Clear answers to frequently asked questions about Rhinoplasty at INOU Plastic Surgery.
The nasal septum is the wall inside the nose that separates the two nostrils.
The front part is made of cartilage, while the back part is made of bone.
The septal cartilage used in rhinoplasty is the patient’s own cartilage located in the front part of the septum.
It is commonly used when raising the nasal tip or changing its direction.
It can also be used to create a supporting structure that keeps the newly shaped nasal tip stable.
However, the size and thickness of the septal cartilage vary from person to person.
Some people have larger septal cartilage, while others naturally have only a limited amount available for use.
At I.KNOW.U, we use a preoperative nasal CT scan to check the size and shape of the septal cartilage in advance and estimate how much of it can be used for surgery.
However, this does not mean that all of the cartilage visible on the CT scan is used.
The septum naturally supports the nose, so a certain portion must always be preserved to maintain the basic stability of the nose.
An outer rim of approximately 15 mm of the septal cartilage needs to be preserved.
At I.KNOW.U, we carefully measure this area with a ruler during surgery to make sure it is properly preserved.
If there is enough usable septal cartilage, it can be used to create the nasal tip structure.
If the amount is insufficient or the septal cartilage has already been used in a previous surgery, ear cartilage or rib cartilage may also be considered depending on the desired height and shape of the nasal tip.
Category |
Key Information |
What is Septal Cartilage? |
The patient’s own cartilage from the front part of the nasal septum |
Main Role |
Shapes, positions, and supports the nasal tip |
Individual Differences |
Available amount varies depending on size and thickness |
I.KNOW.U Preoperative Check |
CT scan to evaluate the size and shape in advance |
I.KNOW.U Preservation Principle |
Precisely measured to preserve an approximately 15 mm supporting rim |
Ear cartilage is cartilage harvested from the patient’s own ear and used in rhinoplasty.
If you look closely at the inside of the ear, the cartilage is not all the same shape.
The lower part has a soft, concave shape, while the upper part has a relatively longer shape.
The concave cartilage in the lower part is relatively thick compared to other areas of the ear cartilage.
It is often placed on the nasal tip or layered to create the desired height, shape, and definition of the tip.
In contrast, the longer cartilage in the upper part of the ear generally provides about 2 cm of usable length, so it can be used to reinforce the supporting structure of the nasal tip.
Therefore, using ear cartilage does not mean that cartilage is harvested from the same area of the ear for every patient.
At I.KNOW.U, we first determine whether the nasal tip simply needs more volume or requires structural support.
We then select and use the area of ear cartilage that best provides the shape needed for the surgery.
Category |
Key Information |
What is Ear Cartilage? |
Autologous cartilage harvested from the patient’s own ear |
Lower Ear Cartilage |
Thick and concave, used to shape and define the nasal tip |
Upper Ear Cartilage |
Longer in shape, used to support the nasal tip structure |
I.KNOW.U Approach |
Harvest site selected based on the volume and support needed |
Rib cartilage is the cartilage located between the ribs and the breastbone.
It is characterized by its ability to provide stronger structural support than septal or ear cartilage.
For this reason, it is mainly considered when significant structural changes are needed rather than simply making a small adjustment to the height of the nasal tip.
This may include lengthening a short nose or significantly changing the direction of the nasal tip.
Rib cartilage is also very useful when septal or ear cartilage has already been used in previous rhinoplasty procedures, or when the nasal tip support has become weakened or deformed after multiple surgeries and needs to be reconstructed.
Rib cartilage can generally be divided into autologous rib cartilage and donated rib cartilage.
Autologous rib cartilage is cartilage harvested directly from the patient’s own rib.
Its main characteristic is that it uses the patient’s own tissue.
Another advantage is that the cartilage can be harvested according to the size and shape needed for surgery.
It is particularly useful when a large amount of cartilage or strong structural support is required.
Because it contains living cartilage cells, it can help reduce the possibility of inflammation and cartilage absorption after surgery.
However, harvesting cartilage from the chest is an additional procedure performed along with the rhinoplasty.
This may leave an incision scar of less than 2.5 cm on the chest, and there may be some pain or discomfort at the donor site after surgery.
However, at I.KNOW.U, the incision is closed using only dissolvable sutures, so in the long term, it usually leaves only a small mark similar to a cat scratch.
Pain at the donor site is usually felt as soreness when getting up from a lying position rather than as continuous pain.
In contrast, donated rib cartilage is cartilage obtained from a donor, processed, and prepared for surgical use.
Because there is no need to harvest cartilage directly from the patient’s chest, it reduces the burden of an additional chest incision, donor-site scarring, and pain.
Therefore, it can be an option for patients who need the level of support provided by rib cartilage but are concerned about harvesting their own rib cartilage.
However, because donated rib cartilage is processed donor tissue, unlike autologous rib cartilage, it does not contain living cartilage cells and consists only of fibrous tissue.
The available size and shape of the cartilage may also vary depending on the product.
These factors are considered when determining whether the material is suitable for the structure required in surgery.
However, this does not mean that autologous rib cartilage is always better than donated rib cartilage, or that donated rib cartilage is the better material.
Using rib cartilage also does not necessarily mean that the rhinoplasty will be better.
If major structural changes or strong support are not needed, there may be no reason to use rib cartilage.
Ultimately, the important point is not to decide which type of cartilage is better first.
Instead, it is important to carefully determine how much change the current nose requires and how much structural support is needed to maintain that change stably.
At I.KNOW.U, rather than deciding on a specific type of cartilage from the beginning, we evaluate the current nasal structure, skin thickness, history of previous surgery, condition of the available cartilage, desired nasal shape, and the amount of cartilage required before selecting the appropriate material.
Category |
Autologous Rib Cartilage |
Donated Rib Cartilage |
What is Rib Cartilage? |
Cartilage between the ribs and breastbone with strong structural support |
|
Material |
Patient’s own rib cartilage |
Processed donor rib cartilage |
Features |
Living cartilage cells / Sufficient amount available |
No living cartilage cells / Shape varies by product |
Harvesting |
Harvested directly from the chest |
No harvesting required |
Advantages |
Useful for larger amounts and strong support |
Less concern about chest scars & pain |
I.KNOW.U Selection Criteria |
Based on nasal structure, skin thickness, surgical history, required cartilage amount & support |
|
Even if this is your first rhinoplasty, septal cartilage alone may not always be sufficient.
What matters in rhinoplasty is not simply which type of cartilage is used.
What matters is whether we can create the desired nasal tip and build a structure that can support it stably.
The size and thickness of septal cartilage vary from person to person.
If there is enough septal cartilage and the desired change is not significant, septal cartilage and ear cartilage may be sufficient for surgery.
However, if the septal cartilage is small and you want to significantly raise the nasal tip, or if the nose is short and upturned and needs to be lengthened by bringing the tip forward and downward, a larger amount of stronger cartilage may be needed even for a first rhinoplasty.
The same may apply when the direction of a drooping nasal tip needs to be significantly changed.
For a short and upturned nose in particular, simply raising the nasal tip is not enough.
It is important to change the direction and length of the tip and create a supporting structure that can stably maintain its new position.
In these cases, we may consider using autologous rib cartilage to create a stronger supporting structure for the nasal tip.
At I.KNOW.U, rather than focusing on whether it is a first rhinoplasty or a revision, we carefully assess the amount of change needed, including how far and in which direction the nasal tip needs to be moved and how much structural support is required to maintain its new position.
If septal cartilage alone is sufficient, there is no need to use rib cartilage.
On the other hand, if stronger support is required, autologous rib cartilage may be recommended even for a first rhinoplasty.
Surgical Plan |
Septal Cartilage |
Autologous Rib Cartilage |
Cartilage |
Sufficient |
Insufficient |
Tip Change |
Minor |
Major changes in height, direction & length |
Support |
Septal & ear cartilage are sufficient |
Stronger support needed |
I.KNOW.U Criteria |
Based on tip changes & required support, not whether it is the first surgery |
|
Having autologous rib cartilage harvested once does not mean that it can no longer be used for a future rhinoplasty.
Our body has multiple ribs on both sides, and each rib has its own cartilage that may be available for use.
Therefore, even if rib cartilage was harvested from one area during a previous surgery, cartilage can be harvested again from another rib.
Technically, there are about five rib cartilage sites on each side that can be harvested for rhinoplasty.
Of course, it is extremely unlikely that this many sites would ever need to be used.
Having rib cartilage harvested once or twice does not mean that there will be no remaining sites available for future harvesting.
Autologous Rib Cartilage |
Key Information |
Available Cartilage |
Multiple usable rib cartilage sites on both sides |
After Previous Harvest |
Additional cartilage can be harvested from another rib |
After 1–2 Harvests |
Future harvesting options are rarely limited |
Rib cartilage may become calcified as calcium accumulates in the cartilage.
Heavily calcified cartilage may not be suitable for use as a material to support the nasal tip.
Calcification becomes more common with age, but it can also occur in younger patients.
Therefore, we do not determine the condition of the rib cartilage based on age alone.
At I.KNOW.U, when autologous rib cartilage is planned, we always perform a preoperative ultrasound to check the condition of the rib cartilage and whether calcification is present.
X-rays or CT scans can also be used.
However, X-ray findings can sometimes be unclear or inconclusive depending on the imaging angle and the patient’s physical characteristics, while CT scans may involve a greater financial burden.
Ultrasound is comparable to CT in its ability to detect calcification.
At I.KNOW.U, we use ultrasound to examine each rib cartilage in detail, including how much calcification is present and exactly where it is located within the cartilage.
Without this evaluation before surgery, unexpected issues may arise when trying to obtain sufficient usable rib cartilage.
We check in advance which areas of cartilage can be used.
To plan more reliably which rib cartilage can actually be harvested and used during surgery, we always check for calcification with ultrasound.
Rib Cartilage Calcification |
Key Information |
Calcified Rib Cartilage |
Heavy calcification may make it unsuitable for nasal tip support |
Occurrence |
Can occur regardless of age |
I.KNOW.U Preoperative Check |
Ultrasound is required when autologous rib cartilage is planned |
I.KNOW.U Ultrasound Check |
Evaluates the degree & location of calcification |
Purpose |
Identifies usable rib cartilage before surgery |
Using autologous rib cartilage requires an incision in the chest area, so many patients are concerned about scarring.
At I.KNOW.U, we harvest rib cartilage through a relatively short incision of less than 2.5 cm, and after harvesting, the incision is closed using only dissolvable sutures.
Because the sutures are not exposed outside the skin, there is no need to return to the clinic separately to have stitches removed from the chest.
Also, because the skin surface is not closed with external sutures, there are no stitch-mark scars that can occur when external sutures are used.
However, not having stitch marks does not mean that the incision line itself will completely disappear.
A linear scar may remain where the incision was made, and how much and how quickly it fades can vary depending on each patient’s skin characteristics.
At I.KNOW.U, we monitor the incision site after surgery and provide scar laser treatments to help the incision line fade over time.
I.KNOW.U Autologous Rib Scar Care |
Key Information |
Incision |
Short incision under 2.5 cm |
Closure |
Dissolvable sutures only / No suture removal |
Scar |
No stitch marks / A fine incision line may remain |
Postoperative Care |
Follow-up + scar laser treatment |
Yes. Rhinoplasty without a silicone implant is also possible.
If you are already satisfied with the height of your nasal bridge and only want to change the height or direction of the nasal tip, surgery can focus on the nasal tip without placing an implant on the bridge.
However, not using silicone does not mean that no supporting structure is created in the nasal tip.
To raise the nasal tip or change its direction, septal cartilage, ear cartilage, or rib cartilage when necessary can be used to create a stable supporting structure.
The nasal tip is then shaped over this structure.
At I.KNOW.U, we first determine whether changing only the nasal tip while maintaining the current height of the nasal bridge can achieve the desired appearance from both the side and front.
We then decide the appropriate extent of surgery.
Not necessarily.
Silicone is easy to shape according to the desired height and contour.
It can also create a relatively consistent bridge line from between the eyebrows toward the nasal tip, making it one of the most commonly used materials in rhinoplasty.
However, if you do not want silicone or feel uncomfortable with an artificial implant, dermal graft material or your own cartilage may also be considered to enhance the nasal bridge.
Dermal graft material can add height and volume to the nasal bridge without using a firm implant like silicone.
Because it is processed from human-derived donor tissue, it may also carry a relatively lower concern for foreign-body reactions compared with artificial implants such as silicone.
However, some absorption may occur as the tissue settles after surgery.
Therefore, the desired final height and the expected amount of absorption need to be considered when planning the surgery.
Autologous cartilage can also be used on the nasal bridge.
It can be particularly useful when the goal is not to significantly raise the entire bridge, but to fill in a depressed area, smooth out an uneven area, or add height to a specific part of the bridge.
If a greater amount of height or a larger area needs to be addressed, the type and amount of cartilage required must also be considered.
Ultimately, what matters is not simply whether silicone is used, but choosing the appropriate material based on which area needs to be raised and by how much.
At I.KNOW.U, we evaluate the current height of the nasal bridge, skin thickness, desired nasal contour, degree of change needed, and the patient’s preferred material before determining the appropriate option among silicone, dermal graft material, and autologous cartilage.
Raising the nasal bridge does not actually reduce the distance between the eyes.
When more height is added from between the eyebrows to the nasal bridge, the contours and shadows in the center of the face become more defined.
As a result, the eyes may appear slightly closer together when viewed from the front.
This is more of a visual illusion.
However, when an implant of 5 mm or more is used, more skin is needed to cover the implant.
If the distance between the eyes is already very narrow, the skin may appear slightly pulled or tight.
For this reason, we do not recommend a high implant for patients whose eyes are already very close together.
When designing the nasal bridge, we also consider more than simply how many millimeters of height to add.
We need to look at where the bridge begins between the eyebrows and how that height continues downward.
At I.KNOW.U, we design the starting point and contour of the nasal bridge while considering not only the side profile but also the overall appearance from the front.
During your consultation, it can be helpful to show us not only photos of noses you like, but also examples of what you do not want, such as, “I don’t want my eyes to look this close together.” This helps us determine the appropriate design.
Not necessarily.
A dorsal hump is an area of the nasal bridge that protrudes more than the surrounding areas.
How much of the hump should be reduced depends on the desired bridge line and the patient’s personal preference.
Some patients prefer a smooth and straight nasal bridge, while others prefer a more natural line that preserves some of the nose’s original characteristics.
Removing more of the hump than necessary may also reduce the natural height and characteristics of the nose.
At I.KNOW.U, we consider not only how much of the protruding area should be reduced, but also how the bridge lines before and after the hump should connect.
In some cases, an implant designed to match the existing shape of the nasal bridge can smoothly connect the areas before and after the hump, reducing its prominent appearance without completely removing it.
Ultimately, rather than looking at the hump alone, we determine how much to reduce by considering the current height of the nasal bridge together with the desired final contour.
Not everyone with a wide-looking nasal bridge needs osteotomy.
The width of the nasal bridge seen from the front is influenced not only by the actual width of the nasal bones, but also by the height of the bridge, the size of the nasal tip, and the overall proportions of the face.
If the nasal bones themselves are widely spread to both sides, osteotomy can be used to move the bones inward.
At the same time, we use CT imaging to determine a safe amount of movement and make sure that moving the bones will not narrow the nasal airway.
If the bones are moved too far inward based only on appearance, they may interfere with the passage of air through the nose.
On the other hand, if the nasal bones themselves are not actually wide but the bridge looks wide because it is low, adding appropriate height to the nasal bridge alone may make it appear narrower from the front.
At I.KNOW.U, we do not decide whether osteotomy is necessary simply because the nasal bridge “looks wide.”
We separately evaluate whether the upper bridge near the eyes is wide, whether the middle portion of the bridge is wide, and whether the nasal bones themselves are actually wide.
Osteotomy is planned only when necessary.
The surgical approach depends on where the nose is crooked.
The nose is not made entirely of bone or entirely of cartilage, so it needs to be analyzed from multiple angles before determining the appropriate approach.
If the bones forming the upper part of the nose are tilted to one side, osteotomy can be used to reposition the bones and align the central axis of the nose.
On the other hand, if not only the nasal bones but also the cartilage in the middle or lower part of the nose, including the nasal bridge and tip, is crooked, correcting the bones alone may not be enough.
The cartilage structure may also need to be corrected.
Another important factor to consider is facial asymmetry.
If the central axis of the face, extending from between the eyebrows through the philtrum and the center of the lips, is itself tilted, the nose may not appear perfectly straight from the front even after it has been corrected as much as possible.
At I.KNOW.U, we do not evaluate the nose alone.
We examine the central axis of the face together with the direction of the nasal bones and cartilage.
We also look at the overall alignment from the center of the eyebrows to the center of the lips and down to the center of the chin.
During the consultation, we explain in advance which aspects of the crooked nose can be corrected surgically and which may remain due to the patient’s natural facial asymmetry.
We then recommend the most appropriate correction to achieve the most natural facial alignment possible.
Not necessarily.
Even if the alar base looks wide before surgery, raising or projecting the nasal tip forward can change the proportion between the nasal tip and the alar base.
As a result, the alar base may appear relatively less wide from the front after surgery.
Therefore, when deciding whether alar reduction is necessary, we consider not only the current width of the alar base, but also whether it is expected to remain wide after the nasal tip is corrected.
Another important guideline is to draw vertical lines downward from the inner corners of both eyes and compare them with the width of the alar base.
In general, if the alar base falls within these two lines or is similar in width, it tends to look relatively balanced with the overall face.
On the other hand, if the alar base is expected to remain wider than these reference lines even after the nasal tip is corrected, alar reduction may be considered together with rhinoplasty.
However, this guideline alone does not determine whether surgery is necessary.
Some patients have a wide alar base itself, while others have nostril wings that appear rounded and spread outward rather than simply being wide.
In other cases, the shape of the nostrils themselves may make the nose appear wider.
At I.KNOW.U, we first evaluate the proportion between the distance between the eyes and the width of the alar base.
We then consider the expected appearance after nasal tip correction and the shape of the nostrils before determining whether alar reduction is truly necessary.
Bringing photos of noses you like can be very helpful during your consultation.
Even when people say they want a “natural-looking nose,” what they consider natural can vary from person to person.
Some people consider a low and soft nasal bridge to look natural, while others prefer a more defined bridge with a nasal tip that is not overly prominent.
By looking at reference photos together, we can discuss much more specifically whether you like the starting point of the nasal bridge, the height of the nasal tip, the direction of the tip, and the overall nasal contour.
Ultimately, you need to be happy with the shape for the rhinoplasty to feel satisfactory.
However, there are limitations to creating a nose that is exactly identical to the nose in a reference photo.
Everyone has different nasal bone and cartilage sizes, skin thickness, existing bridge height, and facial length and width.
At I.KNOW.U, rather than simply copying a single photo, we believe it is important to identify the features that you consistently like across multiple reference photos.
For example:
“I don’t want my nasal tip to be as upturned as this.”
“I would like the starting point of my nasal bridge to be about this low.”
“I like the nasal tip in this photo, but the bridge is too high.”
Explaining your preferences this way allows us to understand them much more accurately.
We also recommend bringing photos of noses you do not like.
This is because understanding what you do not want is just as important as knowing what you do want when designing your nose.
Using the images you provide of noses you like and dislike, we discuss your desired and undesired features from multiple perspectives even before surgery.
During the surgery itself, we display the reference images you provided on a large TV screen in the operating room.
We continue referring to them throughout the procedure and do our best to incorporate those preferences into the actual shape of your nose.
Ultimately, the goal is not to copy the nose in a reference photo exactly.
Instead, it is a process of incorporating the features you like as much as possible within the structure of your own nose and redesigning them to suit your face.
In a primary rhinoplasty, the surgical plan is based on the patient’s original nasal bones, cartilage, and skin condition.
However, in revision rhinoplasty, the internal structure of the nose has already been changed by the previous surgery.
This makes it difficult to know the exact condition inside the nose simply by looking at it from the outside.
One of the important parts of revision rhinoplasty is carefully releasing scar tissue and adhesions.
As the tissues heal after the first surgery, the tissues beneath the skin and around the cartilage can become attached to each other.
During revision surgery, these adhesions must be carefully separated so that the underlying structures can be examined and a new nasal tip can be created.
If there is extensive scar tissue or the nose has undergone multiple surgeries, the boundaries between normal tissue layers may become less distinct.
This can make the dissection process more difficult and increase the complexity of the surgery.
In some cases, cartilage or other structures that were expected to be usable before surgery may turn out to be different once they are directly examined during the procedure.
Therefore, when planning revision rhinoplasty at I.KNOW.U, we prepare for both the possibility of using the existing structures and the possibility of creating new ones.
We then adjust the surgical approach based on the actual condition found during surgery.
In general, revision rhinoplasty is considered after allowing at least six months of recovery following the previous rhinoplasty.
After rhinoplasty, not only the visible swelling but also the tissues and scar tissue inside the nose gradually stabilize over a long period of time.
During the early stages of recovery, the nasal tip may look higher than expected or one side may appear more swollen, making it difficult to determine the final shape of the nose.
Therefore, rather than deciding on revision surgery immediately because you are unhappy with the early appearance, it is important to wait until the swelling has sufficiently subsided and the tissues have stabilized before determining which issues actually remain.
In particular, if there was inflammation after the previous surgery or the nose remains firm and stiff, a recovery period longer than six months may be necessary.
However, if the desired change can be achieved with only minimal surgical manipulation, a small-scale revision may sometimes be performed at around three months.
At I.KNOW.U, we consider six months as a general minimum guideline, but the actual timing of revision surgery is determined after directly evaluating the firmness of the nose, the condition of the skin, and the degree of scar tissue recovery.
Having revision rhinoplasty does not necessarily mean that the existing silicone implant must be removed.
