The nose is a very prominent facial feature, and any issues with it can compromise the face’s overall aesthetic balance. There are various shapes that can inspire someone to seek out rhinoplasty, ranging from humps on the bridge of the nose and a crooked nose, to a tip lacking definition or a nose gaining a bulbous appearance. While many of these problems are best treated with rhinoplasty, the causes of a bulbous nose require that the problem be approached using a different treatment. So what causes a bulbous nose, and how can the problem be resolved?
Stagnant vs. Worsening Problems
Most aesthetic issues with the nose do not change over time. Many people are born with nasal features they would like to resolve, and in these cases, rhinoplasty is a straightforward answer to these problems. However, a bulbous nose is a condition that develops over time, and most people have little idea of how it emerges.
Causes of a Bulbous Nose
A bulbous nasal tip involves the swelling of a nasal tip that becomes overgrown, sometimes to a disfiguring degree. In many cases, the area also becomes permanently reddened.
At one time, a bulbous nasal tip was thought to be the aesthetic manifestation of overdrinking, which led to a stigma being attached to the growth. However we now know that there is no correlation between alcoholism and a bulbous nose, though that stigma can still persist. Instead, the problem, known as “rhinophyma” is partly caused by the overabundance of oil glands in the nose. Unfortunately, what causes the problem is not fully understood, though it is often linked to the skin condition acne rosacea, a problem that causes the skin to become red and scaly.
Who Gets Rhinophyma?
While anyone can get rhinophyma, it is more common among men and worsens over time. People with rosacea are at a higher risk for developing symptoms. If you start to notice changes in the shape and color of the nasal tip, it is best to seek treatment as soon as possible. Treating mild signs of the problem is easier than waiting until the condition has advanced.
Treatment for Rhinophyma
The good news about rhinophyma is that the treatment required is less rigorous than other aesthetic nasal problems, requiring no surgery. Improvement can be made to the appearance of the nose through laser resurfacing techniques, replacing older, more extreme methods of treatments, which included dermabrasion and excision of unwanted tissue. The laser procedure only takes about an hour to perform; however it involves a 10- to 14-day recovery period.
Finding a Surgeon
Rhinophyma treatment requires the help of a skilled, board certified facial plastic surgeon to get the desired results. While it is not always possible to eliminate the problem fully, an experienced surgeon will be able to produce marked improvement in most cases.
If you are seeking help for a bulbous nose in the Austin area, come to Buckingham Center and meet with acclaimed facial plastic surgeon Dr. Edward Buckingham to have your nose evaluated and to discuss the possibility of rhinophyma treatment. Dr. Buckingham is board certified and highly experienced, offering patients expert and compassionate care. Call 512-401-2500 today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Buckingham.