Is there a way to refine a bulbous tip without exaggerating the wideness of my alar base? (Photos)

Question

I have a pretty bulbous tip (especially visible from the 3/4 profile views), but I also have a decently wide alar base. I don't want to have an alarplasty due to the possibility for scarring and difficulty breathing, but I have been interested in a closed rhinoplasty. Is there no way to make a bulbous tip a bit smaller without making the alar base look wider? In a lot of before/after galleries I've seen, this is always the case. I'm also unwilling to get an alarplasty because of the potential scarring. I think the divot between my tip and alar tissue makes my alar width particularly noticeable - is there any way to address one issue without exacerbating the other?

Andrew Miller, MD · Answer

Based on the photos, you can effect a nice change in the nose by just working on the tip. The cartilage can be reshaped so it is not as round, creating a straighter side wall of the nose. If this is done properly, without removing much superior lateral crus, the nose will look good, without the need for alar reduction. If the cartilage is aggressively removed, then the tip will look pinchy, which would make the nostrils appear to be wider. Be sure to see a rhinoplasty expert for consultation.

Selcuk Inanli, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question. As far as I can see from your photo your tip can be a little minimize and give a more defined tip with a rhinoplasty. No need to alar base plasty if you do not want to. If you can provide photos with better lighting, from the side of your face and 1 meter away I would be able to make a proper evaluation. It would be more convenient to decide with face-to-face consultation. Best Regards!

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

A tip plasty would give you enough improvement without the need for alar wedges. And this is from a surgeon who dies a good number of alar wedge excisions. You will be fine without it.

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

everything about the nose is optical illusion.  If you increase the size of one thing the other thing might look smaller and vice versa.  If there is a small change in the tip it might not affect the appearance of your nostrils.  However, Even a moderate change in the tip will make sure nostrils look a lot wider.
Alarplasty can be done safely with minimal scarring. 
Regards
Dr. J

Is there a way to refine a bulbous tip without exaggerating the wideness of my alar base? (Photos)

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Is there a way to refine a bulbous tip without exaggerating the wideness of my alar base? (Photos)

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