What is Alarplasty?
Alarplasty, sometimes called nostril reduction, is a cosmetic surgery that reshapes and narrows the nostrils. Much less intense than a full rhinoplasty (nose job), alarplasty focuses solely on the outer base of the nose and does not alter its overall size or profile. Sometimes alarplasty is performed as part of a more comprehensive nose job, but it can also be performed on its own.
When performed alone, alarplasty creates a subtle but impactful change. Patients seek this procedure when they feel that their nostrils are overly flared or wide. It can also correct nostril asymmetry. The goal is to improve facial balance and proportion rather than creating a dramatic change. If we liken it to home improvement, rhinoplasty is a remodel while alarplasty is more like a fresh coat of paint.
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Who is a Good Candidate for Alarplasty?
Although beneficial to many, alarplasty is not the right fit for everyone. If you're unhappy with the overall shape and size of your nose, this procedure won't help. It's simply not intended to alter the bridge or tip of your nose. But alarplasty can be the perfect fit if you:
- Have wide nostrils, nostrils that flare, or uneven nostrils
- Seek subtle improvement
- Wish to change your nostrils while preserving unique ethnic characteristics
- Possess good skin elasticity and health
- Are in good general health overall
- Don't smoke
How Alarplasty Surgery is Performed
Often performed in less than an hour using a local anesthetic, alarplasty is a small but precise procedure. You may choose to have the procedure under general anesthesia if you prefer, and you will be put under if your nostril reduction is part of a larger rhinoplasty.
During the procedure, your plastic surgeon will make small incisions inside your nostrils or on the outside along the natural crease where your nose meets your cheek. They will then remove a small amount of tissue to reduce the nostril's width and flare. Small stitches are used to close the incisions, and you're all done.
Your nostrils will be narrower after the procedure and may flare less, but you can expect your results to look perfectly natural. Surgeons are very careful to maintain the ordinary curve and symmetry of the nostrils — you can rest assured we won't send you home looking like Voldemort!
Expected Results and Longevity
After your procedure, you can expect narrower, less flared, more balanced nostrils. And unless you break your nose or experience some sort of trauma later on, your alarplasty results are permanent.
That being said, understand that you may not love your new nostrils right away. The area will swell after surgery, distorting your results somewhat. The swelling is temporary, however, and you will start to see your final results as it goes down. The changes will be subtle but effective.
Surgical technique, your unique anatomy, and your body's healing response all impact results. Give these processes time to do their thing before passing judgment on your alarplasty results.
Scars, Healing, and Aftercare
During the first few days following your surgery, you're likely to experience swelling and some mild discomfort. A little Tylenol is usually all it takes to keep you comfortable. For optimal results, it's important that you follow all of your surgeon's aftercare instructions, which will primarily involve keeping the incisions clean, resting, and caring for your scars.
Scars aren't really an issue if your nostril reduction incisions are inside your nose, but incisions made outside the nose can result in visible scarring. But visible does not necessarily mean noticeable. Plastic surgeons hide external alarplasty scars in the crease where your nose meets your cheek, making them difficult to see. With proper care, they also fade over time, blending into the skin around them. This scar maturation process can easily take a year, so try to be patient and give your body time to fully heal.