Facial features should be well-balanced between the eyes, nose, and mouth. For the most pleasing facial appearance, one particular part should not overwhelm the other two. Unfortunately, a too-wide nose, either at the base or the bridge, can make a face look out of proper proportion. Dr. Marin is skilled at rhinoplasty (nose job) procedures to help the face regain its balance.
What Can Cause a Wide Nose?
One of the most common reasons for an excessively broad nose, particularly around the nostrils or bridge, is ethnicity. Wide nostrils are particularly common among African-American patients. African-American, Hispanic, Middle-Eastern and Asian patients may all have low, wide nose bridges. A rhinoplasty procedure to correct noses for these patients is known as “ethnic rhinoplasty.” Another common cause for a wide nose may be an injury that does not heal properly. If the nose has been broken in an accident, particularly if it has been broken multiple times, it may heal in such a manner that it appears wider.
What Is the Procedure to Fix a Wide Nose?
Alar base reduction
This procedure is used to correct a nose that is too wide at the base. Tiny incisions are made in the nose’s base at the natural crease to remove excess tissue and narrow the nose’s nostrils and base. Many patients with a broad nose base have thick skin, so it may be initially difficult to see any changes made to the cartilage at the tip of the nose.
Nasal osteotomy
This procedure is required if the nose is too wide at the top or across the bridge. In essence, the nose must be broken before being set to narrow the bridge and upper part of the nose. Unlike when the nose is damaged due to injury and heals on its own, Dr. Marin carefully repositions the nose into its proper place before allowing it to heal. This procedure is likely to cause excess swelling and bruising, but this is expected and should resolve to begin within a month after the procedure.
How Long Will it Take to See Results?
Patients must wear a nose splint for the first one to two weeks following rhinoplasty. Regular activities can be resumed within seven to 10 days following surgery. This allows the nose to resettle into its new alignment. Results should begin to be noticeable about a month following surgery.
Of course, the key to rhinoplasty is to keep the face in balance. This is particularly important for an ethnic rhinoplasty, where the goal is to enhance the nose’s appearance yet not lose the unique ethnic features of the face. Dr. Marin has extensive experience working with patients of various ethnic backgrounds to give them a look they desire. Patients may discuss their concerns about their final appearance with Dr. Marin when they come in for a consultation visit.
*The content in this blog is developed to spread the awareness towards plastic surgery. Our blog is not intended to serve as a replacement for an actual in-office consultation with Dr. Marin. As such, the information within this blog reflects the unique cases of our individual patients.
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