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Hello, I’m Dr. Cha-Young Kang, Director of Nose Lab Clinic.


Today, I’d like to share a case of customized rhinoplasty for cartilage visibility, specifically addressing a pointed nose tip and tip transparency concerns. This case demonstrates how a fully tailored approach can integrate patient preferences to achieve the most satisfying outcomes.


1. Patient Background and Requirements


Surgical History:

  • 2020: Ear cartilage and tip surgery + philtrum reduction

  • 2022: Ear cartilage and tip surgery + silicone implant + alar base reduction + philtrum reduction

  • 2023: Implant removal + donor rib cartilage + septal cartilage and extension

esign consultation photos before customized rhinoplasty for cartilage visibility – frontal, left side, and oblique views showing pointed nasal tip, visible tip cartilage, and slightly upturned nostrils.
Design Consultation: Frontal View, Left Side View, and Oblique Side View Photos.
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Patient’s Specific Requests:

  • Softening of the pointed nose tip

  • Resolution of cartilage visibility at the tip

  • Maintenance or slight increase in tip height (with a rounded shape)

  • Retain current dorsal height and shape

  • Retain the slightly upturned nostril appearance

Design consultation photos before customized rhinoplasty for cartilage visibility – right side, oblique side, and nostril views showing pointed nasal tip, visible tip cartilage, and asymmetry in nostril appearance.
Design Consultation: Right Side View, Oblique Side View, and Nostril View Photos
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Video Showing Protruding Nasal Tip Cartilage, Sunken Nasal Bridge, and Crooked Nose

2. Surgical Plan for Customized Rhinoplasty for Cartilage Visibility

  • Tip Reinforcement: Augmentation with donor rib cartilage

  • Skin Strengthening: Placement of artificial dermis at the tip to prevent cartilage show-through

  • Correction of Nasolabial Angle: Adjust for enhanced natural balance


3. Surgical Execution

Tip Reconstruction:

  • Removal of previous ear cartilage grafts

  • Broad coverage of the nose tip with donor rib cartilage for a softened contour

  • Placement of artificial dermis for additional skin thickness and prevention of cartilage show-through

Cartilage Reconstruction:

  • Rebuilding absent alar cartilage for structural support

  • Augmentation of a minor dorsal depression with donor rib cartilage


Post-Surgery Video Reflecting 100% of the Patient’s Requirements

4. Surgical Outcome

Post-surgery videos and photographs show results that fulfilled 100% of the patient’s requests:

  • Softer nasal tip contour

  • No cartilage visibility

  • Maintained dorsal height and shape

  • Slightly elevated, rounded tip preserved

Before (left) and immediately after (right) customized rhinoplasty for cartilage visibility – side profile showing softened nasal tip, elimination of cartilage show-through, and maintained dorsal height.
Before (Left) / Immediately After (Right)
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Before (left) and immediately after (right) customized rhinoplasty for cartilage visibility – oblique view showing softened pointed tip, corrected cartilage show-through, and improved nasal balance
Before (Left) / Immediately After (Right)
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Before customized rhinoplasty for cartilage visibility – frontal view showing pointed nasal tip and cartilage protrusion at the tip (highlighted with arrow on right)
Before (Left) Frontal Photo, Before (Right) Nasal Tip Cartilage Protrusion (Arrow)
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Immediately after customized rhinoplasty for cartilage visibility – frontal view showing diagram of donated rib cartilage graft (left) and actual surgical result (right) with improved tip contour and no cartilage show-through.
Immediately After (Left) Diagram of Donated Rib Cartilage Graft, Immediately After (Right)
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Before (left) and immediately after (right) customized rhinoplasty for cartilage visibility – nostril view showing corrected cartilage protrusion, improved nostril symmetry, and natural contour
Before (Left) / Immediately After (Right)
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5. Key Aspects of the Customized Plan

  • Preservation of Dorsal Shape for a familiar profile

  • Upturned Tip Appearance maintained as requested

  • Use of Donor Rib Cartilage instead of autologous tissue, respecting patient’s preference

  • Slight Tip Height Increase for refined definition


6. Conclusion

Immediately after customized rhinoplasty for cartilage visibility – frontal, side, and oblique views showing softened pointed tip, no cartilage show-through, and maintained natural nasal contour.
Immediately After Surgery: Frontal, Side, and Oblique Side Photos
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Immediately after customized rhinoplasty for cartilage visibility – nostril view showing corrected cartilage protrusion, improved nostril symmetry, and thicker tip skin for natural coverage.
Immediately After Surgery: Nostril Photos
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At Nose Lab Clinic, we are dedicated to offering customized rhinoplasty for cartilage visibility, respecting each patient’s unique vision while ensuring safety and precision.This case showcases how tailored surgical planning leads to natural, personalized, and stable outcomes.


Thank you for reading.

This is Dr. Cha-Young Kang at Nose Lab Clinic.


Nose Lab performs all surgeries using a closed (endonasal) approach.

Postoperative precautions and possible complications after rhinoplasty – includes information on infection, bleeding, asymmetry, allergic reactions, and scarring.
Case photograph 10
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