Alar Reduction (Alar Reduction)
Wide alae are refined precisely, finishing a polished nose line, with scarring kept down.
Alar Reduction, In short?
Alar reduction narrows the alae to suit facial proportion and evens out the nostrils. It suits those who want facial balance and a cleaner, more refined impression through narrower alae, and a slim, harmonious alar line, a more three-dimensional face, better balance and an urbane, refined impression can be expected.
Source: SM Plastic Surgery Lee Mooyoung Director (board-certified plastic surgeon, clinical experience 24 years)
Key Facts
| Procedure time | Approx. 30 minutes |
|---|---|
| Anesthesia Method | Local / sedation |
| Return to daily life | After 5–7 days |
| Suture Removal | After 7 days |
| Follow-up visits | 2–3 follow-up visits / no hospital stay |
Procedure Information
Treatment Area: Nose
Procedure Type: Surgical procedure
Attending Physician: Director Lee Mooyoung
SM's approach
Frequently Asked Questions
After alar reduction, will the nostrils fold in?
Alar reduction at SM Plastic Surgery is designed so the nostril shape does not fold in and the nose keeps a form that fits your face. Over-excision is avoided, and the procedure follows each person's facial proportion.
Can alar reduction be performed alone?
Yes — alar reduction can be done on its own. It takes about 30 minutes, under local anaesthesia or sedation.
Can it be done together with rhinoplasty?
Yes. Doing rhinoplasty (bridge and tip) and alar reduction together lets the proportions of the whole nose be set at once, so a more harmonious result can be expected.
Does surgery leave a scar?
The incision follows the crease line of the ala and is finely sutured, so the scar is barely visible, blending in further as time passes.
About how long is recovery?
A return to daily life is possible 5–7 days after surgery, with sutures out after 7 days. Follow-up visits number around 2–3, with no hospital stay.
Consultation guide
Phone: +82-2-537-3707
Location: 9F, 435 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea (Gangnam Station)