, it
can be improved with a natural artistically performed rhinoplasty. What would
be the best option and exact procedure would depend on an in
person examination (not just an online consultation) and discussion
about desired outcome. Excellent results can be achieved with either a closed
or open technique.
Keep in mind that following advice from a surgeon on this or any other website
who proposes to tell you exactly what to do and how technically to do
it based on two dimensional photos without examining you, physically
feeling your tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical
history and discussing the pros and cons of the operative procedure would not
be in your best interest. Natural appearing results need to be individualized
and what is appropriate for one patient is not necessarily the best for someone
else. I would suggest that you find a surgeon with extensive rhinoplasty
experience certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and one who is
ideally a member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in
person. 
Robert Singer, M.D., FACS

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

I appreciate your concern that you are too wide when you smile, but you should also consider correcting your nasal shape throughout to get the look that you are wanting; Specifically, your nasal length is too long, and this can be corrected by moving your tip back on your nose as well as opening up what we referr to as the nasolablial anlge(this is the angle created by the tip of your nose and lips); Please see link below.

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

The simple answer is YES - the how will require an examination.  So see some experts in your areDr Corbin

Edward J. Domanskis, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

Wide, flaring nostrils can be improved by doing alar wedge excisions. This involves an external scar but this usually heals well.

I've always hated my nose, I feel it's too wide especially when I smile. Is it possible to correct this? (photos)

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