The nose has a certain distinction as part of the various features that make up the face. Not only should it ideally be right in the center of the face, both horizontally and vertically, but it is also the largest single feature of the face. This means that even a small imperfection in the size or shape of just one part of the nose can throw off the balance of all the facial features.
Dr. John Griffin has seen this often with his prospective patients who are interested in a rhinoplasty surgical procedure to improve the appearance of their nasal tip. What are some of the issues with the nasal tip that can be addressed with rhinoplasty? What is involved with this type of rhinoplasty procedure? What advantages would this procedure have over other types of rhinoplasties?
Common Issues with the Nasal Tip
There are several issues with the nasal tip that Dr. Griffin often sees. One of the most common is a nasal tip that is too wide or flat. This type of problem is often seen in African-American or Asian patients.
Nasal tip issues can also include nostrils that are very narrow, which may lead to breathing issues, snoring, or even sleep apnea. Other common issues include a droopy or bulbous nasal tip, or one that is turned upward too much (commonly called a pug nose).
Nasal Tip Rhinoplasty Procedure
There are two different surgical techniques that Dr. Griffin can use to improve the size and/or shape of the nasal tip. A closed rhinoplasty procedure only uses incisions inside the nostrils to reshape the nasal tip. Conversely, an open rhinoplasty will begin with Dr. Griffin making a horizontal incision across the collumella (the section of external skin on the underside of the nose that separates out the right and left nostril).
He will then be able to lift back the skin to gain direct access to the internal nasal structures that need to be addressed to change the size and shape of the nasal tip. Either method can be used, depending on how much work needs to be done and the patient’s goals from the rhinoplasty procedure.
Advantages of a Nasal Tip Rhinoplasty
The main advantage of a rhinoplasty that just addresses the nasal tip is that it is less invasive than a procedure that addresses the full length of the nose. Even an open rhinoplasty for the nasal tip will have minimal scarring, as the incision across the collumella is easily hidden on the underside of the nose. This will also mean that the healing time will be shorter than from a full rhinoplasty procedure, as well as being less expensive.
It is important to remember that Dr. Griffin will only be shifting the size and/or shape of the nasal tip by a few millimeters during the rhinoplasty procedure. You may think that such a small change won’t really make much difference, but once you see the final results from your surgery, you will notice how much more balanced your facial features will appear. Even a few millimeters can make all the difference to your overall appearance.
