Many people are unhappy with the size or shape of their nose and seek rhinoplasty, commonly known as a “nose job,” to refine its appearance. During rhinoplasty, surgeons can make a nose appear narrower and more defined through surgical manipulation of the nasal structures. This gives the nose an overall slimmer look. There are several techniques surgeons use to accomplish this, depending on each patient’s unique anatomy and aesthetic goals.
Assessing nasal anatomy
The first step in slimming the nose is assessing the patient’s nasal anatomy to identify areas of concern. The surgeon will evaluate:
- The width of the nasal bridge
- The size, shape, and positioning of the nasal tip
- The amount of cartilage and bone in the nose
- The thickness of the skin enveloping the nose
The surgeon uses this information to decide which slimming techniques are best suited to that individual. X-rays, computer imaging, and plastic surgery simulations may be used to help visualize potential outcomes.
Reducing the nasal bridge
A wide nasal bridge is one of the most common concerns patients have. To address this, surgeons may use the following approaches:
Medial osteotomies
This technique narrows the bony part of the bridge by surgically fracturing or removing portions of the nasal bones. The surgeon makes incisions inside the nostrils, allowing access to manipulate the bones. The bones can then be brought closer together, reducing width.
Rasp filing or burring
In a similar fashion, the surgeon can use a surgical rasp or burr to physically file down the protruding edges of the nasal bones to reduce their size.
Bone grafting
Material such as cartilage from the nasal septum or ear can be used to build up the top of the bridge, giving it a narrower, more streamlined look.
Refining the nasal tip
Changing the shape and position of the nasal tip is key in getting a slim, elegant nose. Some ways surgeons accomplish this include:
Altering tip cartilage
The lower lateral cartilages give shape to the nasal tip. Through meticulous sculpting, unwanted bulges or irregularities can be removed to refine the tip. Cartilage grafts may also augment or enhance tip definition.
Modifying tip position
The nasal tip can be repositioned higher, lower, or rotated up or down through cartilage weakening, strengthening, or restructuring techniques. This alters its look in relation to the rest of the face.
Reducing nostril width
Nostril size can be reduced by excising small wedges of tissue from the nostril base. When the nostrils are narrowed, this automatically makes the nose look slimmer.
Complementary procedures for nasal slimming
Sometimes tissue needs to be built up or constricted in adjacent areas to fully achieve a streamlined nose:
Bridge augmentation
As mentioned, grafting materials can be layered to add height and definition to a flat nasal bridge when that is needed to complement slimming.
Alar base reduction
If the part of the nose where the nostrils meet the cheek is wide, surgeons can remove a crescent-shaped wedge of tissue here to effectively “cinch” the base.
Columellar strut graft
Adding a small graft behind the nostril column can provide sturdy support to help maintain a slim nasal profile.
Understanding surgical techniques
There are two main options when it comes to the surgical approach:
Closed rhinoplasty
In closed rhinoplasty, all incisions are confined to the interior of the nose. The surgeon works through these small interior incisions to sculpt the cartilage and bone. There is no external scarring with this technique.
Open rhinoplasty
This involves making a small incision across the columella, the strip of tissue separating the nostrils. Through this incision, the surgeon can directly visualize the nasal structures and manipulate the cartilage and bone to achieve the desired slimming. While a columellar scar may result, it heals well over time.
Recovery after slimming rhinoplasty
After surgery:
- There will be swelling and bruising around the nose and eyes lasting 1-2 weeks.
- An external splint will need to be worn over the nose for 1 week to protect it while initial healing takes place.
- Discomfort can be managed with pain medication.
- Strenuous activity should be avoided for several weeks.
- Most patients return to work within 10-14 days.
- Significant slimming results may not be fully visible for several months as remaining swelling subsides.
Risks and complications
As with any surgery, rhinoplasty carries some risks, such as:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Nasal airway obstruction
- Need for revision surgery
Choosing an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon greatly reduces the chance of complications. Serious problems are very uncommon with rhinoplasty.
Results of a slimmer nose
In the right hands, rhinoplasty techniques can produce beautiful, natural-looking results. Patients tend to report greatly boosted satisfaction with their nose’s appearance after rhinoplasty slimming procedures.
