I had rhinoplasty with alar base reduction 2 months ago, everything was healing great until a few days ago. At the crease/scar on my left nostril I started feeling some irritation and redness. Then a crust like skin developed. The crust came off and there was a 'mouth like' opening. Move my face and you see it open, stay relaxed and you don't notice it. It seems to be the thickness of my skin. My PS said to keep it moisturized and it will close. Well it's elongated now. I'm worried won't close.
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November 24, 2014
Answer: 2 months post op Rhinoplasty, I have a crack like opening at alar base. Is this normal?
Alar base reduction can be designed to reduce the internal and/or the external size of the nostrils. It is important to balance the reduction to match the overall nasal profile and maintain symmetry.
An alar base reduction can be performed under local. The sutures will stay in one week, and patients can return to light activities 3 - 7 days post procedure. It will take about a month to two months to fully heal, and to resume more strenuous activities. Residual...
Scars after rhinoplasty are rare, but scars after alar base reductions are not. Because the skin around the base of the nose lacks support (only fat beneath it), incisions in the wrong place or closed under tension will always result in an unacceptable scar. Fortunately, this skin does not...