The shape of the nasal wings (alar) is a source of concern for many people—whether it’s wide alar, thick alar, or flared alar. These features can make the nose appear disproportionate and less aesthetically pleasing. Alar reduction surgery is a solution many choose to refine the nose shape and achieve balanced proportions. If you’re planning to undergo alar reduction, this article is a must-read.
Types of Alar That May Require Correction
- Flared alar: When both sides of the alar extend beyond the inner corners of the eyes, the nose may resemble a lion’s nose and appear disproportionate to the face.
- Drooping alar: The side view shows the alar hanging down and obscuring the nostrils, making the nose look short.
- Thick alar: The alar tissue is relatively thick, or the cartilage at the nasal tip is wide, making the nose appear bulky.
3 Things to Know Before Deciding on Alar Reduction
- Post-operative symptoms: Pain, swelling, redness, and minor bleeding around the incision site are normal after surgery.
- Scarring risk: Scars may occur depending on the surgical technique used and post-operative care.
- Asymmetrical nostrils: Uneven nostrils may result from pre-existing asymmetry in the nasal base or as a side effect of closed rhinoplasty, which involves an incision inside only one nostril.
Alar Reduction Techniques
There are two main techniques:
- Internal Incision Alar Reduction
This is a widely popular method. The surgeon administers local anesthesia around the alar, then performs the incision inside the nostril and sutures the area to reduce the alar size. The stitches are hidden internally, leaving no visible scars. - External Incision Alar Reduction
This technique is used for bulbous noses. It reduces the width of the alar and refines the overall nasal shape for enhanced aesthetics.
Is Alar Reduction Always Paired with Rhinoplasty?
If the nose bridge is already high or the patient is satisfied with their current nose shape but has wide or flared alar, alar reduction alone is sufficient. However, if desired, rhinoplasty can be performed alongside alar reduction. In all cases, consultation with a surgeon is essential to assess suitability and ensure the results align with the patient’s expectations.
Alar reduction is a straightforward cosmetic procedure that delivers a naturally beautiful nose. It involves minimal pain—or almost none—and requires little recovery time. For those planning alar reduction or rhinoplasty, BLS Surgery Center offers specialized surgical services. Procedures are performed by board-certified surgeons in a hospital-grade operating room, with custom nose designs tailored to each patient’s facial structure. Safe and secure—no risk of future extrusion.
Please feel free to book an appointment for consultation or inquire for more information.
- Line : @bls.surgery
- Phone : 061-741-9369
- FB : BLS Surgery Center
- IG : BLS Surgery Center
- Tiktok : @blssurgerycenter