While the nose will look different, the changes should not seem overly operated or artificial. The new slimmer contours integrate seamlessly with the rest of the face for overall facial harmony. Rhinoplasty can have profound effects on self-confidence as patients no longer feel self-conscious about the size or shape of their nose.
Who is a good candidate for nasal slimming?
Good candidates for slimming rhinoplasty include:
- Healthy patients without any uncontrolled chronic medical conditions
- Patients with realistic expectations who understand results have limitations
- Patients who are uncomfortable with the width, size or shape of their nose
- Patients not undergoing revision rhinoplasty (a previous nose procedure complicates surgery)
- Patients willing to avoid certain medications that increase bleeding risk
Teenagers may undergo rhinoplasty but should wait until the nose has completed development, usually around age 16 for girls and a bit older for boys.
Consulting with a rhinoplasty expert
The key to successful rhinoplasty is finding an expert, board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience specifically performing nasal surgeries. Be sure to ask about how many rhinoplasties the surgeon performs annually, view before and after photos of their work, and speak with former patients. This helps determine if their aesthetic style and surgical skills are a good match for your goals.
During the consultation, the surgeon will perform a physical exam of the nose, discuss desired changes, and explain which combination of techniques can provide optimal results. Computer imaging can sometimes help you “test drive” potential outcomes.
Together, you can develop a customized surgical plan targeting the areas most important for achieving a slimmer nose in proportion to the rest of the face. With precise sculpting by a skilled rhinoplasty specialist, you can finally have the elegant, proportional nose you desire.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for the nose to slim down after rhinoplasty?
It can take 12-18 months for the nose to fully refine after rhinoplasty due to gradual resolution of swelling. About 80% of the slimming will be visible at 3 months. But the last 20% of the slimming process occurs between months 6 and 12.
Does nasal cartilage grow back after rhinoplasty?
No, the reshaped nasal cartilage does not grow back or change shape after rhinoplasty. As swelling subsides and refines the result over the first year, the cartilage maintains the structural changes induced by surgery.
Can I get a slim nose without surgery?
Non-surgical nasal slimming options such as fillers or threads provide minimal temporary effects at best. Only surgery can truly reshape the bone, cartilage, and soft tissue to permanently slim and refine all anatomical parts of the nose.
How long does nose cartilage take to heal after rhinoplasty?
On average, it takes about 8 weeks for the nasal cartilage to fully stabilize in its new surgical position. Even after the cartilage has healed though, the overlying skin and soft tissue still needs additional months to resolve swelling and contract around the framework.
What plastic surgery procedures make noses smaller?
Rhinoplasty techniques such as osteotomies, tip-plasty, alar reduction, and bridge augmentation can all reduce the size of different nasal regions. The surgeon sculpts the particular areas contributing to a disproportionate or overly large appearance.
How much does it cost to get a slim nose?
The cost for a slimming rhinoplasty averages $5,000 – $10,000 in the United States. Geography, the surgeon’s experience, and the complexity of the reshaping done influence cost. Health insurance does not cover rhinoplasty when performed solely for cosmetic reasons.
How do I keep my nose slim after a rhinoplasty?
Avoiding future nasal trauma, maintaining a stable weight, not smoking, and protecting the nose from sun damage are all important in preserving a slim nasal contour long-term after rhinoplasty.
Is there a non-surgical nose job that works?
No. Only surgery can modify the bone and cartilage providing structure to the nose. While injectable fillers may camouflage a small hump temporarily, they cannot fundamentally reshape the nose or achieve significant slimming.
Can I slim my nose without visible scarring?
Yes, a closed rhinoplasty approach allows the surgeon to perform all the needed slimming maneuvers through hidden incisions inside the nose. There is no external scar, resulting in seamless improvements to the nasal contour.
Conclusion
Patients seeking a more refined, elegant nose turn to rhinoplasty for slimming and reshaping. Skilled surgeons use various techniques such as osteotomies, tip refinement methods, and strategic reduction and augmentation to transform wide, bulbous, or disproportionate noses. When performed by a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, patients can enjoy a naturally slimmer yet balanced and harmonious nose. This life-changing procedure boosts confidence by allowing the inner beauty within to shine through undistracted.