Will The Scars From Rhinoplasty
be Visible or Permanent?

When Rhinoplasty is performed from inside the nose (Closed Rhinoplasty), there is no visible scarring at all; but when a more intrusive technique is used (Open Rhinoplasty), or when the procedure calls for the narrowing of flared nostrils (Alarplasty) there may be some visible scarring.

If you choose to go to a Board Certified plastic or cosmetic surgeon small scars on the base of the nose are usually not visible.

In the Closed Rhinoplasty approach, also called endonasal rhinoplasty, all of the surgical incisions are positioned inside the nostrils to prevent scarring. Although parallel incisions encircle nearly half of the nostril lining, no part of the incision can be seen externally and a visible scar is avoided. While a visible scar is prevented, considerable challenges and technical limitations are associated with the relative lack of surgical access.

Unlike the closed rhinoplasty, the open or external rhinoplasty approach employs a small bridging incision, called a trans-columellar incision, to connect the right and left nostril incisions. Direct visibility of almost the entire nasal framework is now achieved and distortion of the nasal cartilage is minimized and individual components can be evaluated in their natural, undisturbed alignment. When everything is finished and the incisions have been stitched, the incision site will have little to no scarring at all. After the operation is complete and you are fully healed there should be no visible scar.