Having strong nasal cartilage is important for maintaining the shape and structure of your nose. As we age, cartilage can weaken, making the nose appear larger, droopier, or bumpier. Fortunately, there are several ways to help strengthen your nose cartilage to achieve an improved appearance.
What causes weakening of the nose cartilage?
The cartilage in your nose is made up of specialized connective tissues that provide structural support. Over time, factors like aging, sun exposure, smoking, or injury can cause the cartilage to weaken or deteriorate:
- Aging: As we get older, the cartilage in the nose loses elasticity and moisture. This causes it to become thinner and weaker over time.
- Sun exposure: UV radiation from the sun can damage and degrade nasal cartilage.
- Smoking: Chemicals in cigarette smoke are thought to increase breakdown of cartilage.
- Injury: Trauma to the nose from an accident, surgery, or blow can damage the cartilage framework.
- Genetics: Some people have naturally thinner nasal cartilage that is more susceptible to collapsing or drooping early in life.
When the cartilage weakens, the nasal tissues are less able to hold their shape. This allows structures like the nasal tip to drop down or the sides of the nose to collapse inward.
How do I know if I have weak cartilage in my nose?
Signs that you may have weak nasal cartilage include:
- A nose that appears wider, larger, or droopier
- A bump or depression appearing on the nasal bridge
- Increased narrowing or pinching of the nostrils
- Collapse of the nostrils when inhaling
- A nasal tip that feels soft and lacking structure
- Frequent redness or irritation in the nasal area
Your doctor can examine the inside of your nose and feel the firmness of the structures to determine if you have cartilage weakness. They may recommend imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs to evaluate the cartilage condition in more detail.
How can I strengthen my nasal cartilage?
There are several non-surgical and surgical options that can help strengthen the cartilage in your nose:
Non-surgical options
- Nasal strips and dilators: Adhesive strips or silicone dilators can be worn inside the nose to provide structural support and prevent collapse of weak cartilage.
- Nasal exercises: Daily exercises like raising the nostrils or flaring the nostrils can strengthen nasal muscles around the cartilage.
- Moisturizers and emollients: Products containing hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin can improve moisture and elasticity in nasal cartilage.
- Nutritional supplements: Supplements containing compounds like collagen, vitamin C, silica, or glucosamine may support cartilage health and integrity.
- Avoid irritants: Preventing damage from smoking, allergens, or frequent nose blowing.
While these conservative options may provide mild improvement, they are limited in their ability to reshape cartilage or build long-lasting structural support.
Surgical options
For more substantial strengthening of weak nasal cartilage, plastic surgery procedures are available. These are invasive options that physically alter the cartilage framework of the nose:
- Cartilage grafting: Cartilage from another area like the ear or rib is harvested and precisely placed in the nose to reinforce weak areas.
- Spreader grafts:Pieces of cartilage implanted to recreate the nasal valve angles and prevent nostril collapse.
- Strut grafts: Thin strips placed vertically along the bridge to prevent drooping of the nasal tip.
- Onlay grafts: Thicker cartilage pieces layered on top of existing structures to build up projection.
- Rhinoplasty: Complex reshaping of the entire nose including weak cartilage areas.
Skilled plastic surgeons can choose the right grafting or rhinoplasty techniques to strengthen specific areas of concern and achieve better nose contours.
What results can I expect with nasal cartilage strengthening?
When successful, cartilage strengthening in the nose can provide:
- Improved nose symmetry and proportions
- Correction of bumps, indentations, or pinched nostrils
- Better structural support and resistance to collapsing
- A straightened, smoothed nasal bridge
- Elevation of a drooping nasal tip
- A more defined and refined nasal tip
- A narrower, smaller looking nose
- Restored confidence in your facial appearance
Keep in mind that overly thin skin will still make strengthened cartilage visible underneath, so underlying nasal anatomy can limit final results. Discuss realistic expectations with your surgeon.
How long do results last?
With surgical cartilage grafting or rhinoplasty, the implanted cartilage essentially becomes a permanent part of your nose structure. As long as this material remains strong and intact, it can provide long-lasting support against further collapse or drooping.
However, your natural nasal cartilage will continue its aging process. You may eventually need additional strengthening down the road to maintain results, especially if you had significant cartilage weakness initially.
Non-surgical options like nasal strips or moisturizers provide only temporary, minor improvements that quickly revert when you stop using them.
Am I a good candidate?
The best candidates for nasal cartilage strengthening are men and women who:
- Want to correct sagging of the nasal tip, bridge, or nostrils
- Have noticed increasing nose size, irregularities, or asymmetry
- Do not smoke or have other conditions that weaken cartilage
- Have realistic expectations for improvement, not perfection
- Are in overall good health to undergo surgery if needed
Talk with your doctor about whether your particular nasal anatomy and cartilage condition can benefit from strengthening techniques.
How is the procedure performed?
The steps involved in surgical nasal cartilage strengthening include:
- Anesthesia: General anesthesia puts you completely asleep. Local anesthesia with sedation keeps you awake but comfortable.
- Incisions: Small incisions are made inside the nostrils.
- Graft harvesting: If using your own cartilage, the surgeon removes cartilage from a donor site like the septum, ear, or rib.
- Cartilage placement: Grafts or implants are strategically placed to add support.
- Incision closure: Dissolvable sutures close the nostril incisions.
- Casting: External splints or casts may protect the nose while initial healing occurs.
Skill and experience are vital for the surgeon to correctly shape the grafts and place them in ways that achieve the desired structural improvements.
How long is the recovery?
It can take several weeks to see the full results after surgery. The initial recovery typically involves:
- First 48 hours: Rest with head elevated, use cold compresses to reduce swelling
- First week: Bruising, swelling, and minor bleeding subsides. Pain is mild.
- Two weeks: Splints come off, swelling continues improving.
- One to two months: Nose settles into final shape as residual swelling resolves.
- Six months: Maturation of nasal tissues complete, final result visible.
Strenuous activity and sun exposure should be avoided for at least one month. Complete healing can take up to a year.
What are the possible risks or complications?
Potential risks with nasal cartilage grafting include:
- Infection of the nasal tissues
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Bleeding during or after surgery
- Blood clot or fluid buildup under the skin
- Damage to the nasal septum
- Lack of improvement in cartilage strength
- Warping or displacement of grafted cartilage
- Permanent nasal asymmetry or irregularities
- Need for revision surgery
Select an experienced surgeon and follow all pre- and post-operative instructions to minimize risks.
How much does it cost?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost for nasal cartilage grafting or rhinoplasty procedures in 2022 was:
| Procedure | National Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Rhinoplasty | $6,050 |
| Revision Rhinoplasty | $11,000 |
| Nasal Cartilage Grafting | $2,950 |
Prices can be higher in areas like New York or Los Angeles and lower in less populated regions. Factor in surgical fees, anesthesia, facility costs, medications, and follow-up visits.
Health insurance does not cover cosmetic nasal surgery. But procedures to improve nasal breathing may be covered if deemed medically necessary.
Conclusion
Strengthening weak nasal cartilage through grafting or rhinoplasty techniques can restore lost structure, improve nasal aesthetics, and prevent progressive collapse. Work with an experienced plastic surgeon to determine the options that best fit your anatomy and goals for a revitalized, confident appearance.