A rhinoplasty scar depends on the approach. Closed rhinoplasty uses incisions inside the nose, so no scar shows. Open rhinoplasty adds a small cut across the columella, the strip between the nostrils, which usually fades to a fine line within months. Nostril-narrowing adds scars in the nostril creases.
This guide belongs to our rhinoplasty overview, which covers techniques, costs and results in full.
Does rhinoplasty leave a scar?
Only some approaches leave a visible rhinoplasty scar: an open columella incision and any nostril-base cuts; closed surgery hides every incision inside.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US), a rhinoplasty is done either closed, with incisions hidden inside the nose, or open, with an incision across the columella. Extra cuts in the natural creases of the nostrils are needed only when the nostrils are made smaller.
ASPS lists poor healing or scarring among the possible risks of any rhinoplasty. Thicker scars are more likely in people who tend to form raised scars elsewhere on the body, so mention this at your consultation.
Open vs closed (table)
Open surgery gives the surgeon a direct view of the tip at the cost of a small external scar; closed surgery leaves none but offers less exposure.
| Factor | Closed rhinoplasty | Open rhinoplasty |
|---|---|---|
| Incision | Inside the nostrils only | Inside the nostrils plus a small cut across the columella |
| Visible scar | None | Fine line under the tip, usually hard to see once healed |
| Access | More limited view of the framework | Direct view of tip cartilages and grafts |
| Tip swelling | Tends to settle sooner | Tip often stays swollen longest, per ASPS |
| Reoperation after primary surgery | 1.56% | 2.73% (difference not significant) |
The reoperation figures come from a 2017 systematic review in the International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology of 11,035 rhinoplasties. Our rhinoplasty aftercare guide covers how to look after the incisions at home.
Open vs closed rhinoplasty scar healing timeline
Stitches come out in about a week; the columella scar is pink for weeks, then softens and pales over months as the nose settles over a year.
| Time after surgery | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Splint and stitches removed; incision line visible and slightly raised (ASPS; NHS) |
| Weeks 2 to 3 | Bruising and redness often faded by 3 weeks (NHS); scar pink but flat |
| Weeks 4 to 6 | About half the swelling gone by 6 weeks (ASPS); scar starts to soften |
| Months 3 to 12 | Scar continues to pale; nose contour refines for up to a year (ASPS) |
Closed rhinoplasty follows the same swelling timeline, but there’s no external line to watch. Scar maturation varies with skin type and healing. For the full week-by-week picture, see our rhinoplasty recovery timeline.
Nostril (alar base) scars
Nostril narrowing places scars in the crease where the nostril meets the cheek. In a 2005 study of 124 patients in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, 25% had dermabrasion (light skin smoothing) to refine these scars afterwards. The authors advise telling patients the scars may be visible.
Scar care
Follow your surgeon’s wound instructions, protect the scar from sun and give it months; stitch type made no difference to scar appearance in one trial.
- Keep the incision clean and follow instructions until the stitches come out.
- Don’t pick at crusts inside or outside the nostrils.
- Use sun protection, which ASPS recommends to help maintain results.
- Don’t smoke. ASPS lists being a nonsmoker among candidate criteria because smoking slows healing.
- Be patient. Judge the scar after several months, not in the first weeks.
Patients sometimes ask whether dissolving or permanent stitches heal better. A 2022 randomized trial in Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine compared the two for the columella closure and found no difference in scar scores from blinded raters or from patients. In my experience, most people stop noticing the columella scar once it has fully matured, and a few need a minor touch-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Answers on how visible the open rhinoplasty scar is, how long it takes to fade, closed surgery scars and fixing a poor scar.
Is the open rhinoplasty scar noticeable?
Usually not once healed. The incision sits across the narrow columella under the tip, where it’s hard to see at normal distance. It looks pink and visible in the first weeks, then softens and pales over several months as it matures.
Does closed rhinoplasty leave any scar?
Not one you can see. All incisions are inside the nostrils. If the nostrils are narrowed at the same time, small scars are placed in the creases where the nostrils meet the cheeks, whichever approach the surgeon uses.
How long does a rhinoplasty scar take to heal?
Stitches come out in about a week and redness often fades by around three weeks. The scar keeps maturing for months, and the nose itself takes up to a year to settle, so judge the final scar after that time.
Can a bad rhinoplasty scar be improved?
Often, yes. Options depend on the scar and may include dermabrasion or a small scar revision. In one study, a quarter of nostril-narrowing patients had dermabrasion to refine their scars. Wait until the scar has matured before deciding.
If you’d like to discuss which approach your nose needs and where the scars would sit, you can book a consultation with Metropole Clinic by ABmedi. For costs and results, return to our rhinoplasty hub.
This article is for general education and does not replace a personal medical consultation.
References
Show sources
- Rhinoplasty: Procedure steps. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- Rhinoplasty: Risks and safety. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- What to expect from your rhinoplasty recovery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). 2022. plasticsurgery.org
- Nose reshaping (rhinoplasty). National Health Service (NHS, UK). Reviewed 2023. nhs.uk
- Crosara PFTB, et al. Rhinoplasty Complications and Reoperations: Systematic Review. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2017;21(1):97-101. scielo.br
- Kridel RWH, Castellano RD. A simplified approach to alar base reduction. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2005;7(2):81-93. journals.sagepub.com
- Jonas et al. Columellar incision closure in open rhinoplasty: a randomized controlled trial. Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med. 2022;24(3):196-201. journals.sagepub.com
- Rhinoplasty: Candidates and Results. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
