Tip Rhinoplasty: What Is It?

Generally, a rhinoplasty operation may address several distinct anatomic parts of the nose, including the tip, the bridge, the radix (starting point of the bridge at the top of the bridge), and so on...
Tip rhinoplasty refers to a cosmetic nose operation that focuses on alteration of the tip of the nose. The tip of the nose is comprised of skin, subcutaneous tissues, and the paired lower lateral cartilages resembling an arched "M".
The tip of the nose has several aesthetic characteristics that may be altered in a rhinoplasty surgery.
Manipulation of the arched lower lateral cartilages allows your surgeon to increase or decrease the projection of the tip (the distance the tip of the nose projects from the face), the rotation of the tip, the angle between the tip of the nose and the upper lip, the width of the tip, the vertical height of the widest portion of the tip, among other more detailed considerations.
These aspects of the tip may be altered surgically using many different approaches. The external or "open" approach involves an incision on the skin of the collumella (skin between the nostrils)and a few hidden incisions inside of the nostrils, while the internal approach involves only hidden incisions inside of the nostrils.
There is no one way that is better. The best method is the one which your surgeon feels will allow him/her to peform all of the necessary steps for the desired result.

Great question!
A tip rhinoplasty is simply a rhinoplasty with extra focus on the nasal tip. This can be done in isolation or with other areas of focus on the nose such as a dorsal hump or nasal asymmetry. This can be addressed in either open or closed fashion based on your surgeon and there are a multitude of techniques based on the desired outcome.
Hope this helps!Kyle Kimura, MD

Hello and thank you for your question. Tip rhinoplasty normally refers to only attempting to refine the tip. This often is not the best option for most patients as most patients need a full rhinoplasty in order to achieve a natural looking result. Tip refinement can be accomplished by trimming, suturing, and reshaping the cartilage in your lower nose. Cartilage grafts may also be used to help improve tip refinement. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon