Cosmetic Rhinoplasty: Tip Rotation and Reduction

By Gary Motykie, MD

Cosmetic Rhinoplasty: Tip Rotation and Reduction | Beverly Hills The lack of proper rotation in the nasal tip means that the tip either lacks definition or is overly defined. Rotation is the upward or downward turn of the tip of the nose.

The surgeon will correct the nasal tip by cartilage reshaping. They will pay close attention to the nose base during this cosmetic surgery as it affects the tension and rotation.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides rhinoplasty to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations.

What is Nose Tip Rhinoplasty?

Any surgery performed on the lower third portion of the nose is known as nasal tip rhinoplasty. This is an intricate plastic surgery procedure. The nose surgeon should be highly-skilled and experienced and have an in-depth understanding of the nose structure and how the cartilage and other tissue impact the process of nose refinement.

Nasal tip refinement is not necessarily a cosmetic surgery. In some cases, it may be a medical requirement. For example, sometimes the patient may have breathing problems because of an abnormally-shaped nasal tip either in their daily life or while sleeping (leading to breathing obstructions, and snoring among other issues).

An abnormal nasal tip can also cause a sinus infection. At times, patients may experience speech impediments due to the abnormal shape of their nose tip.

Need for Tip Refinement

Patients seek tip refinement for multiple reasons. But it is typically undertaken to correct a fuller or “bulbous” nasal tip.

Certain patients may be unhappy about their natural nose structure, especially patients with noses that droop at the tip, “hooked” noses, or upturned noses.

A tip refinement surgery can impact the overall nasal and facial appearance. These procedures typically help develop a slimming look.

Wide Tip Correction

A wide or bulbous nose usually occurs due to a combination of large nasal domes that are spaced widely apart and thick nose skin. The nasal domes refer to the tip defining points of the tip cartilage. A thick ligament or fat separates the nasal domes in many cases.

The nose surgeon will work on the soft tissue and shift the domes closer to address this condition. For patients with thick skin, the surgeon may place the graft on the nasal tip itself. This technique offers a better definition to the nasal tip.

The nasal tip can be made narrow by shaving off or tweaking the cartilage structure underneath the skin as well.

Less Invasive Procedure

The nasal tip refinement surgery is much less invasive than a full nose reshaping procedure. A typical nose surgery involves significant modification of the inner nose structure. This may involve fracturing the bones of the nose which will increase the recovery period.

However, tip refinement typically involves two to three incisions to allow the surgeon to access the underlying cartilage in that site. The surgeon will close the incisions after reshaping the nose. The recovery duration following tip refinement surgery is comparatively short.

A tip refinement surgery can be a suitable alternative to a “complete” rhinoplasty surgery if it is appropriate for the patient’s unique anatomical requirements. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for rhinoplasty.

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