Alar Base Reduction (Alarplasty)

What Is Alar Base Reduction?

Alar base reduction reshapes the nostril base to reduce width, flare, or both. It can be performed alone or combined with rhinoplasty procedures (tip refinement, dorsal/profile work, septorhinoplasty) for overall balance.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

You may benefit from alarplasty if the nostril base draws attention or feels disproportionate to your facial features.

• Wide nostril base relative to mouth and midface
• Excessive flare (nostrils widen prominently on smiling)
• Good tip/dorsum balance but broad alar base
• Desire for subtle narrowing with natural curvature preserved

Techniques We Commonly Use

Your surgeon selects the incision and tissue pattern based on whether width, flare—or both—need correction. Scars are designed to blend in natural creases.

• Weir Excision — crescent-shaped removal at the alar-facial groove to narrow the base and reduce flare.
• Sill Excision — wedge or crescent removal within the nasal sill to decrease width while hiding scars internally.
• Combined Weir + Sill — addresses both flare and width when indicated.
• Tailored Geometry — beveled cuts, V–Y or Z-plasty concepts to maintain curvature and avoid notching.
• Scar Placement — along the alar-facial crease and/or inside the nostril for discretion.

Function-First Planning

Form and function are planned together to maintain comfortable breathing and long-term stability.

• Preservation of alar rim support to avoid notching or collapse
• Attention to internal/external valve integrity when combined with rhinoplasty
• Ethnic-specific planning to respect identity and skin characteristics
• Subtle symmetry checks to avoid over-resection

Recovery & Aftercare

Alar base reduction is typically a day procedure with a focused recovery.

• Sutures ~5–7 days; tapes may be used to control edema
• Bruising/swelling usually settle over 1–2 weeks
• Scar maturation continues for months, typically blending well in creases
• Avoid strenuous activity ~2–3 weeks and protect from sun/trauma

Why Müller Medical Clinic?

Our ENT-led facial plastic team emphasizes proportion, subtlety and airway safety—delivering refined, natural-looking outcomes.

• German-led ENT & facial plastic expertise
• Scar-conscious incision design in natural creases
• Balanced planning with or without full rhinoplasty
• Personalized aftercare and close follow-up

Related Plastic Surgery Procedures

Explore complementary nasal procedures available at Müller Medical Clinic: