Flared Nostril Reduction With Rhinoplasty

Every human being is born with a unique set of characteristics. Different nose shapes is one such example of individuality. However, we can get affected and influenced by beauty standards such as thin, symmetrical and proportionate noses.

Nostril flaring is a natural phenomenon while smiling, laughing, crying and even breathing. But at the same time, it can make your nose look wide and out of proportion to other facial features. Here in this article, we will discuss flared nostril reduction with rhinoplasty in detail.

What Causes Flared Nostrils?

Nostril flaring is a common event observed in people around us. However, causes of nostril flaring can be classified as follows:

1. Genetic Trait: Genetics can cause flared nostrils. Without any abnormality, genetics can determine the extent of flaring and width of the nose.
2. Injury: A trauma to the nose can lead to excessive flaring, especially if healing widens the nose.
3. Illnesses: The nose is an important part of the respiratory system. Some respiratory illnesses can lead to excessive nostrils flaring due to breathing difficulties. These include asthma, croup, epiglottitis and pneumonia.

Flared Nostrils Effect On Appearance

Flared nostrils can affect your whole facial look. They make the nose look wide and broad, affecting facial balance and harmony. This often makes people self conscious and insecure about their appearance, decreasing their self confidence.

Feeling of insecurity often leads them to pursue surgical correction with cosmetic procedures like rhinoplasty. This helps to enhance facial symmetry and aesthetic balance.

Flared Nostril Reduction: Choosing the Right Candidate

You should keep the following points in mind to determine if you are a right candidate for nostril reduction or not;

• Flared Nostrils: Your ala (the lateral wall of nose surrounding the nostrils) extends significantly beyond the alar-face groove.
• Nose Width: The width of your nose base is greater than the distance between the inner corner of the eyes.
• Asymmetrical Nose: Your nose is asymmetrical.

Additionally, the surgeon will make sure you have good health and are fit for the surgery.

Flared Nostrils Rhinoplasty – Pre Op Preparations

Before surgery, your surgeon will advice you to take the following measures to promote optimal healing:

• Avoid certain medications such as blood thinners including aspirin, ibuprofen and vitamin E.
• Stop smoking and tobacco products as they decrease blood flow and compromise wound healing
• Identify a relative or close friend who can accompany you on the day of surgery to take care of you and take you home.

Flared Nostril Reduction – Surgical & Non-Surgical Options

Different techniques and procedures can correct flared nostrils with rhinoplasty. These options include:

Alar Base Reduction

Alar Base Reduction option suits people with a wide nasal base, which potentiates flaring of the nose. It reduces the size of the nostril by removing a piece of the nostril wall. The incision is made inside the nostril, leaving no visible scar.

Botox

Nostril flaring occurs due to the facial muscles pulling the nostrils laterally and the nasal tip downwards. Therefore, non surgical rhinoplasty such as botox can relax these muscles. This option is best for those who are not ready for surgery. It is a short session, often called a “lunch break” procedure, allowing immediate return to normal activities.

Flared Nostrils Rhinoplasty

For permanently removing flaring of nostrils, this surgical approach is the best option. The detailed procedure is given below.

How Flared Nostril Reduction With Rhinoplasty Perfomed?

The procedure takes a few hours but hopefully you’ll be discharged the same day. It usually includes the following steps:

• Local Anesthesia: The surgeon uses local anesthesia to reduce blood supply and minimize pain.
• Surgical Incision At Columella: The incision is made at columella- the cartilage wall lined by skin which divides the nostrils.
• Trimming Of Muscles: The surgeon trims and thins the muscles which pull the nostrils laterally and cause nostril flare.
• Reshaping Nasal Tip Cartilage: Nasal tip adds to the look of flared nostrils. The surgeon may remove a part of tip cartilage or add support to the nasal tip, according to individual cases. The cartilage is reshaped to enhance the nasal structure.
• Stitching Of Skin: After the nostril reduction, skin is stitched back and incisions are closed.

Flared Nostrils Rhinoplasty Recovery Period

Most patients recover from the nose surgery without any complications. However, swelling, bruising and pain are normal side-effects. They usually resolve within 1-2 weeks after the surgery.

Sutures are removed after a week. The incision site may take months to fully recover. The final results of the procedure may take 6 months to 1 year to reveal.

Flared Nostrils Rhinoplasty Complications

Like any other surgery, this process also has some risks and complications. These include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Visible Scarring
• Poor healing
• Undesired outcome
• Asymmetrical nose
• Obstructed nose
• Teardrop deformity