Are There Ways to Decrease the Thickness of Nasal Skin?

There are many options to improve the characteristics of nasal skin including high quality skin care products, topical retinoids, extractions and laser resurfacing/ dermabrasion. A comprehensive strategy can typically reduce the sebaceous nature of the nasal skin and slightly thin this skin. However, these external treatments can be expected to improve the quality of the skin but will not be expected to have dramatic effects on reducing a bulbous tip. A rhinoplasty would still typically be required to refine that. I hope this information is helpful.

 A rhinoplasty that involves narrowing the bulbous tip involves suturing the tip cartilages together and a conservative cartilage removal when necessary. A thick skin blanket covering the tip will blunt any of the procedures that are performed on the tip. It is very difficult to thin out this thick skin from the underneath side since the tissues just want to simply grow back again. Patient must have realistic expectations for undergoing rhinoplasty with the nasal tip skin

The bulbous tip is refined by certain surgical procedures performed to the tip cartilages during rhinoplasty. The thickness the skin and fatty under layer in the tip region determines just how much definition is possible when the healing is complete.
Good medical skin care helps to keep the pores unclogged and can reduce the amount of sebaceous (oil) gland activity. Some reports show that Accutane can reduce the thickness of the skin of the nose if there is an over activity of the sebaceous glands. A dermatologist can help you decide if treatment is advised.

Dear David,

From your description, you may have a condition called Rhinophyma.  Rhinophyma is a slowly progressive condition due to hypertrophy of the sebaceous glands of the tip of the nose often seen in cases of long-standing acne or rosacea.  Usually affects men in their middle age and beyond.  This can be progressive.  Debulking with laser or with a scaple, depending on severity, can improve the situation.  Topical treatments help only very mild cases. 

Best Wishes,

Pablo Prichard, MD

Thick oily skin subjected to the rigors of the elements and exercise should be treated by a skin care specialist. My patients with problems like yours are treated by the aesthetician in my office or when necessary referred to a dermatology colleague.