Key takeaways
- A bulbous nose looks round because of a combination of spread cartilage, thick skin, and lack of support
- Tip plasty "alone" — simply bringing the tip cartilages together — rarely solves it
- We combine strut + tip plasty + cartilage grafting with the closed technique, rebuilding from the foundation
- Approximate cost: strut ¥580,000〜 (includes tip plasty and cartilage grafting / tax included, elective treatment)
What is a bulbous nose? The 3 causes of a rounded look
A bulbous nose does not have a single cause — the following three combine to make the tip look round and large. That is exactly why a single procedure rarely solves it.
The 3 causes of a bulbous nose
- Spread of the tip cartilages: when the cartilages that shape the tip (alar cartilages) spread sideways, the tip looks round
- Thick skin and soft tissue: with thick skin or fat at the tip, roundness tends to remain even after the internal framework is refined
- Insufficient tip height and support: when the foundation is weak and height is lacking, the roundness is emphasized by comparison
Why tip plasty "alone" rarely solves it
A bulbous nose is often presented as something "fixed by tip plasty," but tip plasty on its own — bringing the tip cartilages together — may not change things as much as you hope.
- With thick skin and soft tissue, surface roundness tends to remain even after the framework is refined
- Without a foundation supporting the tip, the nose can appear to drift back toward its original roundness over time
- Without adding height and direction, the heavy look from the front is hard to eliminate
Our bulbous nose correction (closed technique)
For bulbous noses, we combine "strut + tip plasty + cartilage grafting" with the closed technique, rebuilding the tip's height, definition, and support from the foundation up.
The procedures we combine
- Strut (foundation): builds a pillar that supports the tip from inside, adding height and stability
- Tip plasty: brings the spread tip cartilages together for a slimmer, refined tip
- Cartilage grafting: adds height and direction to the tip, making frontal roundness less noticeable
- Closed technique: incisions only inside the nostrils — the external skin is not cut, so scars are hard to see
The best combination depends on skin thickness, bone structure, and your wishes. We can shape conservatively or add substantial height — the design is decided together with you at counseling.
Case (front, oblique, side)
We show the case from three angles — front, oblique, and side — because the nose is three-dimensional and its impression changes with the angle. Use the tabs to switch angles.
Case | Bulbous nose (rounded tip) / closed technique: tip plasty + cartilage grafting + strut
- Procedure
- Tip plasty + cartilage grafting + strut with the closed technique (bulbous nose correction)
- Fee
- ¥580,000〜 (varies with the plan)
- Main risks / side effects
- Swelling, bruising, asymmetry, infection, individual variation in results, etc.
- Downtime
- About 1–2 weeks (photos taken 3 months after surgery)
* Front, oblique, and side views shown. Patient in their teens (published with guardian consent; eye area edited for privacy). Results vary by individual, and risks/side effects apply. Elective treatment (not covered by insurance).
Watch the reel on Instagram →
Cost
Bulbous nose correction: "strut" ¥580,000〜 (tax included). This plan includes all three procedures — strut, tip plasty, and cartilage grafting (a set fee shared by the closed and open techniques).
Options are added only when other areas, such as alar reduction, are treated at the same time. Anesthesia, preoperative tests, and medication are billed separately. See the fee plan explanation for details.
More about fees (additional costs / monitor program)
Downtime
Swelling and bruising settle within about 1–2 weeks, with cast fixation for about 7 days as a guide (recovery varies by individual).
We recommend scheduling surgery so it is finished 1–2 months before any major event. For details, see the complete downtime guide.
Risks and side effects
Rhinoplasty is a medical procedure and carries the following possible risks and side effects. Please be sure to review them.
Main risks / side effects
- Swelling, bruising, pain, puffiness (usually improving over time)
- Asymmetry; results differing from the desired image
- Infection; wounds and tightness inside the nostrils; numbness or sensory changes
- With thick skin, change may be less noticeable
Frequently asked questions
Can a bulbous nose be fixed with tip plasty alone?
In most cases, tip plasty alone does not fully resolve it. We combine a strut, tip plasty, and cartilage grafting, rebuilding the tip's height, definition, and support from the foundation. Suitability depends on the state of your nose and is determined at counseling.
Can my tip become slimmer even with thick skin?
With thick skin or soft tissue, change can be harder to perceive — but giving the tip height and direction can make frontal roundness less noticeable. We will tell you honestly at consultation how much change is achievable.
Will there be scars?
We use the closed technique, with incisions only inside the nostrils. Because the external skin is not cut, scars are hard to see from the outside.
How long is the downtime?
Swelling and bruising usually settle within about 1–2 weeks, and cast fixation lasts about 7 days. Recovery varies by individual.
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Want to correct a bulbous nose in Fukuoka?
The impression of a rounded tip changes dramatically with the right diagnosis and design. A doctor will examine you and propose the combination best suited to your nose.
* This article is intended to provide general medical information and does not guarantee results. The suitability, costs, and risks of treatment are determined individually at consultation. Results vary by individual. Rhinoplasty is an elective treatment not covered by insurance.