Can you reduce alar flare without reducing nostril size? Wide alar/small nostrils (Photo)

Question

I have small nostrils, but the tissue surrounding my nostrils is very fatty/wide and gives my nose a bottom-heavy appearance. I'm considering getting a rhinoplasty that would refine my tip and I'm very worried that my alae would look very harsh and noticeably wide if I don't get them reduced. However, I don't want my nostrils any smaller, and whenever I try to research alar flare reduction, it mentions nostril reduction. I'm not sure what my options are

Stephen J. Pincus, MD · Answer

If you make the tip more narrow & angular, you will be making the nostrils appear slightly more flared. So that is a decision that should be made following the tip-plasty. Or if there is doubt, I usually wait to see what the patient thinks and do it at a later time under local. Now in answer to your original question, there are several approaches that can be considered. If one is concerned about reducing flare, but not nostril size, a wedge can be cut out of the sidewall of the nostril without changing the size the the nostril opening. Alternatively, a de-gloving of the soft tissue off the bone allows for a slight generalized contraction of the lower one half of the nose without producing an unnatural change in proportions.  And finally, a cinching suture can sometime be employed to narrow the width of the nasal base without any excisions.

Jacob Tower, MD · Answer

Hello, hope you are well. Yes, alar flare can be reduced without reducing the cross-sectional area of the nostrils. However, if alar width is being reduced, it can have a more significant impact on the dimensions of the nostrils. I agree that a tip-plasty to improve tip definition would be a great choice for you, but alar-plasty may not be necessary at all. These procedures can always be staged (tip-plasty first) as alar-plasty is straightforward to perform under local anesthesia.
Best,Dr. Tower

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

An alarplasty can be designed so it is entirely outside the nostril and doesn’t make it smaller. A crescent just needs to be removed along your nostril groove

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

Yes, we would not plan to do an alar base reduction for you. You have a somewhat "boxy" tip of your nose. Bringing that together should shrink the "bottom heavy" appearance of your nose without needing tissue removal there. If that doesn't do it, or if you have very fatty nostrils, we have some nice ways to shrink that too.

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

Alar flare reduction can be done without reducing the size of the nostrils. However, it still gives the appearance of smaller nostrils as the sides become flatter. So, unless you want a very subtle change in flare it is best to get a regular Alarplasty. 
Regards
Dr. J

Can you reduce alar flare without reducing nostril size? Wide alar/small nostrils (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Yes

Answer: Yes

Answer: Alar Flare

Answer: Alar Flare

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Can you reduce alar flare without reducing nostril size? Wide alar/small nostrils (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Yes

Answer: Yes

Answer: Alar Flare

Answer: Alar Flare

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.