Why is one nostril bigger than the other? (Photo)

Question

What surgery would improve the shape of my nostrils/columella to make them more symmetrical? I feel that the septum moves slightly over to the left, is it normal to have an unsymmetrical nose? Thank you.

Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS · Answer

I would recommend starting with a consultation with a board certified facial plastic surgeon that specializes in rhinoplasty surgery to discuss if rhinoplasty can address your concerns. 
I would recommend writing down the following questions before scheduling your consultation:
1. Are you unhappy with the tip of your nose? 
2. Do you feel that your nose is too wide? 
3. Do you want to make your nostrils smaller in appearance? 
4. Are you looking to decrease the general size of your nose?
I hope some of these questions will help you pinpoint what it is that you don't like about your nose.  Cost will vary due to various factors like anesthesia fees, facilities fees, etc. I wish you the best as you research your options when scheduling a rhinoplasty consultation.
Sincerely,
Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS Double Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

Suleyman Tas, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Hi Anne,
Firstly only one photo is not enough to evaluate, however based on it it looks you have thick skin and asymmetry.
To get a good result your thick skin should be treated then after detailed examination 
Closed and Atraumatic Technique Rhinoplasty can fix.
Regards,

George A. Toledo, MD · Answer

If you look close enough, almost everyone will have some asymmetry to their nose. From the photo it appears your caudal septum is slightly deviated to the left making the left nostril a little smaller. The lower portion of your columella is wide due to the feet of your mesial crura. Surgery will be able to correct both issues and may even improve your airway.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Nasal asymmetry is very common.  Your base view shows nostril asymmetry which could be due to a deviated caudal septum or your medial crural footplates.  This can be improved with rhinoplasty.  Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and not just a computer animation system.  You should be able to view numerous pictures of actual patients with noses similar to yours performed by your surgeon.  
 
 Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Pejman Aflaki, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. It's hard to give you a definitive answer without an in person examination. Deviation of caudal septum and asymmetric alar cartilages are among the reasons to cause asymmetry in nostril size and shape. I would suggest that you see a board-certified plastic surgeon for a complete evaluation. Best,

Julian Rowe-Jones, MBBS, FRCS (Eng), FRCS (ORL) · Answer

Thank you.  Your nostril asymmetry is slight so you musty think very clearly about the risks and benefits of surgery. It may be your septum that is the cause but it could also be curvature in the part of the tip cartilages that sit in the skin between your nostrils which is called the columella.  Examination is needed before being able to give you surgical options.

Why is one nostril bigger than the other? (Photo)

Answers (6)

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