When the Tip is Raised, Would the Nostrils Be Bigger?

Question

If the tip of the nose is raised/decreased, can nostrils stay the same length/shape without additional surgical touch (such as reshaping the bulbousness)... My doctor says the tip will be raised but there will be no touch on the size of the bulbousness of the nose. i am afraid of having a larger tip after the raising since to me raising sounds like it will make my nostrils larger!

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

Raising the nasal tip will not make your nostrils bigger. The size of your nostrils will remain the same as well as the shape.

Evan Ransom, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the great question. This is a tricky, technical issue. While it is possible to elevate the tip of the nose and not have any changes in the nostril shape or size, promising that this would be the case reveals a less sophisticated understanding of rhinoplasty. Any time the tip is rotated up or decreased in projection, this means that something about the tip cartilages has been changed.  Since the tip cartilages are partly responsible for the shape, size, and position of the nostrils, these may change as well.  Not all changes will be very obvious, and in most cases, this can be controlled with minor changes to the alar base (nostril reduction) or use of structural grafts. Best of luck!

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The bulbous nature of the nose can be corrected and the tip raised as well.  The nostril size does not necessarily have to be altered.  Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of rhinoplasties each year.  Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Raising the tip of the nose does not make the nostrils  larger.   The nostrils can  look more prominent and visible, especially if tip has been over-raised. This is called nostril show. To narrow the nostrils, an alar plasty must be performed. Suturing the cartilages of the tip together  will narrow the bulbous component to the nasal tip.  Please see the link and the video below for examples of  closed rhinoplasty  in our photo gallery.

Richard J. Brown, MD · Answer

When you adjust one part of the nose it can certainly affect the rest of the nose. Having a precise exam by a board certified nasal surgeon who performs many of these per year is a good idea. The surgeon should be able to go through a blow by blow analysis with you and give you an idea of how one change can affect another. At the end of the day you need to choose a surgeon that you trust and you feel you have best communicated your goals and they understand what those goals are. Best of luck.

When the Tip is Raised, Would the Nostrils Be Bigger?

Answers (7)

Answer: Rhinoplasty for droopy tip does not make the nostrils bigger

Answer: Rhinoplasty for droopy tip does not make the nostrils bigger

Answer: Nostril Size After Rhinoplasty #nosejob

Answer: Nostril Size After Rhinoplasty #nosejob

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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.

When the Tip is Raised, Would the Nostrils Be Bigger?

Answers (7)

Answer: Rhinoplasty for droopy tip does not make the nostrils bigger

Answer: Rhinoplasty for droopy tip does not make the nostrils bigger

Answer: Nostril Size After Rhinoplasty #nosejob

Answer: Nostril Size After Rhinoplasty #nosejob

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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