A rhinoplasty (nose job) is often performed to help make a wide nose appear narrower. It is also possible to perform a rhinoplasty to widen a narrow nose. These aesthetic surgeries on the nose can go a long way toward enhancing overall facial appearance.
The team at our San Mateo, CA plastic surgery center would like to consider the techniques used to widen the appearance of the nose, and how the surgery is performed. We can discuss your candidacy for rhinoplasty in more detail during a visit to our practice.
What Causes Noses to Appear Narrow?
There are typically two reasons why someone’s nose may appear narrow:
- Narrow Bridge - When the bridge of the nose is narrow, it may be due to the presence of a dorsal hump or simply and issue with the shape and structure of the nose itself. In such cases, the ideal option is to remove the dorsal hump or use spreader grafts to enhance the volume to the narrower portions of the bridge.
- Narrow Tip - If the tip of the nose narrows instead of having a rounder shape, this can alter the overall share of the nose. The ideal option for treatment will involve adding a bit of tissue to the tip to widen it.
- Narrow Nostrils - Sometimes a person’s nostrils appear narrow, which contributes to a narrower overall appearance of the nose. In such cases, the use of tiny grafts can help increase nostril size and improve the overall appearance of the nose.
Good Candidates for Rhinoplasty
Ideal candidates for rhinoplasty are people who are in good overall health who would like to improve the appearance of their nose. They should know all of the risks and benefits associated with the surgery and have realistic expectations about the surgical procedure and what it entails.
The Rhinoplasty Procedure
The rhinoplasty itself can be performed as either an open rhinoplasty or a closed rhinoplasty:
- Open Rhinoplasty - During an open rhinoplasty, an incision is made along the columella, the skin between the two nostrils. The underlying structures of the nose can be accessed and adjusted through this incision.
- Closed Rhinoplasty - During a closed rhinoplasty, all incisions are concealed inside of the nostrils. There is no need to make incisions on the outside of the nose whatsoever.
The ideal surgical procedure will depend on your needs and the best judgment of your plastic surgeon.
Recovery from Rhinoplasty
When recovering from a rhinoplasty, it’s important that patients avoid strenuous physical activity. They should also be wary of touching their nose, sneezing, or blowing their nose for a few weeks after surgery since the nose is quite delicate. Roughly two weeks will be needed off from work to allow the visible side effects to pass.
Are There Non-surgical Alternatives to Rhinoplasty?
Yes.
For some patients, the use of dermal fillers can enhance volume in different parts of the nose. However, these treatments are only temporary, with results fading after several months. Rhinoplasty is the only way to achieve lasting results without the need for repeat treatments.
Learn More about Rhinoplasty
For more information about rhinoplasty and your many other options for facial rejuvenation, be sure to contact an experienced cosmetic surgeon. Our entire team is here to provide answers to your questions about facial plastic surgery and other cosmetic treatments.
