Refining the Nasal Tip with Alar Rim Lowering and Non-Incisional Alar Reduction!

* Basic Information

# Female in her 20s

# Previous Rhinoplasty History: 1 time (Silicone implant, septal and ear cartilage used, alar reduction)

# Current Status and Main Complaints: After the previous surgery, the alar rims look pinched, giving a ‘dragon-nose’ appearance, which is very stressful. Although alar reduction was performed previously, I want to narrow them further!

* Consultation

# If the nostrils look pinched, it gives a ‘surgical’ and unnatural impression, so correction is necessary.

# Since this condition resulted from a previous surgery, the scar tissue is firm, making it a challenging case for correction.

# Because a significant amount of correction was required, we planned to sufficiently lower the rim using both skin and cartilage from the ear.

# If you are considering alar rim lowering, you must choose after fully understanding the following limitations:

Limitations of Alar Rim Lowering: 1. 100% symmetry between the left and right nostrils is difficult to achieve. 2. The horizontal width may slightly increase after surgery. 3. The transplanted cartilage may be slightly visible when viewed from below. 4. The texture becomes slightly firmer. 5. The area where the ear cartilage was harvested may fold slightly (though it is barely noticeable).

* Plan

# Alar Rim Lowering

# Non-incisional Alar Reduction

* Post-operative Progress

# Relatively simple! No visible scars! Satisfaction is high because correction is possible using only incisions inside the nostrils.

# The surgical method varies depending on the severity of the ‘pinched’ look. In mild cases, repositioning the lower lateral cartilage or simple cartilage grafting can suffice. However, for moderate to severe cases, cartilage grafting alone has limits, so a composite graft including skin tissue is necessary for satisfactory correction.

# In this patient’s case, a skin-cartilage composite graft was performed. To ensure no change in ear shape or visible scarring after harvesting the graft, many factors must be considered during the design phase. Therefore, the graft was harvested from the innermost part of the ear to minimize visible scarring.

# While non-incisional alar reduction is not as dramatic as the incisional method, it is effective at holding back the nostrils from spreading when smiling!

Consultations and surgeries should be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon!

The VIBE that comes from rich experience.

Dr. Yu Young-moon, Representative Director of VIBE Plastic Surgery

VIBE Plastic Surgery complies with medical laws. These before-and-after photos were taken under identical conditions with the patient’s consent. Complications and side effects such as bleeding, inflammation, infection, and asymmetry may occur after surgery and vary by individual, so caution is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my nostrils be perfectly symmetrical after alar base reduction surgery?

No, 100% symmetry is difficult to achieve. Alar base reduction improves the pinched appearance of the nostrils, but it has limitations in achieving perfect left-right nostril symmetry. It is important to understand this point through sufficient consultation before surgery.

Can my nose feel harder after alar base reduction?

Yes, the touch of your nose may feel a bit harder after surgery. This is one of the limitations of alar base reduction that can occur due to the influence of grafted cartilage tissue. It may gradually become more natural over time.

What are the effects of non-incisional alar reduction?

Non-incisional alar reduction has the effect of tightening the flared nostrils when smiling. While not as dramatic as the incisional method, it is a suitable option for those who want to naturally narrow their alar base.

What surgical methods are used for pinched alar correction?

The surgical method varies depending on the degree of pinching. For mild cases, repositioning of the lower lateral cartilage or cartilage grafting alone may be sufficient, but for moderate to severe cases, cartilage grafting alone has limitations, and skin tissue must also be grafted to achieve satisfactory correction.

Will my ear shape change if ear cartilage is harvested?

No, ear cartilage is harvested in a way that does not cause changes in ear shape or visible scars. Especially since it is harvested from the innermost part of the ear where it is not noticeable, you do not need to worry.