Rhinoplasty is one of the most transformative cosmetic procedures you can undergo. If you’re self-conscious about your nose, it can have a negative impact on your overall confidence. In the hands of a highly skilled surgeon with a thorough understanding of facial anatomy and a strong sense of proportion, a nose job will reshape or restructure your nose for a more pleasing appearance. In many cases, a minor change in the shape of the nose is enough to create beautiful harmony with all the other facial features. At Feel Beautiful in San Diego, many patients come to us with concerns about their wide or bulbous nasal tip and leave thrilled with their new nose after Dr. Laverson performs a simple tip rhinoplasty. 

What is a tip rhinoplasty?

Tip rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that involves modifying the underlying structures and reshaping the tip of the nose. Tip rhinoplasty can be combined with a full rhinoplasty, a  septoplasty, or performed alone. Compared to a full rhinoplasty, a tip rhinoplasty is a quicker procedure, and involves shorter downtime and recovery time. It can be done under local anesthesia or sedation, and it takes 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the patient’s individual needs and goals.  Tip rhinoplasty can be used to address problems with a droopy tip, hooked tip, wide tip, asymmetrical tip, and other aesthetic concerns in the tip of the nose. It can also be used to repair a defect that interferes with nasal functioning. The most common request we receive from our tip rhinoplasty patients is for a thinner tip. 

How does rhinoplasty make the nasal tip thinner?

The two main approaches to tip rhinoplasty include closed tip rhinoplasty and open tip rhinoplasty. 

• Closed tip rhinoplasty involves small incisions inside the nostril, where they will leave no visible scars. This approach is best for simple, minor changes to the nasal structure. 
• Open tip rhinoplasty involves a small incision in the columella (the area beneath the nose tip and between the nostrils). The skin is then pulled back just enough to expose the tip structures. The open procedure is best for more extensive sculpting and reshaping. 

In both tip rhinoplasty approaches, when the main goal is to make the nasal tip thinner, Dr. Laverson trims and sculpts bulbous tip cartilage or removes excess soft tissue sculpted for a smaller, more pleasing nasal tip.

What other changes can tip rhinoplasty achieve?

In addition to sculpting and trimming a bulbous nasal tip, Dr. Laverson can also use tip rhinoplasty to increase the volume of the tip in order to correct a pointy nose or shorten the length and increase the tip projection in order to correct a droopy tip. Tip rhinoplasty can provide maximum impact for the overall appearance of the nose and the face. When the distraction of a disproportionate or asymmetrical nasal tip has been corrected, people will pay more attention to your eyes, lips, cheekbones, and other beautiful facial features.  

Beautiful new nose. Beautiful new you. 

If a bulbous, wide, pointy, hooked, crooked, or asymmetrical nasal tip is getting in the way of how you feel about your appearance, or if it’s affecting your breathing function, tip rhinoplasty may be just what you need. When you come in for a rhinoplasty consultation with Dr. Laverson, he’ll examine your nose, listen to your concerns and your goals, and create a treatment plan designed to modify your imperfections and reshape your nose for balance, proportion, and facial harmony. For more information or to schedule a consultation, give us a call at (858) 295-4001 today.