TYPE 05 — Bulbous Nose
Bulbous Nose Rhinoplasty
How is a bulbous nose corrected?
Surgery that addresses what makes the tip blunt — splayed cartilage and thick skin — to give the tip definition.
Who this is for
- A tip so round and wide that the whole nose looks big
- Thick skin that hides the tip's outline
- A decent bridge with a tip that makes the nose look dull
A note from Dr. Kim Hyung-taek
This is the most common type among East Asian and Korean patients.
Skin thickness has an enormous influence on bulbous-nose results.
We bring the splayed tip cartilages together and improve the tip shape with a tip cartilage graft. If the skin is very thick with a lot of soft tissue, soft-tissue removal may be combined.
That said, many bulbous-nose patients also feel their alae look wide, so most want alar reduction too. But projecting the tip draws the alae inward, so it often turns out unnecessary.
I recommend alar reduction only when it is truly needed.
— Kim Hyung-taek
How the surgery works
STEP 01
Bring the splayed tip cartilages together and tidy them
STEP 02
Tip cartilage graft (septal, ear or rib) supports the tip and creates definition
STEP 03
Remove thick soft tissue if needed
STEP 04
Alar reduction only if alar flare remains
Recovery
Recovery varies slightly depending on the scope of surgery and combined techniques. Below is the typical course.
- Day 5
Stitch removal
Day 7 if alar reduction or rib cartilage was combined.
- 2–3 weeks
Major swelling
A bulbous nose swells longer than other types — major swelling subsides over 2–3 weeks.
- 6–12 months
Tip definition
The tip contour gradually sharpens over 6 months to a year.
- 2 months
No touching or pressing tip
Avoid touching or pressing the tip for 2 months.
Featured surgery cases
See real surgical records for this type in the surgery log.
Before & after by type
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Before & after photos are available after login
BeforeAfterRevision rhinoplasty · Bulbous tip 
BeforeAfterRevision rhinoplasty · Bulbous tip 
BeforeAfterRevision rhinoplasty · Bulbous tip 
BeforeAfterRevision rhinoplasty · Bulbous tip 
BeforeAfterRevision rhinoplasty · Bulbous tip 
BeforeAfterRevision rhinoplasty · Bulbous tip
Outcomes and side effects vary from person to person. Bleeding, infection, swelling and asymmetry may occur. Please consult our medical team before making a decision.
Frequently asked questions
Yes — but the right expectation is that the bluntness resolves and definition appears, rather than a razor-sharp tip.
Only if the alae still look wide once the tip is projected. We do not bundle it in from the start.
The thicker the skin, the longer it takes. Major swelling resolves in 2–3 weeks; tip definition refines over 6 months to a year, and we manage residual swelling with laser at your visits.
Consultation
Bulbous Nose Rhinoplasty
Dr. Kim Hyung-taek takes personal responsibility from diagnosis through surgery and aftercare.
Book a 1:1 consultationOutcomes and side effects vary from person to person. Bleeding, infection, swelling and asymmetry may occur. Please consult our medical team before making a decision.