Is this nasal bossae and what options do I have to correct it? (photos)

Question

Hello many years ago I had a closed rhinoplasty . On my nasal tip right side there is a prominent cartilage poking out and it's hard like a "buckle". Is this what experts in the field reguard as nasal tip bossae? It pulls the right side of my nasal tip down. What is the possible solution for this?

Mark K. Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  Although an exam in person is ideal, from your photograph alone, it appears that you have a subtle prominence along the medial crura of your lower lateral cartilage.  This can be readily improved with a revision tip rhinoplasty where the protruding element can be excised and some fairly straightforward adjustments can be made to improve the appearance. 
 This may potentially also be done under local anesthesia.  The modification of your nasal cartilage can be done with trimming, stitching or grafting.

The next step for you is to find the right aesthetic plastic surgeon.  In your rhinoplasty consultation, be sure your surgeon addresses all your aesthetic goals and concerns specifically, and discusses the surgery details including the position and size of the incisions used (with actual photographs and not just digital animations), the risks and benefits of the procedure, recovery time, and post-operative course.  Also, be sure to see plenty of before-and-after pictures in women who have a similar nose appearance to yours, and preferably at different time frames (3 weeks out, 3 months out, etc) to more accurately predict your own surgical outcome.

After seeking out a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery, I think the most important component of the consultation is to establish a good connection with your plastic surgeon.  It’s the connection that allows you to clearly define your desired nose outcome goals, the first step of this whole process. If you don’t feel you have a good connection with your plastic surgeon after your consultation, he/she may not be the best surgeon for you.

For more information on rhinoplasty, please refer to my link below.

Good luck.

Mark K Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS
Harvard-trained Board Certified Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Andrew Miller, MD · Answer

It is a little hard to tell from the photo, but it kind of looks like misshapen cartilage after rhinoplasty. Bossae are formed when cartilage was cut and left many years ago. Either way, a revision is usually needed to find the cartilage remnant and either reattach it or reconstruct it to make it look natural. Sometimes some filler can be placed in the area to camouflage the irregular cartilage as well. Be sure to see a rhinoplasty expert for consultation.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

It is impossible to give you good advise based on this photo. In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon, expert in rhinoplasty, will give you a chance to have proper evaluation and discuss options of treatment. It may be something simple, possibly done in local anesthesia.Good luck.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Since you appear to have relatively thin nasal skin, you may be seeing your altered tip cartilages through your skin. Depending on your condition, microdroplet Silikon-1000 may be considered for camouflaging permanently. Hope this helps! Dr Joseph

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

That’s just the tip cartilage. However it’s worth finding out if you have a cartilage graft there and if it bothers you it could be removed

Is this nasal bossae and what options do I have to correct it? (photos)

Answers (6)

Answer: Permanent non-surgical nose job to camouflage bossae...

Answer: Permanent non-surgical nose job to camouflage bossae...

Answer: Rhinoplasty

Answer: Rhinoplasty

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.

Is this nasal bossae and what options do I have to correct it? (photos)

Answers (6)

Answer: Permanent non-surgical nose job to camouflage bossae...

Answer: Permanent non-surgical nose job to camouflage bossae...

Answer: Rhinoplasty

Answer: Rhinoplasty

Browse related questions

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.