Rhinoplasty and Scars


Depending upon whether you are having an open rhinoplasty or closed rhinoplasty approach, rhinoplasty does leave scars on the nose. With open rhinoplasty, a small inverted V or stair step incision is placed in the columella (the skin between the two nostrils). If closed properly, this leaves minimal to no scar.

If you and your facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon feel that your nostrils are too wide, you may be a candidate for alar base reduction, or nostril width reduction. These incisions may vary. I regularly place them in the nostril sill (the floor of the nostril), and then an incision is made along the junction of the ala and the cheek about 0.5mm above the crease. This is the incision that must be closed meticulously or a scar may be apparent, especially in thick skinned patients.

All of these incisions and subsequent scars are placed in a shadowed area that is rarely visible unless closely inspected. At 6 months to a year these rhinoplasty scars are almost imperceptible. Even under close inspection in women, with a little bit of foundation, they are not identified.

Dr. Funk is a rhinoplasty surgeon in Houston, TX.


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