I like the size and shape of my nose, but I do not like how my nostrils flare up even when they are relaxed. I am part Latino, and I understand that nostril flare is common among non-white people. Is it possible to reduce only nostril flare (and leave the rest of the nose alone) during Rhinoplasty? What are special risks associated with this surgery? Is this a major surgery with a lot of downtime? Is it a common surgery? Relatively hard to perform? I've never had any reconstructive facial surgery before. Thank you very much in advance for any information!
August 2, 2016
Answer: Alar-plasty may be considered for reducing the size of flaring nostrils. In our experience, it is unusual for an isolated alarplasty to be performed without tip work - many with Hispanic flaring nostrils have oily tip skin and sometimes bulbous, droopy nasal tips.Feel free to re-ask your question with photos, or consider consulting with several rhinoplasty specialists so you could see what might be best for you.Hope this helps.Dr Joseph
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August 2, 2016
Answer: Alar-plasty may be considered for reducing the size of flaring nostrils. In our experience, it is unusual for an isolated alarplasty to be performed without tip work - many with Hispanic flaring nostrils have oily tip skin and sometimes bulbous, droopy nasal tips.Feel free to re-ask your question with photos, or consider consulting with several rhinoplasty specialists so you could see what might be best for you.Hope this helps.Dr Joseph
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July 3, 2015
Answer: Reduction in nostril flare This is a common correction and can be accomplished with only local anesthesia or mild sedation if you are an anxious type person. The surgery consists of excising a small amount of the nostril at the lateral base where it meets the cheek. This is certainly not a major surgery and the downtime is minimal. You would have sutures in for 1 week. There are scars in the crease of where the nose meets the cheek. The most common complication is that the scar is conspicuous after surgery. This is more common in people with thicker, oilier skin. Usually the incisions heal well and are difficult to see after a few months.
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July 3, 2015
Answer: Reduction in nostril flare This is a common correction and can be accomplished with only local anesthesia or mild sedation if you are an anxious type person. The surgery consists of excising a small amount of the nostril at the lateral base where it meets the cheek. This is certainly not a major surgery and the downtime is minimal. You would have sutures in for 1 week. There are scars in the crease of where the nose meets the cheek. The most common complication is that the scar is conspicuous after surgery. This is more common in people with thicker, oilier skin. Usually the incisions heal well and are difficult to see after a few months.
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August 8, 2016
Answer: Reduce the nasal base and nostril flare And it is certainly possible to reduce only the nostril flare and leave the rest of the nose alone. That being said, it is important to make sure the more narrow nasal base continues to be in proportion to the size of the tip. Often nasal flayer surgery (typically called "alar base reduction"), requires incisions placed on the outside of the nose hitting between the nostril and the cheek skin. Perform correctly, it leaves a relatively unnoticeable scar. Furthermore, the nostril size itself can be corrected and reshaped.The limitation to nostril flare size narrowing is that the nostrils wide and upon smiling. The extent to which they wide and is due to the muscle action of the cheeks. This is a variable that cannot be corrected during surgery.
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August 8, 2016
Answer: Reduce the nasal base and nostril flare And it is certainly possible to reduce only the nostril flare and leave the rest of the nose alone. That being said, it is important to make sure the more narrow nasal base continues to be in proportion to the size of the tip. Often nasal flayer surgery (typically called "alar base reduction"), requires incisions placed on the outside of the nose hitting between the nostril and the cheek skin. Perform correctly, it leaves a relatively unnoticeable scar. Furthermore, the nostril size itself can be corrected and reshaped.The limitation to nostril flare size narrowing is that the nostrils wide and upon smiling. The extent to which they wide and is due to the muscle action of the cheeks. This is a variable that cannot be corrected during surgery.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
