What is rhinophyma?

Rhinophyma is a skin disorder that causes the nose to become enlarged and bulbous. The nose may look red, swollen, and distorted.

The condition is a subtype of rosacea, an inflammatory skin disease. Some people with rhinophyma may also experience symptoms of other rosacea subtypes.

Other subtypes of rosacea cause redness and small, pus-filled bumps on the face, commonly on the cheeks, chin, and nose.

Causes of Rhinophyma

The exact cause of rhinophyma is unknown. In the past, some people believed that alcohol consumption could lead to the condition.

There is no proven link between rhinophyma and alcohol, but alcohol and caffeine can both temporarily dilate blood vessels, and this seems to make rhinophyma worse.

Other risk factors for rosacea and rhinophyma include:

• having fair skin
• being male
• being middle-aged
• having a family history of rosacea

Rhinophyma Symptoms

The primary symptom of rhinophyma is a change in the color and shape of the nose. Over time, the tip of the nose may turn a deep red. It can also grow in odd directions and appear misshapen or bulbous.

Many people experience other symptoms, including:

• lumps on the nose due to the growth of extra connective tissue
• red or purplish discolouration
• enlarged pores
• thickened skin
• scarring or pitting
• dry or oily skin

Diagnosis

Rhinophyma typically begins following a rosacea diagnosis.

When rosacea is in its early stages, people often confuse it with conditions such as acne or eczema. It is easier to diagnose rosacea as the condition progresses.

The characteristic appearance of rhinophyma often makes it easy to diagnose with just a visual examination.

Treatments for Rhinophyma

There are a few different treatments for rhinophyma, depending on the progression of the symptoms.

Doctors typically treat rosacea with antibiotics and retinoids, but rhinophyma may not respond to the same treatments as other subtypes of rosacea.

Surgery

Surgery is often the best option for long-term rhinophyma treatment. As the tissues and blood vessels in the area keep growing, it is crucial to perform surgery as early as possible to prevent permanent disfigurement.

A person's choice of surgical treatment can also vary according to the results they want to achieve, which may involve:

• removing growths or excess layers of skin
• reshaping a disfigured nose
• reducing the appearance of tiny, superficial blood vessels in the area
• improving the overall look of the skin

Facelift: What you need to know

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a procedure in cosmetic surgery that aims to give a more youthful appearance to the face.
It reshapes the lower half of the face by removing excess facial skin.

Rhytidectomy can tighten loose, hanging skin around the jawline, also known as "jowls." It can also remove deep creases around the mouth and nose, and excess, hanging skin and fat under the chin and in the neck.

What is a facelift?

Facelift surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure. It may involve a local anesthetics and sedatives or general anesthesia.

The procedure can take from 2 to 5 hours, and the person can normally go home on the same day after surgery.

A small incision, or cut, may be made under the chin to tighten the skin and deeper tissue of the neck. This is known as a neck lift.

What to expect

Before surgery, the facial plastic surgeon will review the patient's medical history.

They will look at:

• blood pressure
• blood clotting
• medications
• cigarette smoking
• drug use

The doctor and patient will discuss what the surgery will involve, where it will take place, the type of anesthesia used, the recovery, and potential complications that may develop.

They should also examine the goals and expectations of the surgery, according to the skin type and bone structure.

New surgical techniques

New methods are continually being developed to improve cosmetic procedures. Many of these procedures claim to make recovery faster and easier, but they are often modifications of a traditional facelift.

Lasers are sometimes used for a neck-lift procedure called laser neck and jaw liposculpture and resurfacing.

The work is often carried out under a local anesthetic, through a one-inch incision under the chin. The laser is used to melt some of the fat under the chin and to tighten the skin while it heals in a more lifted manner.

Is it worth it?

A facelift aims to create a smoother, more youthful appearance.

The procedure:

• removes and tightens sagging skin
• reduces the droop of the cheeks around the jawline
• lifts the corners of the mouth
• reduces the creases between the cheeks and the lips