Alar Reduction in Korea
Narrow wide or flared nostrils so your nose looks slimmer, higher and better proportioned.
Slim nostrils, refined proportions
Alar reduction (nostril reduction) narrows wide, flared nostrils to improve the proportion of the nose. YUNO uses two techniques: excising a small amount of skin at the base of the ala and closing it, or an internal cinching suture that draws the lower nostrils toward the centre. It can be done alone or with rhinoplasty.
Wide nostrils make a nose look lower and flatter than it is, and can make a tip look blunt. Narrowing the base often makes the whole nose appear slimmer and more three-dimensional, even without changing the bridge.
Good candidates
- A nose that looks large overall
- A tip that looks blunt and low
- Wide nostrils with a flat, spread tip
- A tip that sits noticeably low
- Anyone wanting more ideal nasal proportions
Why the cause matters
If the nostrils are wide because the tip is flat, tip surgery may be needed too. If only the base is wide, alar reduction alone can be very effective.
How the surgery is tailored
Alar skin excision
A small wedge of skin at the base of the nostril is removed and the edges are closed, reducing nostril width. Can be done alone or with rhinoplasty.
Internal cinching suture
When only the lower nostrils are wide, a suture placed inside draws both sides toward the centre, narrowing the base and lifting the tip slightly.
Alar Reduction information
Times are typical and vary with each case. As with any surgery, bleeding, infection or inflammation can occur, and the degree differs between individuals. Your surgeon will explain risks and aftercare in detail.
Alar Reduction: questions
Will alar reduction leave a visible scar?
The incision follows the natural crease where the nostril meets the cheek, so the scar usually becomes faint as it matures. The internal technique leaves no external scar.
Can alar reduction be done on its own?
Yes. It can be performed alone or combined with rhinoplasty in one surgery.
Is the result permanent?
Removing skin gives a lasting change. The suture technique is also durable, though the right method depends on your nostril shape.
How long is recovery?
Most patients return to daily life within about a week, after the stitches are removed.
Explore more
Send your photos, get an honest opinion
Share front and side photos on WhatsApp or KakaoTalk. A board-certified plastic surgeon will review your nose and suggest only what you need.