Home / Treatments / Plastic Surgery / Alar Reduction (Nostril Narrowing)

Surgery · 콧볼축소

Alar Reduction (Nostril and Nasal Wing Narrowing)

A short procedure that narrows wide or flaring nostrils by removing a small wedge of skin at the base of the nose.

Quick facts
  • Korean name: 콧볼축소
  • Procedure time: 30 to 60 minutes
  • Anesthesia: Local anesthesia, optional sedation
  • Sessions: 1
  • Downtime: 5 to 7 days
  • Results: Visible at stitch removal; scar fades over 3 to 6 months
  • Lasts: Permanent
  • Typical price: ₩1,000,000–₩2,000,000 (per surgery, both sides)

What is Alar Reduction (Nostril Narrowing)?

Alar reduction (콧볼축소) narrows the base of the nose. It is done alone or as part of rhinoplasty, since raising the tip can make wide nostrils look more noticeable.

Done under local anesthetic, it is one of the shorter nose procedures. The scar lies in the groove where the nostril meets the cheek.

How it works

Depending on the shape, the surgeon removes a wedge from the inside of the nostril (to reduce the opening), from the outer crease (to reduce flare), or both. Some clinics add an internal cinching suture that pulls the bases closer together without much skin removal.

Who it suits

  • Wide nasal base
  • Nostrils that flare when smiling
  • Patients having rhinoplasty with a wide base

Who should skip it or wait

  • A wide nose caused mainly by broad nasal bones
  • Patients who form thick scars
  • Anyone with nasal obstruction from narrow nostrils

Side effects and risks

  • Visible scar in the alar crease
  • Asymmetric nostrils
  • Over-narrowing that looks pinched or restricts airflow
  • Notching at the nostril rim

Aftercare

  • Clean the stitches with saline and ointment twice a day
  • Avoid stretching the lip (big yawns, wide smiles) for a week
  • Scar gel and sunscreen for 3 months

Planning around your trip

Stay 6 to 7 days so stitches can come out on day 5 to 7; flying the next day is fine.

Plastic Surgery clinics near Apgujeong

Last reviewed October 2026. General information only, not medical advice. A doctor confirms what suits you at consultation.

Alar Reduction (Nostril Narrowing) price in Apgujeong

₩1,000,000–₩2,000,000
per surgery, both sides

Typical range at clinics around Apgujeong, Sinsa and Cheongdam, checked 2026-10. Source: Korea Experience, Korea Plastic Surgery Cost Guide 2026. Cosmetic treatments in Korea carry 10% VAT; ask whether a quote includes it.

Alar Reduction (Nostril Narrowing) questions

Will the scar be visible?

It sits in the natural crease and is usually faint after 3 to 6 months. In darker skin, pigment can take longer to fade.

How much narrower will my nose get?

Usually a few millimetres on each side. Removing too much makes the nostrils look pinched or uneven.

Can it be done the same day as rhinoplasty?

Yes, and it is often planned at the end of the operation once the new tip height is set.

Can I smile normally afterwards?

Smiling pulls on the stitches, so most people keep expressions small for the first week.

Is a cinch suture alone enough?

For mild flare it can be. If the nostril skin itself is wide, skin removal gives a more lasting change.

Can fillers or threads narrow the nostrils instead?

No reliable non-surgical option narrows the nasal base. Filler in the tip can make wide nostrils look proportionally smaller but adds volume.

Plan your visit

Get a quote before you fly

Send the treatment, your dates and any past procedures. We reply in English with options, prices and clinic locations near Apgujeong Station.