For example, if you are satisfied with the height and shape of your nasal bridge and only want to change the nasal tip, the existing silicone implant may be kept in place after confirming that it is stable and properly positioned.
On the other hand, if the silicone implant has shifted to one side, its outline is clearly visible, or the height or starting point of the nasal bridge needs to be changed during the revision, the implant may need to be replaced.
If the skin is red or the implant is excessively visible through the skin, the condition of both the skin and the implant needs to be evaluated first.
If the skin is too thin, dermal graft material may be placed over the implant to add thickness.
If the problem is caused by an implant that is too high, its height may be adjusted.
If there is significant asymmetry in the underlying nasal bones, a customized 3D implant may also be created to replace the existing implant and correct the asymmetry.
At I.KNOW.U, we decide whether to keep the existing silicone implant, remove it, or replace it with a new implant based on what you want to change through the revision surgery.
In a typical open rhinoplasty, a small incision is made on the columella, the area between the two nostrils.
Through this incision, the surgeon can directly examine the nasal tip cartilage and internal structures during surgery.
Incisions are also made inside the nose, but those made on the inner mucosal surface are not visible from the outside.
Because the columellar incision is located underneath the nose, it is relatively difficult to notice from the front.
Over time, the redness gradually fades and the scar becomes less noticeable.
At I.KNOW.U, we design the incision while considering the natural contour of the columella and the condition of the skin.
Whenever possible, the incision is placed at the narrowest area around the lower one-third of the columella, close to its base.
We also carefully close the incision to prevent the wound edges from separating.
If alar reduction is performed at the same time, additional incisions may be made along the inner or outer border of the nostrils.
If autologous rib cartilage is used, a small incision is also required at the cartilage donor site on the chest.
However, the speed and degree to which scars fade can vary depending on each patient’s skin characteristics.
Therefore, we continue to monitor how the incision is healing after surgery and provide appropriate scar care when needed.
For most patients, rhinoplasty scars fade to a level that is no longer a major concern after about 2–3 months.
The appearance of your nose immediately after the splint is removed is not the final result.
In the early stages, there is swelling throughout the nasal bridge and tip.
The major swelling subsides first, while the remaining minor swelling gradually decreases over time.
Areas that require more surgical work, particularly the nasal tip, or areas with thicker skin may take much longer to look natural compared with the nasal bridge.
In general, the skin over the nasal bridge is thinner than the skin of the nasal tip, so swelling in the bridge tends to subside first.
A significant amount of swelling in the nasal bridge usually subsides at around three weeks, while swelling in the nasal tip may take approximately 2–3 months to settle before the nose begins to look closer to its final result.
During the recovery process, one side may temporarily appear more swollen, or the nasal tip may feel higher and firmer than expected.
However, this is generally not something to be overly concerned about.
At I.KNOW.U, rather than judging the result based on how the nose looks at a single point in time, we monitor how the nasal bridge and tip change over the course of recovery.
Recovery time can vary depending on whether it is a primary or revision rhinoplasty, how thick the skin is, and how much surgical work was performed in each area.
Therefore, it is important to allow enough time and monitor the healing process.
Raising the nasal tip does not automatically make every bulbous nose look slimmer.
First, it is important to determine why the nasal tip looks round and wide.
In some patients, the lower lateral cartilages that form the nasal tip are widely spread apart.
In others, the skin and soft tissue are thick, making the underlying cartilage shape less visible from the outside.
If the main cause is a wide gap between the pair of cartilages that form the nasal tip, the width and position of the cartilage can be adjusted to bring the tip closer together.
On the other hand, if the skin is thick, we do not approach the surgery by excessively removing or thinning the skin.
Over-thinning the nasal tip skin can affect the blood supply to the skin.
In these cases, rather than simply raising the nasal tip upward, it is important to project it forward appropriately and create a supporting structure that can maintain its new position.
As the nasal tip projects forward, the thick skin naturally stretches over the new structure.
Even though the skin itself does not become thinner, the tip may appear less bulbous and more defined than before.
At I.KNOW.U, we do not reduce the nasal tip in the same way for every patient with a bulbous nose.
We first determine whether the main issue is the width of the cartilage, the thickness of the skin, or insufficient height and projection of the nasal tip, and then adjust the areas that need correction.
Therefore, bulbous tip surgery is not simply about “making the nasal tip smaller.” It is closer to refining the proportions and direction of the nasal tip within the patient’s existing skin and cartilage structure.
