Cosmetic rhinoplasty is the most effective way to address concerns about the size, shape or profile of your nose. However, while rhinoplasty can achieve excellent (and permanent) results, many patients are concerned about the risk of rhinoplasty leaving a visible scar.
Scars from rhinoplasty are a possibility, but as you’ll find out as you read on, most patients can achieve excellent, scar-free results.
Are scars from rhinoplasty common?
While on occasion rhinoplasty can leave a scar, modern surgical techniques have made the likelihood of experiencing visible scars very low. Rhinoplasty can be performed using either the ‘open’ or ‘closed’ technique, which each yield a different result for the patient.
Scars from closed rhinoplasty (endonasal rhinoplasty)
Closed rhinoplasty is an innovative technique that can be used to make minor alterations to the shape of the nose, such as straightening a crooked nose or correcting a dorsal hump.
During closed rhinoplasty, the surgical incisions are made inside the nostrils rather than on the visible skin. This approach ensures that a closed rhinoplasty scar should never be visible, producing what is essentially a completely scar-free result.
Unfortunately, closed rhinoplasty won’t be suitable for every patient. Patients requiring more extensive work will likely need to undergo open rhinoplasty.
Scars from open rhinoplasty (external rhinoplasty)
In cases where more extensive work is required, it’s likely that your surgeon will recommend an open rhinoplasty.
To perform open rhinoplasty, the surgeon will need to make an incision along the columella (the strip of tissue that separates the nostrils) to gain full access to the nose structure. For this reason, an open rhinoplasty scar is more common—however, once healed, a columella scar should be virtually invisible.
Do rhinoplasty scars disappear and how long does it take?
Scar tissue is an unavoidable part of any type of surgery involving an incision, however, the body does naturally heal scar tissue and your rhinoplasty scar should disappear entirely given ample time.
While you should notice any major scarring to start fading around one week after your rhinoplasty procedure, it can take around 3-6 months for the scar to disappear entirely.
As rhinoplasty incisions are typically made on the underside of the nose, any residual scars which do remain after healing is complete should be virtually imperceptible and can be easily disguised with make-up.
What are the options if your rhinoplasty scar doesn’t disappear?
While the likelihood of experiencing a noticeable scar following rhinoplasty is low, if after healing is complete you are still unhappy with your rhinoplasty scar, the use of carefully targeted steroid injections may help to minimize its appearance.
While not usually recommended, in some cases, a revision rhinoplasty can also be performed to remove any scar tissue.
Don’t risk it with anyone less than the best
Choosing a rhinoplasty surgeon is a difficult decision which requires careful deliberation.
When you entrust Dr. Sedgh to perform your rhinoplasty procedure, you’ll enjoy peace of mind that you’re in the hands of a double-board certified facial plastic surgeon with extensive medical training and experience. During a personal consultation, Dr. Sedgh will talk you through the procedure and likely results to help you decide if rhinoplasty is right for you.
Contact us to request an appointment.
Posted on behalf of Sedgh Plastic Surgery
