What has happened to my nose after yrs of aggressively rubbing and pulling on the tip? What can we done to repair it? (photo)

Question

The cartilage at the tip appears to have fallen or become stretched or loose. You can now see cartilage at the tip where it was never exposed before. This side of the nose now feels much more loose then the other regular side.

Mark Loury, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Unfortunately your picture needs to show both sides so frontal, side profile, and bilateral oblique views are necessary to give you an assessment.  Frequent rubbing (the allergic salute) can cause a horizontal crease just above the tip but I don't see that on your photo.  I suggest resubmitting pictures or consulting with a facial plastic surgeon with rhinoplasty expertise in your area.  Hope you find the reason and solution for your concerns.

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear betaalpha,

Thank you for submitting your clinical post and photo.  Although difficult to tell from the
photograph there may well be hereditary, developmental or even repeated minor
trauma alterations to the cartilages of the nasal tip and the overlying soft
tissue envelope.  In general, correcting
the repetitive need to rub your nose would be an important part of
pre-operative discussions as you would not want to alter or compromise the post-operative
results that can be achieved. Assuming
that this potentially compulsive behaviour can be controlled then a
consultation with a rhinoplasty surgeon with a lot of experience should be your
next step.  I have been performing
cosmetic rhinoplasty for 25 years having trained in both plastic surgery and
ear, nose, throat, head and neck oncology, I have found that computer imaging
is very helpful in helping patients understand the range of improvements that
might be achieved following rhinoplasty.  The ability to alter the appearance of the
nasal cartilages and overlying soft tissue envelope and balance this with the
nasal bridge and facial structures will give you the opportunity to contour and
shape the nose that will best suit your aesthetic needs and facial nasal
balance proportions.

A structural support rhinoplasty can alter the appearance of
unattractive tip cartilages, as well as the soft tissue envelope overlying
them.

I’m sure with a careful pre-operative consultation and well
performed rhinoplasty surgery you can achieve the aesthetic improvement that
you are looking for.

I hope this information has been of some assistance and best
of luck.

For more information, please review the link below.

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto

What has happened to my nose after yrs of aggressively rubbing and pulling on the tip? What can we done to repair it? (photo)

Answers (2)

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What has happened to my nose after yrs of aggressively rubbing and pulling on the tip? What can we done to repair it? (photo)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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