Rhinoplastyin Gangnam, Seoul
Rhinoplasty reshapes the nose to balance it with the face — refining the tip, lowering a hump, straightening a deviated nose, narrowing a bulbous tip or reducing wide alae. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, many cases use a closed approach with incisions inside the nostrils, and cartilage from the septum, ear or rib (donor or autologous) may be used for support or augmentation. It is performed under sedation or general anesthesia depending on the scope, and revision is assessed individually. (Results vary by individual.)
Who it’s for
- A low or undefined tip, or a bulbous tip you would like refined
- A dorsal hump, a deviated nose, or wide nostrils (alae)
- A wish to balance nasal height or shape with the rest of the face
- Those considering revision of a previous rhinoplasty (assessed individually)
Whether a closed or open approach, and which cartilage source, suits you is decided after a nasal assessment; revision cases are evaluated individually.
How it works
The nose is a framework of bone and cartilage under the skin, and rhinoplasty reshapes that framework. In a closed approach the incisions are made inside the nostrils, leaving no external scar, which suits many tip and dorsal refinements; an open approach with a small columellar incision may be chosen for complex or revision cases for wider access. Depending on the goal, the surgeon refines the tip cartilages (tip plasty), lowers a dorsal hump, straightens a deviated framework, narrows a bulbous tip or reduces wide alae. Cartilage from the septum, ear, or rib — autologous (your own) or donor — may be used for support or augmentation. Revision cases are planned individually according to the previous surgery.
THE MECHANISM, STEP BY STEP
01Reshaping a bone-and-cartilage framework
The nose is a framework of bone and cartilage under the skin; rhinoplasty reshapes that framework — refining the tip, lowering a hump, straightening a deviation or narrowing wide alae.
02Closed or open approach
A closed approach uses incisions inside the nostrils with no external scar and suits many tip and dorsal refinements; an open approach adds a small columellar incision for wider access in complex or revision cases.
03Cartilage grafts for support
Cartilage from the septum, ear or rib — autologous (your own) or donor — may be used for support or augmentation, depending on the goal.
04Anesthesia by scope; revision individual
It is performed under sedation or general anesthesia depending on the scope, while a smaller step such as alar reduction may use local anesthesia; revision is planned individually.
Treatment areas
- Nasal tip (tip plasty / bulbous)
- Refines a low, undefined or bulbous tip by reshaping the tip cartilages.
- Dorsal hump
- Lowers a hump for a smoother bridge line.
- Deviated nose
- Straightens a crooked or deviated nasal framework.
- Alar reduction
- Narrows wide nostrils (alae) for balance.
- Cartilage grafting & revision
- Septal, ear or rib cartilage (autologous or donor) for support; revision is assessed individually.
What the procedure is like
- 1Consultation, nasal assessment and planning of the approach and grafts
- 2Sedation or general anesthesia depending on the scope
- 3Incisions inside the nostrils (closed) or a small columellar incision (open) as planned
- 4Reshaping of the framework — tip, dorsum, deviation or alae — with cartilage grafts as needed
- 5Closure, a splint and internal support, and recovery and aftercare guidance
Time: Surgery takes about 1–3 hours depending on the scope; rib-cartilage or revision cases take longer.
Recovery & aftercare
- Performed under sedation or general anesthesia; a period of monitoring may be needed before you go home.
- An external splint is usually worn for about 5–7 days, with internal support as needed; sutures are removed at about 5–7 days, while incisions inside the nostrils heal internally.
- Expect swelling and bruising around the nose and eyes that eases over about 1–2 weeks, with many returning to activities in around 7–10 days; the tip refines gradually over many months.
- Side effects such as swelling, bruising, congestion, asymmetry, or changes in sensation may occur and are explained at consultation.
What to expect over time
A general guide to how the days and months after treatment usually unfold. Results vary by individual.
DAY 0 Surgery day
Performed under sedation or general anesthesia; a splint is applied and a period of monitoring may be needed before you go home.
DAY 1-3 Swelling & bruising
Swelling and bruising around the nose and eyes, and nasal congestion, are usually most noticeable now; head elevation helps.
DAY 5-7 Splint & suture removal
The external splint usually comes off at about 5–7 days and sutures are removed around the same time; incisions inside the nostrils heal internally.
WEEK 1-2 Settling
Bruising and much of the swelling ease over one to two weeks, and many people return to activities in around 7–10 days.
12 MONTHS+ Tip refines
The fine shape of the tip continues to refine gradually over roughly 12 months or more, especially with thicker skin. (Results vary by individual.)
Sessions & results
This is a single surgery. The splint comes off in about a week and most swelling settles over weeks, while the fine shape of the tip can continue to refine over roughly 12 months or more. Revision, if ever considered, is planned individually. (Results vary by individual.)
How it compares
These options differ in scope — from a comprehensive surgical reshaping to a focused step or a temporary non-surgical touch-up — so the right one depends on your goal. This is not a ranking.
| Comparison | Rhinoplasty | Nose Filler | Alar reduction only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | Reshapes the bone/cartilage framework; closed or open | Injectable smooths or augments; non-surgical | Surgically narrows wide nostrils only |
| Best for | Tip, hump, deviation, height or alae | Minor contour smoothing or camouflage | Wide alae (nostrils) alone |
| Anesthesia | Sedation or general | Topical or local | Local |
| Recovery | Splint ~5–7 days; ~1–2 weeks | Little downtime | Local recovery; sutures ~5–7 days |
| Longevity | Long-lasting; tip refines over months | Temporary — months | Long-lasting |
Neither is “better” — they work differently and suit different goals. The right choice is decided after we assess your skin.
Safety & considerations
Possible reactions
- Swelling and bruising around the nose and eyes
- Nasal congestion and temporary numbness or altered sensation of the tip
- Asymmetry, or prolonged swelling of the tip especially with thicker skin
- Scarring — a small columellar mark with an open approach; none external with a closed approach
- Uncommonly, infection, graft-related issues or changes in nasal breathing
When to take extra care
- Bleeding disorders or blood-thinning medication — tell your doctor
- Smoking, which can affect healing and graft survival
- Existing breathing problems or previous nasal surgery
- Realistic expectations, and the greater complexity of revision cases
- Skin thickness, which affects how refined the tip can look, and fitness for anesthesia
The approach, cartilage source and whether you are a candidate — including revision — are confirmed at consultation. Effects and downtime vary by individual, and side effects may occur.
Your care at QD Clinic
Performed by a board-certified surgeon
Your surgery is performed and medically reviewed by a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Individualized surgical planning
The approach — closed or open — the cartilage source and what to refine (tip, hump, deviation or alae) is planned around your nose; revision is assessed individually.
Care in your language
Consultation in English, with 中文 and 日本語 support arranged on request — including questions before you travel.
A short walk from Gangnam Station
Central Seoul location with guidance from the airport and nearby hotels, and hours shown in KST.
Pricing
Pricing depends on the approach, the cartilage used and whether it is a revision. Please consult us for a personalized quote.
Frequently asked questions
Closed rhinoplasty uses incisions inside the nostrils with no external scar and suits many tip and dorsal refinements, while an open approach uses a small columellar incision for wider access in complex or revision cases. The approach is decided at consultation.
Cartilage from your own septum or ear, or rib cartilage (autologous or donor), may be used for support or height, depending on the plan discussed at consultation.
Depending on the scope, rhinoplasty is performed under sedation or general anesthesia; smaller procedures such as alar reduction may use local anesthesia. This is decided at consultation.
The splint usually comes off in about 5–7 days, swelling and bruising around the nose and eyes ease over about 1–2 weeks, and the tip refines over many months. (Results vary by individual.)
With a closed approach the incisions are inside the nostrils, so there is no external scar; an open approach leaves a small columellar mark intended to be discreet as it heals.
Revision is assessed individually according to the previous surgery and the current structure, and is often more complex than a first-time procedure. Suitability is decided at consultation.
Yes. Our doctors consult in English directly, and 中文 / 日本語 can be arranged in advance. Tell us your language on WhatsApp before your visit.
Often considered together
Treatments that are sometimes planned alongside this one, decided at consultation.
+Double Eyelid Surgery
Eye and nose procedures are sometimes planned together for overall facial balance; suitability and timing are decided at consultation.
+Fat Grafting
Adding volume to adjacent areas such as the forehead or chin can support profile harmony alongside nasal reshaping.
+Chin & profile balancing
Because the nose is read against the chin in profile, chin balancing may be discussed to plan the two together, decided at consultation.
For international patients
Consultation in English / 中文 / 日本語 · WhatsApp · WeChat · KakaoTalk · a 4-minute walk from Sinnonhyeon / Nonhyeon Station (hours in KST) · card payment.
For International PatientsMedically reviewed by Dr. Sahyeok Hong, board-certified plastic surgeon and Director of QD Clinic.