Wide Nose: How to Make a Wide Nose Smaller

What is a Wide Nose?

A wide nose describes any nose that has a broad or wide appearance, especially either a wide nose bridge (at the top of the nose) or wide nostrils. It can be a cause of self-consciousness for many people making them feel their nose is very prominent or isn’t in balance with their other facial features. Many patients are interested in how to make your nose look narrower.

There are a number of treatments and procedures which can help to address a wide nose, depending on your exact concerns and desired results.

What Causes a Wide Nose?

A wide nose can have a number of causes. It is important to understand the cause in order to ensure the treatment is suitable and effective. Causes of a fat nose include:

Genetics – The shape and size of a person’s nose are heavily influenced by genetics. If members of your family have broad noses, it is more likely that you will grow up with a wide nasal shape.
Ethnicity – People from an Asian, African or Mediterranean descent may be more likely to have a broad nose. This is due to these places typically having a warmer climate and a broader nose being suited to processing warm air effectively.
Nasal anatomy – Some people just naturally have broader nasal bones or thicker cartilage in their noses, which can result in the nose appearing wider.
Injury – Injuries such as a broken nose can result in a wider flatter appearance. This may also affect breathing and overall comfort.

Having a wide nose is a natural variation of facial anatomy and beauty standards across different cultures and between individuals vary widely. Having a wide nose should not be seen as negative.

Cosmetic Surgery

Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty, or a nose job, reduces the shape and size of the nose for health and aesthetic purposes.

How to Make Your Wide Nose Smaller with Wide Nose Surgery

There are a number of surgical options for adapting the size and shape of a wide nose. Depending on your exact concerns your surgeon may discuss the following wide nose surgery procedures with you during your consultation:

Surgical Rhinoplasty – This is a surgical procedure carried out under general anaesthetic to modify the shape and size of the nose. There are different types of Rhinoplasty, which can address different concerns and produce different results. If you are experiencing breathing difficulties, your surgeon may suggest a Septo-Rhinoplasty to remedy any breathing concerns as well as enhancing the aesthetics of the nose
Nose Tip Rhinoplasty – If your concerns are focused on the tip of your nose, a Rhino-Tip Surgery may be suitable for you. Also called a Nasal Tip Suspension, this procedure reduces the size of the tip of the nose and enhances the position to lift any drooping.
Alarplasty – Also known as Alar Base Reduction, this surgery is how to your your nostrils look smaller. Alarplasty reduces the size of wide nostrils. This procedure is commonly combined with other nose surgeries to enhance the final result but can also be carried out as a standalone procedure if your concerns are centred around reducing the size of big nostrils.

The exact surgery that will address your concerns, depends on the cause of your wide nose and the results you are hoping for. Your surgeon will discuss the different options with you as part of your consultation. They will also show you a range of wide nose job before and after photos so you can see the results of similar procedures.

How to Make Your Nose Less Wide without Surgery?

As well as surgery, there are non-surgical treatments which are alternatives to wide nose surgery for some patients. Typically, these are not permanent and will need further appointments to maintain the results.

Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty – Also known as a Liquid Rhinoplasty, this treatment uses dermal fillers to change the appearance of the nose. Some patients opt for a Non-surgical Rhinoplasty to see what they may be able to achieve from a Surgical Rhinoplasty. Although it may seem counter-intuitive to reduce the size of the nose by adding filler, a skilled surgeon can create an optical illusion which makes the nose appear proportionally smaller.
Botox – For patients who are looking for a more subtle result may opt for Botox to slim down their nose. Botox for wide nose works by constricting the activity of the muscles which pull the nostrils sideways and the tip of the nose downwards. This is a very effective treatment for patients who are concerned about an overactive nostril flare.

Although non-surgical treatments do not permanently alter the tissue and bone structures as surgical options do, they can be very effective for patients who aren’t looking for dramatic results, or who are happy to return for further treatments.

Wide Nose Rhinoplasty

For patients who are concerned about the appearance of a broad nose, Surgical Rhinoplasty is the most comprehensive and effective solution. Rhinoplasty surgery can encompass a number of different procedures and techniques to create the most flattering and successful result based on your concerns.

Wide Nose Rhinoplasty involves your surgeon modifying the cartilage and tissue inside your nose to create a smaller, slimmer shape. This may also include using cartilage that has been taken from another part of your body to support the nose and help to create the final shape. Depending on the results you are hoping for your surgeon can use either Open or Closed Rhinoplasty which come with different benefits.

Wide Nose Rhinoplasty is carried out under general anaesthetic and usually takes 3-4 hours to complete. At Cadogan Clinic, this is undertaken as a day procedure, meaning you can go home the same day to recover in the comfort of your own home.

How Long Does it Take to Recover from a Wide Nose Rhinoplasty?

The recovery process following a wide nose job usually takes up to 8 weeks for full healing. However, the final shape of your nose can take up to 6 months to fully settle. Your surgeon will ask you to be patient during the healing period as your nose may appear undefined or uneven.

During the recovery period, your surgeon will ask you to avoid any strenuous activity to prevent any strain on your nose as it heals. You will also need to wear a splint for the first week, following your surgery to support your nose and protect your surgical results.

To ensure you achieve your desired results, it is crucial you follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions. Not following these instructions may lead to complications such as seroma, haematoma, infection, poor healing or an unwanted change in shape. This may lead to the need for a secondary surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the risks of wide nose surgery?

All surgical cosmetic procedures carry certain risks and complications. Your surgeon will discuss these with you during your consultation and will make sure you understand how they may impact your surgery.

Specific risks that may impact a nose job for a wide nose include: