Any surgical incision will leave a scar. However, the incision for alarplasty is well hidden in the natural crease where the nostrils meet the cheeks. Incision lines will fade to become even less detectable over time.

You may be asked to stop taking aspirin, Ibuprofen, anti-inflammatory medications, herbal remedies, and high-dosage multivitamins for two weeks before the surgery, and to refrain from drinking alcohol or smoking for at least two weeks before and two weeks after the procedure.

Be sure to get a good night’s sleep before the day of the surgery. Bathe and wash your hair, but do not apply any lotions, creams, or makeup.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing and a top that buttons in the front. Remove all jewelry and nail polish before arriving for your procedure.

As a standalone procedure, alarplasty can be performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. To narrow the nostrils, the surgeon makes an incision in the alar region where the nostrils meet the cheeks, either on the inside or the outside of the nose. The surgeon then removes a specific amount of tissue and closes the incision with sutures.

This delicate procedure to narrow and reshape the nostrils can be performed under local anesthesia in less than an hour. Alarplasty is performed on an outpatient basis, and patients are released to go home after the procedure.

Unlike rhinoplasty, no bone or cartilage is removed in an alarplasty procedure, which makes recovery faster and easier for the patient. You can expect minor bruising and swelling, which should resolve within a few days after surgery.

A cold pack applied to the treatment area can help reduce swelling. Avoid sleeping with your face against the pillow. Do not blow your nose, and if you sneeze, open your mouth to divert airflow from the nose.

Most patients can resume normal activities immediately after the surgery and return to work within one week. Sutures are removed in seven to 14 days. Avoid strenuous activity for two to three weeks after the procedure.

After alarplasty surgery at Torkian Facial Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles, you can expect long-lasting results that are immediately visible. Final results will appear when post-surgical swelling fully subsides.

The nostrils will be smaller and the structure of the nose will appear more symmetrical. When properly performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon, alarplasty can bring a striking increase in the balance and harmony of your facial structure.