Q. Are there limits to how much the tip of the nose can be raised if the skin is thin?

Hello, I’m Director Seo Chan-eol of AB Plastic Surgery.

Today, let’s go over a Q&A about rhinoplasty that you may be curious about.

Q. Are there limits to how much the tip of the nose can be raised if the skin is thin?

If the skin is thin and the tip of the nose is raised a lot, what problems can occur, and how can they be addressed?

To begin with the conclusion: if the skin is thin and the tip of the nose is raised too much, problems such as cartilage showing through or being felt on touch can occur. However, these issues can be addressed by reinforcing the area with your own tissue or artificial dermis.

Let’s say you bought a carton of 500 ml milk at a convenience store.

Now you put it in your coat pocket and head home. If the coat you are wearing is a large, thick padded jacket, the carton of milk in your pocket will not stand out.

But if it is a thin, tight windbreaker, it will bulge out noticeably, and this can be compared to a nose tip that has been raised a lot while the skin is thin.

If the skin over the nose tip is thin like this, the shape of the firm cartilage support structure at the tip may become visible or feel hard to the touch, which can create a sense of discomfort. If this is a concern, the nose tip height is set a little lower. However, some people naturally have thin skin at the tip of the nose, and some may have become thinner due to previous surgery. If these people want a slightly more defined bridge-like look, what options are there?

If the problem is not that the skin or cartilage of the nose tip is firm and does not stretch, but simply that it is thin, then it can be sufficiently addressed.

Usually, if autologous rib cartilage is harvested from the donor site, or if autologous dermis is harvested from behind the ear, or if an artificial dermis material is used to reinforce the nose tip, visibility or palpability can be reduced. With these methods, the nose can be raised more than the usual limit.

However, when it comes to the height of the nose tip, in addition to these factors, the firmness of the skin mentioned earlier, the stretchability of the cartilage, and blood circulation should also be considered together.

Rather than simply wondering whether it is possible, it is better to visit the clinic and set a goal for a beautiful nose through consultation with a specialist.

I hope this was helpful in answering your questions.

This has been Director Seo Chan-eol of AB Plastic Surgery.