Thick Nose Skin or Excess Cartilage?

In general, individuals of darker skin types usually have thick skin and wide cartilages in the tip of the nose. This is only a generalization.
Other individuals may have a variety of thicknesses of skin and cartilage. The best way to determine this is to undergo an examination by a plastic surgeon. Sometimes pinching the skin can reveal just how thick it is. Determining the quality, size and shape of the cartilages takes much more experience and practice.

The relative thickness of the skin of your nose, along with the underlying cartilage can be examined, and properly identified by an experienced, board-certified rhinoplasty specialist.
If you'd like to change the appearance of your nose, make sure to see many photos demonstrating favorable results before moving forward.
I hope this helps, and best regards.

 He can tell by examining your nose if you have thick skin and or cartilage responsible to a large tip. Look at good before/after photos of his work since that is the type of nose he does.