Tip Plasty for a Bulbous or Drooping Nasal Tip

A tip plasty is a rhinoplasty technique focused on reshaping the nasal tip to correct concerns like a bulbous, wide, or drooping tip while maintaining natural balance with the rest of your features. For some patients, the bridge of the nose looks fine; it’s the tip that draws unwanted attention.

What Is a Tip Plasty?

A tip plasty is a form of rhinoplasty that targets the lower third of the nose (the tip and, in some cases, the nostrils) rather than changing the bridge or overall length of the nose.

Depending on your anatomy and goals, a tip plasty may involve:

• Refining a bulbous or rounded tip
• Lifting or supporting a drooping tip that makes the face look long and heavy
• Improving tip symmetry from the front view
• Adjusting the projection (how far the tip sticks out) for better balance

In some patients, these changes can be performed as a mostly tip-focused procedure. In others, subtle adjustments to the bridge or underlying support structures are needed to achieve a cohesive, natural-looking result.

Why the Nasal Tip Requires Special Expertise

The nasal tip is one of the most technically challenging areas of the nose to operate on. It is made up of delicate cartilage frameworks covered by skin that can range from thin to thick, with each behaving differently during and after surgery.

Your surgeon must carefully consider:

• The shape and strength of your tip cartilages
• Your skin thickness, which affects how much refinement will be visible
• The relationship between the tip, bridge, and upper lip
• How changes to the tip will look from the front, profile, and three-quarter views

Because the tip is so visible and central to your facial expression, even small changes can have a big impact. That’s why tip-focused procedures are usually performed by plastic surgeons with significant experience in advanced rhinoplasty techniques, who can determine whether an open or closed rhinoplasty approach will give the best access for precise refinement.

How Tip Plasty Refines a Bulbous or Drooping Tip

A tip plasty can address two of the most common concerns: a bulbous tip and a drooping tip.

Bulbous Tip

For a bulbous tip, your surgeon may:

• Carefully reshape or reposition the tip cartilages
• Remove small amounts of excess cartilage when appropriate
• Use suturing techniques to create sharper definition without over-pinching

The goal is a more refined, proportional tip, not an overly narrow, “operated” look.

Drooping Tip

For a drooping tip, techniques may include:

• Supporting the tip with cartilage grafts or sutures so it no longer points downward
• Adjusting the angle between the nose and upper lip for a more uplifted, balanced profile
• Correcting any associated smile-related droop, where the tip pulls down more when you smile

In all cases, the aim is subtle refinement that preserves your unique appearance.

Is Tip-Only Surgery Simpler Than a Full Rhinoplasty?

A tip plasty may sound simpler because it focuses on a smaller area, but it is not always an “easy” version of rhinoplasty. In fact, tip work can be technically demanding, especially when:

• The cartilage framework is weak or asymmetric
• Skin is thick and less responsive to fine contouring
• Previous surgery has altered the normal anatomy

In straightforward cases where the bridge is already well balanced and the internal support is strong, a tip-focused procedure can be shorter and more limited than a full rhinoplasty. However, if the bridge, dorsum, or internal structures also need adjustment, our surgeons may recommend a more extensive approach for a stable, long-lasting result.

When a Tip Plasty May Not Be the Right Choice

A tip-only approach may not be appropriate if:

• The bridge is too high, too low, or markedly crooked
• You are also concerned about a significant nasal hump
• Structural support is weak and requires broader reconstruction
• You’ve had previous nasal surgery and now need a more extensive revision rhinoplasty

In these situations, trying to treat only the tip can lead to an unbalanced look, where the tip and bridge don’t match, or it can compromise your breathing and long-term support. Your surgeon will explain whether a focused tip plasty is realistic or whether a more global rhinoplasty plan will better serve your goals.

Planning Your Consultation

If your main concern is a bulbous or drooping nasal tip, a consultation is the best way to find out whether a tip plasty or a more comprehensive rhinoplasty is right for you. During your visit, your surgeon will:

• Examine your nasal tip structure and skin thickness
• Assess how the tip relates to your bridge and facial features
• Explain which rhinoplasty techniques are recommended in your case
• Discuss whether a tip-focused approach can deliver the balanced, natural-looking result you’re looking for

By choosing a team experienced in both tip-focused procedures and a range of rhinoplasty techniques, including male rhinoplasty and ethnic rhinoplasty, you can feel confident in your care. Our plastic surgeons will tailor a treatment plan to your anatomy, designed to deliver long-term, natural-looking refinement.

Get Started With Rhinoplasty

Learn whether you are a good candidate for tip plasty or rhinoplasty today. Request a consultation using the online form or call Ford Plastic Surgery at (416) 925-7337.