Alar Reduction

Check if this sounds like you!

This is when you need alar reduction.

• Your nose spreads wide when you smile, and it worries you
• Your nostrils are asymmetrical, and it bothers you
• Your bridge is high, but your nose looks low from the front
• Your nose looks round and heavy, like a bulbous nose
• Your nostril wings are wider than the space between your brows
• Your nostril wings are large and rounded
• Large nostrils make your nose look spread out

Are your nostril wings giving you a heavy, blunt look? A 10-second self-check

From the pyramid type, wide at the base, to the bulbous type, thick all over, knowing your nostril wing type is the first step toward successful alar reduction.

Pyramid type

Nostril wings that are wide at the bottom

Round type

Nostril wings that are wide in the middle

Jar type

Nostril wings that are wide all the way to the top

Bulbous type

Nostril wings that are wide overall

Slim down flared nostril wings and bring definition to the center of your face

Alar Reduction

• When a heavy look hides otherwise attractive features, wide nostril wings are the cause. No matter how much you raise the bridge, if the nostril wings are broad and spread out, that clunky look won't go away. Alar reduction alone can change how your nose and face look.

Surgery time

1 hour 30 minutes

Anesthesia

Local anesthesia / IV sedation

Follow-up visits

2 to 3 visits

Hospital stay

Not required

Recovery

3 days to 1 week

Stitch removal

After 7 days

Who alar reduction is for

• The nose is large overall
• The tip is blunt and low
• The nostril wings are wide and flared
• The skin and fat of the nostril wings are thick
• You want a slim, sleek nose line
• The nose looks squashed compared with the bridge
• The alar cartilages (the wing-shaped tip cartilages) spread wide to the sides

No two noses are alike: alar reduction methods by type

01

Case

(Incisional) Thick skin on the nostril wings

When the outer wall of the nostril wing is wide, some of its tissue is removed and the area is stitched closed.

01. Wide nostril wings, large nostrils

02. Incision on the outer side of the nostril

03. Stitching after the incision

04. Slimmer nostril wings

02

Case

(Incisional) Nostrils that are wide at the bottom

When the nostril floor is wide, part of the inner nostril wing is removed and the area is stitched closed.

01. Wide nostril floor

02. Incision on the inner side of the nostril

03. Stitching after the incision

04. Slimmer nostril wings

03

Case

(Non-incisional) Wide nostril floor

When the nostril floor is wide, part of the inner nostril wing is removed and the area is stitched closed.

01. Wide nostril wings

02. Tiny incisions on both nostril wings, then a special thread is inserted

03. The nostrils are drawn snugly together and secured

04. Slimmer nostril wings

Nostril wings that look perfect from every angle

Nostril wings wider than the distance between the eyes make the nose look heavy, while nostril wings that are too narrow make the face look longer. Using a vertical line dropped from the inner corner of each eye as our guide, we design the optimal width: not overdone, just right.

From the front

The width of the nostril wings matches the distance between the eyes

From the side

A smooth nostril wing line that neither lifts nor droops

From below

An equilateral triangle, with the nostrils and tip in a 6:4 height ratio

The key to a successful first surgery: a deeper level of analysis

Successful primary rhinoplasty at DOY JUN Plastic Surgery

Surgery planned on outward appearance alone is more likely to fail. The nose has a complex three-dimensional structure, so the first step toward success is knowing the exact condition of the bone and cartilage hidden beneath the skin.

At DOY JUN Plastic Surgery, advanced 3D CT imaging lets us examine the internal structures in detail, including those the naked eye cannot see, to make surgery more accurate and safer.

Precise diagnosis

Before surgery, we analyze in fine detail the thickness and width of your nasal bones and the condition of your skin tissue, which differ from person to person. This helps us head off unexpected problems during surgery so it proceeds according to the planned design.

Septum assessment

We check the size, shape, and curvature of the septal cartilage, the key material in primary rhinoplasty, ahead of time. By accurately predicting how much cartilage can be harvested, we build a safe surgical plan without unnecessary extra cartilage harvesting.

Functional assessment

In the same visit, we also diagnose functional problems inside the nose that cause congestion, such as a deviated septum or enlarged inferior turbinates. Improving not only how the nose looks but also how it works leads to greater satisfaction after surgery.

DOY JUN Plastic Surgery promises a first nose surgery so satisfying it can be your last

We don't simply raise the bridge. We design your nose in proportion to your forehead, chin, and cheekbones, creating a defined, three-dimensional line that looks most natural on your face and won't look dated even as trends change.

We create a nose you'll be happy with every time you look, one that lets you show off your profile in photos with confidence.

Board-certified Plastic Surgeon

Lee Seungjun, Representative Director, DOY JUN Plastic Surgery

6 details that make the difference in results: this is nose surgery at DOY JUN Plastic Surgery

It's not just about raising the bridge. From ideal line design to functional improvements you can't see and a safe surgical environment, DOY JUN meets the standards that nose surgery calls for.

A profile you'll want to show off

Through a thorough consultation and examination, we confirm the bridge line and tip shape you want. Then we perform a primary rhinoplasty you'll be happy with, taking into account your face shape and the look you're going for.

Striking or natural

For your first nose surgery, we design around your preference for a more striking or a more natural look.

Precise 3D CT analysis

We precisely assess what the naked eye can't see, including bone size, the shape of the septal cartilage, and how much it curves.

Three-dimensional design

We look beyond the nose itself and consider the face as a whole, including the forehead, the height between the brows, the bridge line, the tip, the nasolabial angle, and the chin.

Surgery by the Representative Director

The Representative Director, who understands what patients need, handles the entire process personally, from consultation to performing the surgery. This eases anxiety and leads to greater satisfaction.

Functional improvement

A nose should be beautiful, but its essential role as the organ you breathe through matters too. We also improve functional problems that cause nasal blockage, such as a deviated septum and nasal valve narrowing.

DOY JUN Q&A

Will alar reduction alone make my nose look smaller?

• Yes. The nostril wings determine how wide the nose is, so refining them alone can make the whole nose look slimmer. That's why your look can change even without bridge surgery.

Will it be obvious that I had alar reduction?

• When the reduction is matched to your facial proportions, the improvement looks natural, without an overly artificial feel. People often notice the change as “refined” rather than “smaller.”

Will the scars be noticeable?

• In most cases the incision is made inside the nostril or within a natural crease, so the scar is hard to see from the outside. Once you've healed, it can easily be covered with makeup.

Are nose surgery scars noticeable?

• Most incisions are made inside the nose, so external scars are barely visible. Even when an external incision is needed, it heals over time until it is hard to notice.

Will smiling or making expressions feel strange after alar reduction?

• At first you may feel some tightness or an unfamiliar sensation, but you'll naturally adjust over time. It has little effect on everyday facial expressions.

Can my nostrils widen again after alar reduction?

• It depends on your skin elasticity and the surgical method, but we refine and secure the tissue to minimize the chance of widening again.

Do I need bridge or tip surgery along with alar reduction?

• Not necessarily. If the issue is only the nostril wings, alar reduction on its own can bring enough improvement. We decide the most appropriate scope of surgery during your consultation.