Is it possible to just finely adjust the area right below the nose? (Photo)

Question

27F, no previous history of any treatments, surgery, etc. I've always had this extra bit of what feels like cartilage where the bottom of my nose meets the philtrum/upper lip area. Since it doesn't touch the main parts of a rhinoplasty and it's such a small area, I'm wondering if there's a relatively simple solution for it and what a cost and recovery expectation might be. Thank you!

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

The bulge where the bottom of your nose meets your upper lip is appearing to be a prominent anterior nasal spine. This is typically made of bone, however, sometimes it can be cartilaginous, from the posterior septal angle. The way to repair the tension lip deformity is to remove the offensive cartilage and bone. My concern is that this could disrupt some ligaments in the tip of your nose and lead to possible tip droopiness, especially if it is approached from above.

It is conceivable, however, to have this removed through an incision in between your upper lip and gum. If a direct procedure like this is in fact efficacious, there should be very little downtime associated with the procedure. Please consider meeting with several reputable rhinoplasty specialist for an evaluation and a plan. Wishing you well moving forward. Sincerely, Dr Joseph

Bora Ok, MD · Answer

Hi, thanks for this question. Yes, it is possible to adjust the area right below your nose. The protrusion you're describing could be due to the cartilage tissue in that area, known as the septum cartilage, or the bone tissue in the upper jaw bone, known as the nasal spine. A surgical procedure can reduce both these structures to diminish the protruding appearance in this specific area. Best of luck to you!

Oakley Smith, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Hi. Adjusting the tip is a part of the surgery.It is better for you to consult with a facial plastic surgeon who can examine you and discuss the surgical procedure and the post op recovery 
process.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

That’s the lower end of the septum. The cartilage just needs to be trimmed back 3 or 4 millimeters. I see it all the time. Sometimes makes your upper lip seem tight.  Can be done under local anesthesia with incisions just inside the nostril and take about half an hour.  Believe it or not many surgeons don’t know how to do this amazingly simple procedure

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

It is usually a bone or cartilage prominence that creates this obtuse angle in the junction between the lip and the nose. A simple procedure that will remove a portion of the bone (spina nasalis) or cartilage, or both, would take care of this and the columella base would retract. This can be done in local anesthesia. Good luck.

Lexie Wang, MD · Answer

That area appears to be the nasal spine. This could be addressed with a closed septoplasty style approach (don't even need to do the septo part but using that same incision access), but without touching and feeling the area, I can't guarantee that that's the only contributing factor.

Ruslan Zhuravsky, DO · Answer

Hello, yes you can reduce the posterior septal angle and possibly nasal spine (if needed) through and incision just inside the nose. This will decrease the fullness and appearance of tension in the area. It will also decrease rotation of the nose. Price is something you will likely have to call and discuss with each office individually but should be easier with the specific terminology above. 
Good luck!

William Portuese, MD · Answer

You have what's called a hanging columella, and in particular, you probably have a prominent nasal spine. A columella plasty can be performed to trim this area back, which includes removal of extra skin and cartilage to tuck the hanging columella inwards. This can be accomplished with a closed technique with all of the incisions placed on the inside of the nose.

Is it possible to just finely adjust the area right below the nose? (Photo)

Answers (8)

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