Noses

Can nose holes be made smaller with rhinoplasty?

12 June, 2024 · Updated on 28 September 2026

Reviewed by Dr. Gustavo Sordo, plastic surgeon

We all know that plastic surgery can modify the appearance of our face, but… can the nostrils be made smaller with rhinoplasty?

The answer is yes . To do this, plastic surgeons specializing in rhinoplasty, like Dr. Gustavo Sordo , pay attention to the patient's frontal view. From there, they draw an imaginary vertical line downwards that passes exactly through the inner corner of the eye. When the nostrils extend laterally beyond this imaginary vertical line from the inner corner , the nose is considered too wide , and it is advisable to narrow the nostrils or their base.

How is the base of the nose reduced during rhinoplasty?

When we want to reduce the base of the nose in the context of a rhinoplasty, the surgeon will remove some wedges of skin that are placed at the base of the nose so that the scar from the operation is not noticeable and thus close the nostrils.

In any case, before performing rhinoplasty in Madrid or ultrasonic rhinoplasty in Madrid , Dr. Gustavo Sordo will offer the patient a computerized simulation of the expected result—that is, a visual representation of their new appearance after surgery . This is possible thanks to an advanced rhinoplasty simulator, which helps avoid unpleasant surprises after the procedure. In this way, the patient is aware, at all times, of the effect the changes will have on their final appearance. And, if they are not satisfied, they can adjust the settings until they achieve the desired look, keeping in mind that the nose simulations we create are based on possible modifications that can be made to patients, hence their similarity to the actual rhinoplasty result.

An important point to consider before performing an alar base reduction: often the nostrils appear wide but are not . When the tip is under-projected, the nose flattens and the nostrils flare out; by projecting and properly supporting the tip with a septal extension graft, the base narrows on its own without any need for cutting. This is why we always assess the alar base at the end of the surgery, after the tip has been fitted, and not at the beginning.

When reduction is necessary, it's a very deliberate procedure: planned with millimeter precision, leaving the scar hidden in the alar crease. It's important to know that this is one of the few external scars from rhinoplasty, and although it's usually very discreet, it is present; in thick, oily skin, special care must be taken. Our rule is simple: it's better to err on the side of caution and reassess during a follow-up appointment, because an over-reduced alar base is very difficult to correct.