Thin Skin on Nose, How to Have Rhinoplasty Without Implant Extrusion

With thin skin on the nose, for rhinoplasty to change the shape and make the tip project more, medical technology and the surgeon’s experience are used to assess whether rhinoplasty is possible and to choose the tip material, such as tissue grafts or a silicone implant, so that the tip projects without stretching the tip tissue so much that the implant pushes through the skin.

Thin skin on the nose, or little soft tissue over the bridge and tip

Risks of Tip Extrusion

1. Choosing an Unsuitable Silicone Implant

• a silicone implant that is too large and out of balance with the nasal structure and the amount of soft tissue, which puts too much pressure on the tissue and raises the risk
• an unsuitable shape, such as a tip that is too pointed, or an implant that is too stiff to move with the nose, which causes friction and pressure on the tissue and can also lead to extrusion

2. Unsuitable Rhinoplasty Technique

• placing the silicone implant too shallow under the skin, where there is not enough tissue to cover it
• carving the silicone so that it still has edges or corners, which cut into or press on the tissue inside

Unsuitable Aftercare After Rhinoplasty

• knocks to the nose during recovery before it has settled, from touching it, hard exercise or strong pressure inside the nose
• wearing heavy glasses, which press on the nose while it heals
• a history of frequent revision rhinoplasty, which makes the skin on the nose thinner and causes a lot of scar tissue, also raising the risk of implant extrusion. Infection in the nose can also make the tissue inflamed and swollen

How to Prevent Implant Extrusion When You Have Thin Skin on the Nose

Every rhinoplasty or revision rhinoplasty is highly complex. If the surgeon does not have enough experience, the assessment may be wrong, which also creates risk.

Rhinoplasty Reviews at S45 Clinic

S45 Clinic assesses the nasal skin in detail and chooses suitable techniques and materials for flexibility, to lower the risk of tip extrusion in people with little soft tissue on the nose

Open Rhinoplasty

Open rhinoplasty lets the surgeon see the internal structure of the nose clearly, so corrections can be precise and the shape can be refined in detail. However, the surgeon will assess each technique and choose what suits each case.

Tip Grafting

The surgeon may consider a tip graft, such as ear cartilage or septal cartilage, to add thickness and strength to the tissue at the tip and lower the risk of extrusion.

Follow Your Surgeon’s Advice Closely

1. Use cold compresses to reduce swelling after surgery.
2. Do not touch, pick or scratch the nose, and avoid activities with a risk of knocks to the nose.
3. Sleep with your head raised on pillows to reduce swelling.
4. Go to all your follow-up appointments.

Do not leave implant extrusion untreated. See a doctor as soon as possible for correction and advice, which differs from case to case depending on how severe it is and the condition of the tissue. The doctor may advise removing the silicone implant to reduce the severity of infection, and/or corrective surgery after the wound has healed (3 to 6 months), depending on each person’s health.

Note: Revision rhinoplasty, which many people know as “nose reshaping”, is surgery for people who have had nose surgery before and need a further assessment by a surgeon. The approach to care depends on the original concern, the nasal structure and the surgeon’s judgement in each case.