Alarplasty in Korea – Reducing width of nostrils

Not everyone is born with a slender perfect nose shape. And for many Asians, the cold hard truth is that flat and wide nostrils are common characteristics of Asian noses.

So if you have flat and wide nostrils that are seriously bothering you, do not fret. Because there is a solution to your problem. While for some, undergoing tip plasty to define their nose tip can help improve the appearance of their nostrils, unfortunately, it is not so for those with overly large nostrils.

Therefore, if you have overly wide nostrils and thick alar skin, alarplasty might actually be a better option for you. Read along to find out more about alarplasty, the procedure, its benefits and risks, and find out if you really need this procedure.

What is the golden ratio for Korean noses?

The golden ratio varies among individuals because everyone is born with different nose shapes, features and face shape. The key to a beautiful nose is finding the balance between your eyes, nose and face shape.

Here is a rough guide for finding the optimal ratio for your nose:

Optimal nose ratio for women:

• Ideal ratio between the forehead-eyebrows, eyebrows-nose, and nose-chin is 1:1:1.
• Optimal ratio between the length of eyes and width of nose is 1:1:1.
• Inner corner of eyes and corner of nose should be vertically aligned.
• Outer corner of eyes and corner of nose should be diagonally aligned.
• Ideal angle for the “sunken” area at the top of nose (nasofrontal angle) is 120°~140°.
• Optimal angle between the nose and upper lip (nasolabial angle) is 95°-110°.
• Having a supratip break (subtle indentation just above nose tip) is considered attractive for a woman’s nose.
• Slightly curved nose bridges makes women look more feminine.

Optimal nose ratio for men:

• Ideal ratio between the forehead-eyebrows, eyebrows-nose, and nose-chin is 1:1:1.
• Optimal ratio between the length of eyes and width of nose is 1:1:1.
• Inner corner of eyes should be vertically aligned with corner of nose.
• Outer corner of eyes should be diagonally aligned with corner of nose.
• Ideal angle for the “sunken” area at the top of nose (nasofrontal angle) is 140°~150°.
• Optimal angle between the nose and upper lip (nasolabial angle) is 90°-105°.
• Straight nose bridges makes men look more masculine.

What is alarplasty?

Alarplasty, aka alar base reduction surgery, is a specific type of rhinoplasty procedure used to change the shape and size of your alar base.

In fact, alarplasty is often combined with other types of rhinoplasty for a more defined, slender and symmetrical nose. Likewise, it is also popular among those who seek to:

• Reduce the flared appearance of their nostrils
• Minimize the width of their bulbous nose
• Correct the shape of asymmetrical nostrils

If you are unsure whether the current width of your nasal base is optimal for your nose, follow these steps to check:

Firstly, draw an imaginary straight line from the inner corner of your eyes down to the nostrils. Secondly, check and see if your current nasal base extends outside of that line. If it does, then it is too wide for your nose.

How alarplasty can fix your bulbous nose

The aim of alarplasty is to reduce the overall size of your nostrils while removing excess alar skin and adjusting the shape of your nostrils. In short, it is a nostril reduction surgery. Some benefits of alarplasty include: 

• Reducing the width of a wide nasal base
• Removing excess skin of bulbous nose
• Fixing asymmetrical nostrils
• Changing the shape of nostrils
• Making the width of your nose appear slimmer

That said, always discuss with your doctor first to make sure that alarplasty is what you really need or want. Because this procedure is irreversible. And once you have removed the skin tissues, it’s nearly impossible to add them back. In addition, removing too much skin can result in overly narrow nostrils, which in turn, causes nasal breathing problems in the long run.

How is alarplasty done?

There are 2 types of alarplasty methods – incisional alar reduction and non-incisional alar reduction. Depending on the thickness of your alar skin as well as how far apart your nostrils are, your plastic surgeon will decide on the best surgical method for you.

1. Incisional alar reduction surgery

Incisional alar reduction involves removing excess skin tissues at your nose wing to form smaller nostrils. The incision method is most effective and highly recommended for those who:

• Have excessively wide nasal base (nostrils that are far apart)
• Has thick nasal skin
• Wants to correct the shape of their nostrils

2. Non-incisional alar reduction surgery

Non-incisional alar reduction involves tying your nostrils closer to the inside and towards the base of your nose. Incisions are made inside your nose only. This non-incision method is more effective for those who:

• Have thin nasal skin
• Does not need removal of excess skin tissues
• Does not have overly large nostril shape

How long does alarplasty take?

Alarplasty in Korea usually lasts 30~60 mins and is performed under local anesthesia so you will not feel any pain.

When can I see results?

Incisional alar reduction method

For incision method, major bruising and swelling last 2~3 weeks. Accurate results are visible after 1 month, and final results can be seen after 1 year.

Non-Incisional alar reduction method

For non incision method, major swelling and bruising last up to 1 week. Accurate results are visible after 1 month, and final results can be seen after 6 months.

Do take note that the success of your alarplasty surgery not only lies in the hands of your surgeon but also how you well you recover after surgery. So learn how to properly care for yourself during the recovery period by reading our article on nose surgery aftercare and post-op instructions.

Actual recovery time vary among individuals, and is subjected to one’s health condition & healing response.

How long should I stay in Korea?

Alarplasty surgery in Korea is not considered a major surgery so hospitalization is not required. But do stay until your stitches are removed. And go shopping in the meantime!

Stitch removal

Stitches are usually removed 7 days after surgery.

Cautions on stitch removal

If you remove the stitches earlier then advised, your wound might reopen, therefore causing an infection. And if you remove it too late, you risk further scarring and pigmentation.

Due to time constraints, you might be considering having your stitches removed at the local hospitals in your home country. Although that is possible (but not recommended), it largely depends on how well you have been healing and is also subjected to doctor’s approval.

Alternatives to alarplasty

Unfortunately, there isn’t an alternative to alarplasty. However, in certain situations, undergoing tip plasty to define and sharpen your nose tip can actually improve the appearance of your nostrils. If you are only looking for a slight enhancement of your nasal base, you might wish to try tipplasty first.

However, if you have overly large nostrils and thick alar skin, getting alarplasty would probably be a more effective solution for you.

What other surgery complements alarplasty?

1. Flat nose surgery

If you have a flat and wide nose, you might wish to consider combining flat nose surgery for a taller and more defined nose.

2. Tip plasty surgery

When reducing the width of your nasal base is not be enough, tip plasty is combined for a sharper and more defined nose tip.

3. Hump nose surgery

Remove the unsightly hump on your nose bridge with hump nose surgery for a more defined and slender nose.

4. Septoplasty surgery

If you have a crooked nose, even if it’s not for aesthetic reasons, get it fixed for functional reasons with septoplasty.

5. Eye plastic surgery

Rhinoplasty is often combined with eye plastic surgery for those who are looking to change the way they look.

Conclusion

If you are truly bothered by the appearance of your bulbous nose, alarplasty is a straightforward solution to your nose problems. Truth is, alarplasty is in fact, frequently combined with other rhinoplasty procedures as an “add-on procedure” to achieve a more defined and slender nose.

However, because alarplasty is irreversible, do make sure that you really want and need this procedure before diving head on. Needless to say, make sure to consult a highly skilled doctor who is well-versed in nose surgeries, no matter how simple a nose procedure might be.