Signature procedure
Alar reduction in Korea: a narrower nose base in about 20 minutes
Wide nostril wings or large nostrils make the lower nose look heavy and draw attention to the middle of the face. Alar reduction removes a small amount of tissue to narrow the nose base, with the incision placed where it is least visible.
| Procedure time | About 20 minutes |
|---|---|
| Result | Visible straight away |
| Scars | Placed to be as inconspicuous as possible |
| Stitches | Fine stitches — ask the clinic when they are removed so you can plan your stay |
Two kinds of “wide nose”
Flared nostril wings
The wings (alae) curve outward. A small wedge is removed at the outer base of the wing, along the natural crease beside the cheek.
Wide nostrils
The nostril openings themselves are wide. Tissue is removed at the nostril sill, on the inside edge of the opening.
Many noses have a little of both, and the two methods can be combined. Dr. Yu decides the amount and the position of the incision for your nose — removing too much can make the nostrils look unnatural, so the aim is balance rather than the smallest possible nose.
Who it suits
- Your nose looks wide from the front
- Your nostril wings spread out when you smile
- Your nostrils look large or round
- You want a more refined nose without changing the bridge
Incisional or non-incisional?
If the width is mild and the wings are thin, non-incisional alar reduction may be enough. When the wings themselves are large or thick, removing tissue gives a clearer, longer-lasting result. Dr. Yu explains which suits you at consultation.
Looking at the whole face
Harmony’s philosophy is that surgery should consider facial harmony. A nose base that is right for one face can look too narrow on another, so the design is based on your eyes, cheeks, lips and chin — see rhinoplasty for combined plans.
Frequently asked questions
Will the scar show?
The incision follows the natural crease beside the nostril wing or sits inside the nostril, so it is usually hard to see once healed. How a scar matures differs between people.
Can I go home soon after?
The procedure takes about 20 minutes. Ask the clinic about stitch removal and when you can fly, so you can plan your stay.
This website provides general information about procedures offered at Harmony Plastic Surgery and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Every procedure carries risks such as swelling, bruising, asymmetry, scarring or infection, and results differ from person to person. Suitability is decided by the surgeon after an in-person examination.
Guides
Related reading
How to check that your surgeon in Korea is a board-certified plastic surgeon
What “board-certified plastic surgeon” means in Korea, how clinic names reveal it, the questions to ask about who operates, and Korea’s operating-room CCTV rules.
SafetyPlastic surgery safety in Korea: a checklist for visitors
A practical safety checklist for plastic surgery in Korea: the surgeon, anaesthesia and monitoring, CCTV, sterilisation, emergency readiness, consent and aftercare.
ConsultationYour nose consultation in Korea: what to prepare and what to ask
How to prepare for a nose consultation in Korea: describing what bothers you, photos to bring, and the questions to ask about method, stitches, recovery and cost.
Also at the clinic
Related treatments
Non-incisional alar reduction
A suture technique that narrows the nostril wings without cutting the skin — about 10 minutes, back to daily life right away.
Read more →
Columella lift (hanging columella)
A short procedure that raises a columella that hangs low and shows too much from the side — about 30 minutes.
Read more →
Rhinoplasty
Nose surgery designed around the balance of your whole face, by a female board-certified plastic surgeon.
Read more →Tell us what you would like to change about your nose.
Dr. Yu will look at your whole face and recommend only what you need.