I have a real problem with my nostrils flaring when I'm talking. Is there a procedure to fix this?

This is one of the fabulous easy fixes that can be performed with Botox. The muscle that dilates the nostrils can be "turned off" by using Botox. I describe the procedure for professionals in my textbook: "Cosmetic Injection Techniques." A well-trained facial plastic surgeon or dermatologist should be able to perform this for you very easily. If you just pay for the units of product, it should not cost a lot either. The benefit over time is that you may get out of the habit of dilating your nostrils when you speak and not need continued treatments.

Hello! If your nostrils only flare with talking you have a dynamic problem. If the nostril width is appropriate when you are NOT talking, alar base reduction may inappropriately narrow your nostrils. Of course, an evaluation by an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon is crucial, but Botox or stiffening the sidewalls with a small cartilage graft (alar rim graft) may improve your complaint. Good luck!

Yes. Alar base reduction with or without tip refinement may be appropriate, but an exam or pictures would be helpful for evaluation.Find a board certified plastic surgeon who performs hundreds
of rhinoplasties and rhinoplasty revisions each year. Then look at the
plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a
sense of who can deliver the results. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Dynamic flaring of the nostrils is caused by contraction of alar portion of the nasalis muscle. Botox functions by relaxing muscles and preventing their contraction. A skilled surgeon who understands the detailed anatomy of the nasal musculature may inject a small amount of Botox into the alar portion of the nasalis muscle to prevent excessive flaring of the nostrils. Please keep in mind, that a Botox injection would only improve the dynamic action of nostril flaring. It is important to keep in mind that relaxing this muscle can affect your ability to breathe through the nose. I recommend that you see a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who commonly performs rhinoplasty and understands the intricate anatomy of the nose. Best of luck!

meanderson, the only thing your can do is see a facial plastic specialist and get an exam. Perhaps Botox will help since this is more of mimetic problem. Good luck!!

Any change in the size of your nasal openings related to talking would have to be due to muscle activity in the area. There are small muscles which will flare your nostrils. Typically it is related to excitement. There are surgical procedures to stiffen the nostrils but likely Botox injection in the area to stop the activity of the muscles would be perhaps a little safer and equally effective.

You would really need an examination to determine if surgery is an option for your flairing nostrils.  

What you are referring to is an excessive alar flare that occurs when you are talking or smiling. But while at rest your nostril width is fine. You could temporarily treat the dynamic nostril flaring by a trial of Botox injections to see if you like what happens when they don't flare. Then you can proceed to an intraoral approach where the muscle are cut (myotomy) and the alar bases are cinched down to the bone with permanent sutures.