Is It Possible to Remove the Excessive Lower Cartilage Without Changing the Alar Cartilage? (photo)

The optimal way to correct a bulbous or boxy tip is to reshape the lower lateral cartilage by suturing with minimal manipulation without excision which gives you a better longer lasting result to the tip and alar rims.

Rhinoplasty to shorten the nose. This can be done but you need to send better photos and use lay terms since your question needs clarification. Choose a very experienced rhinoplasty surgeon. 

    If you want the tip to be less projected or to decrease the length of the nose, those things are possible through a closed rhinoplasty.  Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of rhinoplasties 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

They are one and the same cartilages. There is no true alar cartilage. Most of the alar is made up of soft tissue that is firm.

 There are many different techniques and maneuvers to shorten an overly projected and long nose. Some techniques do involve  adjustments of the lower lateral cartilages of the tip of the nose, while some do not. Trimming back the dorsal cartilaginous septum and  de-projecting the entire  tip backwards along the caudal septum with sutures help shorten the nose.Digital computer imaging would be helpful to understand what can be accomplished with your nose upon your facial features. Please see the  link below  for examples of how we have treated an overly projected and long nose. Virtual rhinoplasty software is also available  on our website to  give yourself an idea of what you're trying to accomplish.