5 years post rhinoplasty - Is this scar tissue or cartilage in my nose tip? (Photos)

Question

I had rhinoplasty back in 2021, on 10 days after removing cast I noticed an assymetry on my right side of the nose. I was told it is swelling, but it has never resolved since then. It is like a bump on my right side of the nose tip. The surgery was about reducing my bulb nose tip. What can it be?

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

The three frontal photos show mild tip asymmetry with a localized prominence on the right side, although different camera angles and facial rotation limit comparison. A photograph cannot distinguish asymmetric lower lateral cartilage, a visible graft or suture, scar tissue, or a small cartilage edge. Because it appeared early and has remained for years, residual postoperative swelling is no longer a likely explanation.

Ask your operating surgeon to examine and palpate the area, or obtain an in-person opinion from a revision rhinoplasty specialist. A firm, sharply defined prominence behaves differently from thick, softer scar. Steroid injection should be reserved for confirmed scar because it can thin the skin or create a depression, and filler in the nasal tip may camouflage rather than correct the cause while adding vascular risk. If the asymmetry is minor and stable, observation is reasonable. If it is clearly bothersome, correction may range from a limited contour adjustment to a focused tip revision, depending on the support and cartilage findings.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Based on your photos, we can see a slightly asymmetrical nasal tip appearance, and slight nostril retraction with excessive nostril show. You may wish to consider a permanent non-surgical nose job treatment to achieve a more symmetrical, and less operated looking nasal tip appearance. I hope this helps, and I wish you well moving forward. Sincerely, Dr Joseph

5 years post rhinoplasty - Is this scar tissue or cartilage in my nose tip? (Photos)

Answers (2)

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