One of my Nostrils is Higher and Less Attached Than the Other. Can This Be Fixed?

Question

In the attached picture, I made sure there was no uneven lighting and that I was facing the lens straight on.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

I read your concern and reviewed your photo. In my practice, I have had good success, and many happy patients lowering nostril margins with Silikon-1000, an off-label permanent filler. I've attached a photo from my RealSelf gallery demonstrating this effect.

	I hope this is helpful for you.

Houtan Chaboki, MD · Answer

Hi Snow589 in Maine,

	I agree with my collegues that asymmetry is not only in the nostrils, but also the face. Facial asymmetry is very common, and may not be appreciated until one visits the plastic surgeon. Facial asymmetry contributes to the nose leaning to one side. In addition, the nasal septum is deviated as well causing the tip of the nose and nostrils to be uneven.

	Plastic surgery treatment would involve a septoplasty with rhinoplasty. Small grafts may be required around the nostrils to further improve symmetry. While the goal is perfect symmetry, there may always be a degree of irregularity despite treatment. Only after a comprehensive evaluation can a plastic surgeon or rhinoplasty specialist help determine appropriate options for you.

	Best of luck
	 

	Dr. Chaboki

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Although the degree of asymmetry can reduced with an alar-facial groove incision and lower lateral cartilage rim graft, perfect symmetry may be difficult to achieve.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

This can be improved with a nostril only operation. However, the nostrils will never be perfectly the same. See an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon.

Richard W. Westreich, MD · Answer

It looks as if you have a slight facial asymmetry where the left side of your face is a little smaller than the right.  This causes the nasal tip to lean towards one side. The septum typically leans as well in those situations. This results in mild tip deviation and nostril asymmetry as you have shown in the photograph. The facial asymmetry also typically causes one nostril to look attached at a higher or lower point than the other.

	A surgery including septoplasty and a small graft underneath your nostril attachment can typically correct this quite nicely. The other option is to have some filler injected underneath that nostril and see if the new appearance is what you were hoping for.

	Best of luck

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Hi Snow,

	Best to consult with a few rhinoplasty specialists.  Choose your rhinoplasty surgeon most carefully.  Good luck and be well.

	Dr. P

William Portuese, MD · Answer

If the offending problem is a crookedness of the caudal septum, this can be adjusted. It is extremely difficult to try to adjust nostril sizes. Occasionally a unilateral alarplasty can be done to narrow a wide nostril.

Paul Carniol, MD · Answer

Correction of uneven nostrils can often be a challenging procedure.  They can often be made more symmetric with a surgical procedure, similar to a nostril narrowing procedure.

Andrew Pichler, MD · Answer

From the one picture provided I would say that the asymetry you are concerned with is well within the normal asymetries (assuming no prior surgeies) everyone has to some extent between the two halves of the face. It is barely noticable. Fixing this is not easy matter and unlikely to give a "perfect" result. Leave it alone.

Philip Young, MD · Answer

Alar rim grafts and composite grafts can help lower your nostrils through rhinoplasty. Remember though that every person is asymmetric and this is built into our neuroanatomy to choose asymmetrically our mates. I don't see that the attachment is much different from each side but other pictures would help. Alar rim grafts are cartilage grafts that are put along the nostril margin or rim (hence called rim grafts) to help lower the rim. Composite grafts are made up of ear cartilage grafts that are a composite of skin and cartilage. This combination allows you to lower the rim even more when this is incoporated.

One of my Nostrils is Higher and Less Attached Than the Other. Can This Be Fixed?

Answers (16)

More Rhinoplasty Questions

Can Swelling from Rhinoplasty Make Tip Look Pointy?

Thick Skin - Best Technique to Narrow a Bulbous Tip?

Why Have I Not Been Taped After Rhinoplasty?

Did I Ruin my Rhinoplasty Results?

Can I shave my moustache right after rhinoplasty?

Nose Swelling 3 Weeks After Drinking Alcohol (6 Months Post Op)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS