Rhinoplasty and skin thickening: is it possible to treat thick skin on the nose before a rhinoplasty? (Photos)

Question

Is it advisable to treat skin thickening (in my case it's on one side of my nose only, close to the tip) with lasers or other procedures before considering a Rhinoplasty when the objective is to get a thinner nose and a more refined tip. Could untreated skin thickening (in that section) affect the overall result of the rhinoplasty? And how can this be prevented?Thanks for your valuable input!

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

Hello and thank you for your question.  Your skin can be "de-bulked" or thinned during surgery.  I would not suggest doing it pre-operatively as any such procedure may potentially compromise the vascularity of the skin and cause complications postoperatively...   It is difficult to tell from the oblique view of your nose, but if you do undergo a rhinoplasty, 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

Hasan Duygulu, MD · Answer

Hello.Thank you for your question. There is treatment for thick skin after operation . local cortisones injections after operation can be treatment for that. but in your picture it seems from that  that thickening is being caused by cartilage tissue underlying your skin.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  There is no need to try to reduce the thickness of this area prior to surgery.  Based on your photographs, you may benefit from a tip refining rhinoplasty which can be performed by trimming, suturing, and reshaping the cartilage in your lower nose.  Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and not just a computer animation system.  You should be able to view numerous pictures of actual patients with noses similar to yours performed by your surgeon.  If you cannot find enough real before and after pictures, then consider continuing your search for a surgeon. Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Pejman Aflaki, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. The short answer is 'yes'.  There are certain treatments that can be done in thick sebaceous skin to optimize the skin prior to rhinoplasty. While it is harder to improve tip definition in patients with thicker nasal skin, good results can still be achieved by a combination of manipulating the underlying cartilaginous framework (suturing, trimming, etc) and conservative soft tissue debulking. My best advice is that you discuss your concerns and aesthetic goals with a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in performing rhinoplasty. I would ask to see before and after pictures of their real patients. It's important that you trust your surgeon's skills and ability to achieve the results you are looking for. In particular, pay attention to your surgeon's experience with rhinoplasty. Best,
Pejman Aflaki, M.D.
  
Johns Hopkins-trained double board-certified plastic surgeon

Suleyman Tas, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for your question. The answer is yes. Certain treatments directed to make the skin thinner are needed for thick skinned patients to achieve better results after the surgery. They optimize skins condition for better contouring and defining of the tip especially during the surgery. To find out more please visit our RealSelf before and after pictures. 
Best Regards

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Rhinoplasty and skin thickening: is it possible to treat thick skin on the nose before a rhinoplasty? (Photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Rhinoplasty and skin thickening: is it possible to treat thick skin on the nose before a rhinoplasty?

Answer: Rhinoplasty and skin thickening: is it possible to treat thick skin on the nose before a rhinoplasty?

Answer: Closed Atraumatic Rhinoplasty

Answer: Closed Atraumatic Rhinoplasty

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