How can one tell if they have too much cartilage OR if it is thick skin alone making their nose oversized?

Hello and thank you for your question. Best way for us the determine the issues and find a solution is to see your pictures. Of course, we prefer a physical examination in person but we can definitely tell what the problem areas are and how to correct them from te pictures as well. Thank you.

Assessing thick skin versus cartilage and bone: The only reliable way to tell the contribution from thick skin versus cartilage or bone is by feeling it. An experienced surgeon can tell the relative contribution. It is in the tip that the contribution of thick skin has its most profound effect on the outcome. Usually the skin in the area of the bridge is not so thick and has much less impact on the outcome than the underlying bone, unlike tip where the thickness of the skin has a profound effect on the ultimate outcome.

Hi, sweet_lavendar. Thank you for your question.
When the doctor touches your nose and examines, he/she probably will understand your skin thickness, your cartilage thickness and its endurance (strength), the fat and connective tissue thickness and quality. Usually thicker the skin, weaker and thinner the cartilages are.
Thick skin with thick underlying connective tissue are more resistant to shrink after size reduction. Here laser and radio-frequency techniques arise and help the sebaceous skin adapt its new framework.