Nostril surgery is performed alone or in conjunction with rhinoplasty.
For proper facial harmony, the width of the nostrils should be equal to the width between the two eyes (eyelid clefts). It is also said that this width should be equal to 20% of the width of the face. For example, if a face is 25 cm wide, the nostrils should be approximately 5 cm wide. These remain general anatomical standards, so they must be taken with a grain of salt. Beauty is in the diversity of faces, and no one would want us all to be identical clones.
Nostril Surgery or Nasal Aspirator
- Reduction of overly wide or flaring nostrils: The majority of nasal aspirators involve reducing the size of the nostrils.
- Widening of overly narrow nostrils: Some people undergo surgery to widen or protrude their nostrils for cosmetic purposes or to improve breathing. Ethnic rhinoplasty: The width of nostrils varies greatly depending on a person’s ethnic origin. Some people wish to tone down their ethnic features and reduce the width of their nose. The surgeon may perform this operation while being careful to respect the person’s cultural identity so that they maintain a harmonious face. Since darker skin is generally thicker, healing can be more complicated.
- Transgender: Nasal surgery is sometimes performed by transgender people during their identity change to feminize or masculinize their face.
Accident or birth defect: Some people have a malformed, twisted, cut, glued, or torn nostril. The surgeon will therefore work to restore this nostril to a more “normal” appearance.
These operations fall under the category of rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty should not be performed until growth is complete (except for functional rhinoplasties, which cannot be delayed for children with deformities or those who have had accidents). This corresponds to an age of approximately 18 for girls and 20 for boys.
The operation is performed by a dental surgeon, cosmetic surgeon, or maxillofacial surgeon specializing in nasal surgery. The surgeon may be a Doctor (Dr.) or Professor (Prof.).
What nostril surgeries are possible?
The surgeon will perform different types of surgery depending on the case (length, width, shape, and thickness of the nostrils):
Narrowing the nostrils
This concerns nostrils that are too wide or flared. The base of the nostrils, i.e., the crease between the nostril and the cheek, cannot be moved toward the inside of the nose. Indeed, this would involve grafting skin between the cheek and the nostril, which would not be aesthetically pleasing. However, some nostrils have a rounded shape. That is, they extend far outward and then return toward the tip of the nose.
The surgeon performs a nostril resection. By shortening the nostril, the rounded shape is reduced and, consequently, the width of the nostril is reduced. To do this, the surgeon will make an incision in the crease between the nostril and the cheek, make a second incision to remove part of the nostril (skin and cartilage), and then resew it at its base. The scar will be barely visible because it is hidden in the crease between the nostril and the cheek.
Nostril Widening or Nasal Aperture
This is a rarely performed operation. Depending on the shape of the nose, the surgeon may shorten the columella (the groove between the two nostrils), which will flatten and widen the nostrils. He or she may also graft cartilage into the nostrils to give them a rounded shape. If the surgeon operates on the tip, ridge, or wings of the nose, this would be more of a classic rhinoplasty procedure.
Retracted Nostrils
They are too retracted when their base is much higher than that of the columella (the groove between the two nostrils). This results in overly open nostrils and a “pig nose” effect. This may be genetic or due to a previous failed rhinoplasty. The surgeon will either raise the base of the columella or lower the nostrils by performing a cartilage graft. He or she may also operate on the tip of the nose, but this will no longer be relevant to nasal surgery.
Nostril Reconstruction
This occurs after an accident (car, bicycle, or scooter accident, dog or horse bite, torn piercing, etc.) or a condition requiring the removal of part of the nose (cancer, melanoma, etc.). The surgeon will reconstruct the nose by grafting pieces of skin and cartilage and possibly placing a silicone graft under the skin.
Ideally, a simulation should be performed to visualize the result and discuss the feasibility of the operation.
A technical and delicate operation for the surgeon
The nose, and therefore the nostrils, are located right in the center of the face and are extremely exposed to view. Indeed, the nose is highly visible both from the front and from the side. The nostrils play a major role in our self-image and self-confidence. What could be more annoying than seeing someone inspecting your nostrils instead of listening to what you’re saying?
The surgeon must therefore perform highly precise cosmetic, plastic, or reconstructive surgery. The cartilage removal or grafting must be extremely precise. The surgeon can also adjust the thickness of the skin. The scars must be discreet and hidden inside the nostrils as much as possible.
Another major difficulty in nostril surgery is facial symmetry. From the side, this should not pose a problem. However, when looking at the face from the front, both nostrils must be perfectly aligned, proportional, and harmonious. A slight difference between the two nostrils will be quickly visible.
Pain, Recovery, Healing
While the operation is very precise and delicate for the surgeon, it is generally relatively well tolerated by the patient. The operation is not overly painful, and postoperative swelling decreases quickly if cold (ice) is applied. Healing is rapid. Most of the time, the operation is performed under local anesthesia, so operative risks are minimized. However, like any surgery, narinoplasty presents risks (postoperative infection, allergy to anesthetics, etc.). Therefore, the surgeon will discuss these risks with you before you decide to proceed. Sometimes, tissues heal poorly (retractile fibrosis, skin fibers that do not heal in the correct direction, etc.). The surgeon can correct these defects by performing a touch-up several months later.
What are the steps of nostril surgery?
- Personal reflection on the desired changes and creation of a simulation based on a photo. This is where Chirurgie-avant-après.fr comes in.
- First consultation with the surgeon: the surgeon validates or rejects the feasibility of the operation, warns about the risks, the next steps in the care pathway, etc.
- Medical examinations prescribed by the surgeon to ensure your suitability for surgery (anesthesia, good health (blood tests, serology, etc.), possible psychological assessment, etc.)
- D-Day: Rhinoplasty surgery. The operation is performed under local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure (no overnight stay in the hospital). Cases of general anesthesia and hospitalization are very rare.
- Day 5: Removal of sutures and dressings. Take good care of the scars with the prescribed ointment. Day 10: Bruising (swelling) has almost completely disappeared.
- Days 15 to 21: You can resume exercise, smoking, and drinking alcohol.
- Two to three months later, the final result begins to stabilize. Your surgeon will generally suggest a follow-up visit after three months. Protect any scars that may be exposed to the sun (nose mask or sunscreen) for one year.
- One year later, the result is normally stabilized and definitive.
BEFORE/AFTER photo of nostril surgery (simulation)
