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What is a bulbous tip of the nose?
The nose is one of the most prominent, identifiable parts of our face, so it’s not surprising that many of us analyze it and decide to look into correction procedures for inconsistencies with its appearance. Noses come in all shapes and sizes, and many people tell others with abnormal-looking noses that it “gives them character.” Regardless, many of us look at ourselves in the mirror every morning and pick apart our features, especially our noses. No matter how thin or small the bridge and upper part of your nose are, it’s possible to have a larger, uniquely shaped tip disproportionate to the rest of the facial feature. Some people have round, wide, and swollen-looking nasal tips with little to no contour or definition. These are known as bulbous tips and can be corrected with a rhinoplasty. When patients with bulbous tips come to Dr. Markarian, they often share their concerns over the wideness, round shape, and/or general size of their noses. This comes as no surprise, as proportional, well-contoured noses are often associated with attractiveness in society today. A bulbous tip may look mismatched with the rest of the nose in shape or size. It can also appear upturned or droopy.
What causes a bulbous nose tip?
If you are curious about the cause of your bulbous nose, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Markarian so he can assess it and give his professional opinion. Bulbous noses are typically caused by having thicker skin around the tip of the nose, weak cartilage, or hypertrophic lower lateral cartilage under the skin that didn’t quite form properly. The cause can also be a mixture of these factors and others. The cause of your bulbous tip determines which technique surgeons will use to fix it.
Can you fix a bulbous nose tip?
It is common practice for bulbous tips to be corrected with rhinoplasty surgery, usually referred to as a nose job. Rhinoplasty is known to reshape the nose, giving it a softer yet more pointed appearance. By refining and reforming the cartilage, Dr. Markarian can adjust the shape of the tip during a rhinoplasty. All noses are different and come in different shapes and sizes, making us all unique, but the most sought-after tip shape is the sharp, slope-like tip. Dr. Markarian uses his talented sculpting abilities to give people the dream shape of their nose using a suturing technique that leaves it looking natural and proportionate to its other features. Dr. Markarian can correct the bulbous tip while performing rhinoplasty to improve the size and/or shape of the entire nose or during a smaller rhinoplasty specifically targeting the tip. It is less common, however, for surgeons to only target the tip while doing a rhinoplasty because, under some circ*mstances, it can result in weakness over time. If the wider shape of your nose is due to thicker skin around the tip, Dr. Markarian can thin out the nasal tip.
What is recovery following a bulbous tip rhinoplasty?
Downtime following a bulbous tip rhinoplasty is about two weeks. During this period, you must rest with your head in an elevated position as often as possible. Ensure you have plenty of pillows prepared for your recovery before surgery day. You will leave Dr. Markarian’s office on the day of surgery with a cast, taping, and stitches. The taping can be removed 2-3 days following your surgery. He will give you specific instructions on cleaning and maintaining the area until the cast and stitches can be removed, which is in a little over a week. Do not be alarmed if you notice swelling following your rhinoplasty surgery. Any swelling is normal and will gradually reduce within months. You will not see the final results until a full year after your surgery. Rest assured, 90% of the swelling subsides within those first three months after surgery. As bulbous tip rhinoplasty mainly targets the tip, the most sensitive part of the nose, it will most likely take the longest to heal out of all areas of the nose.
After your bulbous tip rhinoplasty, avoid driving for five to seven days, non-contact sports for three weeks, and contact sports for six weeks after surgery. Rhinoplasty surgery is not something you can just walk away from and get straight back into the gym doing your usual strenuous weight lifting and cardio. Be patient and give yourself grace and time to rest so your nose heals correctly and revision surgery doesn’t become a possibility. The result will be worth it, especially when you see your dream nose and its slim, pointed tip shine through.
What will results look like after bulbous tip rhinoplasty?
As mentioned above, you’ll notice that most swelling dissipates about three months after surgery, while final results take approximately a year. When your results debut, you will see the tip of your nose is proportionate to the bridge in size, shape, and width. Dr. Markarian uses his artistic eye to meticulously ensure that the bridge smoothly blends and transitions into the nasal tip giving a natural appearance. Some patients feel their newly shaped noses highlight and complement their other facial features.
Am I a candidate for a bulbous tip rhinoplasty?
To be a candidate for any type of rhinoplasty, you must be old enough for your facial features to have finished growing. If your goal is to correct the tip of your nose, it must be analyzed by a professional to ensure it is a bulbous tip that can be fixed by refining and repositioning the cartilage or tissue. Other characteristics of a good candidate for rhinoplasty include:
- You are in overall good health
- You don’t smoke
- You have realistic expectations of your results
- The size and/or shape of your nose is interrupting your confidence
As the nose is such a prominent feature of each of us, when you correct something that has lowered your self-esteem, your life can truly change for the better and help improve your mental health. If you think you may be a candidate for a rhinoplasty to correct a bulbous tip, schedule a consultation with Dr. Markarian today.
