What is rhinophyma?
Rhinophyma is a condition that causes the nose to become enlarged and deformed, most commonly seen in men over 50. It is a subtype of rosacea, a chronic skin condition that affects the face. Rhinophyma is caused by the thickening of the skin on the nose, as well as an increase in the number and size of sebaceous glands. This can result in a bulbous, red, and bumpy nose. It is important to note that while rhinophyma is often associated with heavy alcohol consumption, the link is not well established.
Treatment for rhinophyma typically involves reducing the size of the nose through surgical procedures such as excision, skin resurfacing, or laser therapy. The goal of treatment is to improve the patient’s appearance and self-esteem and also to improve breathing by opening the nasal airway. In some cases, a combination of surgical and non-surgical treatments may be needed.
It’s important to note that rhinophyma is a rare condition, and it’s not common. It’s also important to consult with a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon to properly diagnose and treat it.
What causes rhinophyma?
The exact cause of rhinophyma is not well understood, but it is believed to be a complication of rosacea, a chronic skin condition that affects the face. Rosacea causes inflammation and redness on the face, especially on the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead. In some people, the condition can progress to rhinophyma, which is characterized by the thickening of the skin on the nose and an increase in the number and size of sebaceous glands.
There are some risk factors that have been associated with the development of rhinophyma, including:
- Age: It is most common in men over 50
- Gender: it is more common in men than in women
- Family history: people with a family history of rosacea or rhinophyma are more likely to develop the condition
- Ethnicity: it’s more common in people of Celtic or Scandinavian descent
- Exposure to UV rays and environmental factors like wind, sun, and cold temperatures.
It’s also important to note that some studies have reported that heavy alcohol consumption may be associated with rhinophyma, but the link is not well established.
It’s important to note that rhinophyma is a rare condition and it’s not common. It’s important to consult with a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon to properly diagnose and treat it.
Am I suitable for rhinophyma surgery?
Whether or not you are suitable for rhinophyma surgery depends on a number of factors, including the severity of your condition, your overall health, and your personal goals for the surgery. A consultation with a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist who specializes in rhinophyma treatment will help to determine if you are a good candidate for surgery.
During the consultation, the surgeon will assess the size and shape of your nose, as well as the thickness of the skin and the presence of any other medical conditions that may affect the outcome of the surgery. They will also discuss your goals for the surgery, and explain the different surgical options available, including the risks, benefits, and potential outcomes of each.
It’s important to have realistic expectations and understand that rhinophyma surgery may not completely eliminate the redness, bumpiness, and irregular shape of the nose, but it will improve the appearance of the nose and can also improve breathing by opening the nasal airway.
It’s important to note that surgery is not the only option for rhinophyma treatment, other non-surgical options such as topical or oral medications, or laser therapy may be used alone or in combination with surgery.
It’s important to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon or a dermatologist who specializes in rhinophyma treatment to properly evaluate your condition and recommend the best treatment option for you.
Rhinophyma surgical techniques
There are several surgical techniques that can be used to treat rhinophyma, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The choice of surgical technique will depend on the extent of the condition, the patient’s goals for the surgery, and the surgeon’s experience and expertise.
Some of the most common surgical techniques for rhinophyma include:
- Excision: This technique involves removing the excess tissue from the nose using a scalpel or a surgical laser. This can be done through an open or closed approach, depending on the extent of the condition. This method can be effective but can leave a scar and may require a skin graft.
- Dermaplaning: This technique involves using a surgical blade to shave off the excess tissue on the nose. This technique can be performed under local anaesthesia and is considered less invasive than other surgical methods.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser resurfacing: This technique uses a laser to remove the top layers of the skin on the nose, leaving behind a smoother and more even surface. This technique can also be used to improve the texture of the skin and reduce the redness associated with rhinophyma.
- Cryosurgery: This technique uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the excess tissue on the nose.
- Subcision: This technique involves using a needle to separate the fibrous bands that are pulling down the skin and creating a bumpy texture.
It’s important to note that these techniques can be used alone or in combination, and recovery time and results may vary depending on the technique used and individual case. A qualified plastic surgeon or a dermatologist who specializes in rhinophyma treatment will be able to recommend the best surgical technique for you after evaluating your condition and discussing your goals for the surgery.
Recovery after rhinophyma surgery
Recovery after rhinophyma surgery varies depending on the surgical technique used, but generally, it can take several weeks for the swelling and bruising to subside and for the final results to become visible.
After the surgery, your surgeon will place a dressing or splint on your nose to help shape and protect the area during the healing process. They will also provide you with instructions for caring for the surgical site, including how to clean and protect the area, and when to return for follow-up appointments.
You should expect some swelling and bruising around the nose, which can last for several weeks. Your surgeon may recommend medications to help manage pain and discomfort, and cold compresses can be used to help reduce swelling. The sutures will be removed after a week or two, and you will be able to resume normal activities after a week or two, but it is important to avoid strenuous activities or exposure to sunlight during the healing period.
It’s important to follow the postoperative instructions provided by your surgeon and to attend any follow-up appointments as scheduled. During the healing process, it is important to be patient and avoid comparing your recovery to others, as every person’s healing process is different.
It’s important to remember that the final results of the surgery may not be visible for several months and the nose may not be completely symmetrical, but the surgery will improve the appearance of the nose and can also improve breathing by opening the nasal airway.
Rhinophyma before and after
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Can I get rhinophyma surgery on the NHS?
The availability of rhinophyma surgery on the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK can vary depending on the specific NHS trust or region. Generally, non-surgical options like topical or oral medications or laser therapy are usually tried first before considering surgery.
In order to be considered for rhinophyma surgery on the NHS, you will need to be referred by a GP or a specialist and then be assessed by a specialist surgeon or a dermatologist. They will evaluate your condition, and if they determine that surgery is the best option, they will refer you to a plastic surgeon who can perform the procedure.
The availability of the surgery on the NHS may also depend on the funding and resources available in your area. Some NHS trusts may not offer surgery for rhinophyma or may have a long waiting list for the procedure. However, some patients may be able to get a referral for surgery on the NHS if they have a severe or debilitating case of rhinophyma or if other treatment options have failed.
It’s important to note that even if surgery is unavailable on the NHS, plastic surgery clinics such as Centre for Surgery perform rhinophyma surgery. Patients will need to fund the cost of the treatment themselves, although we offer a range of flexible finance options to help patients spread the cost of their monthly repayments.
Rhinophyma Surgery at Centre for Surgery
Centre for Surgery is a specialist plastic surgery clinic and is home to some of the leading specialists in rhinophyma surgery in the UK. We regularly treat both men and women with rhinophyma of all grades of severity using gold-standard surgical techniques.
Schedule a rhinophyma consultation by calling us on 020 7993 4849 or completing the contact form below.
FAQs
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What is rhinophyma?Rhinophyma is a chronic skin condition that mainly affects the nose. Over a period of time the skin of the nose gradually thickens and the sebaceous glands within the skin become larger. Although the skin may have a normal colour, there are often visible blood vessels that gives rise to the red appearance. In more advanced cases of rhinophyma the skin develops a pitted appearance and often develops a significant bulbous appearance. Severe cases of rhinophyma even result in functional disturbances with breathing. Rhinophyma is often linked with rosacea which is an inflammatory chronic skin condition of the face.
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What treatment is used for rhinophyma?The best treatment for rhinophyma is ablative laser treatment. Both erbium and CO2 laser are highly effective treatments for reducing and reshaping the size of the nose.
Older treatments include dermabrasion and scalpel excision combined with cautery. These treatments lack precision and have a higher risk of scarring compared with laser treatment. -
What does treatment for rhinophyma involve?Rhinophyma treatment is most commonly performed under local anaesthetic. Topical numbing cream is first applied to the nose. Your dermatologist will then use injections of a local anaesthetic to fully numb the news. Once the local anaesthetic has had time to work, the rhinophyma treatment is virtually painless. The dermatologist will then apply a CO2 laser or erbium laser to the skin of the nose. During treatment, patients are awake and fully comfortable. With a laser, the extra tissue on the nose will be removed layer by layer. The laser is applied with a number of different techniques depending on whether there are localised or generalised areas of skin excess.
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What happens after rhinophyma treatment?Following laser treatment for rhinophyma, the dermatologist will apply Aquaphor cream or alternatively paraffin jelly to the surface of the nose to act as a protective barrier. Paraffin jelly must be applied for a full two weeks after treatment at regular intervals. It is important to clean the nose with twice daily washing followed by reapplication of paraffin jelly. The skin of their nose will begin to regenerate and initially may appear red or pink in appearance. The colour will return to normal after approximately three months.
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How many rhinophyma treatments will I need?Rhinophyma treatment using laser usually only needs one treatment. For more complex or large rhinophyma cases, a second procedure may be required for any residual areas of overgrown tissue.