With front-and-center real estate on our faces, the nose is often one of our main focal points. It helps define the symmetry of the rest of our face and often can be the first thing we notice when we look in the mirror. This is why it can be frustrating for people who live with rhinophyma.

Rhinophyma is a skin disorder that causes the nose to enlarge and become red, bumpy, and bulbous. It’s caused by excessive enlargement of sebaceous glands on the nose. Experts believe it comes from untreated, severe rosacea, which is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes facial redness. While rhinophyma is not-life-threatening nor painful, it can be a bothersome condition that can affect one’s self esteem.

The good news is that there are several out-patient, non-surgical dermatological treatments that can target the causes of rhinophyma and help to correct your complexion to bring back the skin you feel most comfortable in.

Rhinophyma treatments offered include:

To find out which rhinophyma therapy best addresses your personal needs, visit Dr. Khorasani at our New York City practice. To request a consultation, text message us securely, or contact our Manhattan office by phone at 212-230-3378.

What is a Rhinophyma?

Rhinophyma is a skin disorder that is identified by a large, red, bumpy, or bulbous nose. While the exact cause is unknown, it is considered to be a result of severe rosacea. The condition is much more common in men, specifically between the ages of 50 and 70 years old.

Rosacea is a common skin condition. In fact, more than 16 million Americans are affected by it. It is chronic and inflammatory and results in patchy redness or flushing, particularly on the cheeks or nose. As part of this condition, patients may also notice small, red bumps, called pustules, that appear on the face.

There are four subtypes of rosacea and rhinophyma is categorized as part of subtype 3. This means it forms gradually over many years and is believed to be a side effect of untreated rosacea.

While the official cause is unclear, there are a variety of effective laser treatments that can treat sebaceous hyperplasia, which is the root cause of this disease.

FAQ’s About Rhinophyma

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Dermabrasion

One of the best treatment options for rhinophyma is dermabrasion. We routinely combine dermabrasion with laser resurfacing as they work in a synergistic manner. Whereas laser resurfacing helps remodel skin’s texture and shrink sebaceous glands, dermabrasion is simply the mechanical sanding and reshaping of the skin’s irregularities. To demonstrate this synergistic relationship we use a “painting the wall” analogy. When painting a wall, first a primer is applied to the uneven surface and allowed to dry. Then a sand paper is used to sand the primed area and ensure that the surface is even before the paint is applied. In the case of rhinophyma, dermabrasion is the “sanding of the primer” and the laser resurfacing treatment is the “paint.” A dermabrasion treatment carefully removes the top layer of the skin, smoothing the irregularities on the nose. This mechanical procedure then allows the energy from the subsequent laser treatment to reach deeper, remodeling the tissue. The use of the laser helps with hemostasis or the cessation of bleeding, caused by dermabrasion, hence completing this complementary relationship.

FAQ's About Dermabrasion for Rhinophyma Treatment

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PreciseFX™

PreciseFX is a continuous wave CO2 laser used to debulk skin. It ablates the tissue without leaving any collateral damage. Since the ablative laser is more of a tissue removal, it allows for better contour of the nose. The procedure is performed with topical anesthetic ointment as well as injection of lidocaine for extra comfort and takes about fifteen to twenty minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated. Follow-up care after a PreciseFX is similar to dermabrasion (see above). Since no sutures are used, you may return to your normal routine immediately.

FAQ’s about PreciseFX for Rhinophyma Treatment

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DeepFX™

DeepFX is a fractionated ablative Co2 laser. As opposed to PreciseFX which ablates epidermis and superficial dermis in continuous fashion this laser emits laser energy deeper into the skin in order to shrink sebaceous glands. It can be combined with PreciseFX in order to achieve a multi layer treatment. Overall, resurfacing lasers are most appropriate for patients looking to dramatically improve skin texture and can tolerate some amount of downtime. These lasers need to be used with caution in patients with a darker skin complexion.

FAQ’s About DeepFX for Rhinophyma Treatment

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Why choose Dr. Khorasani for Rhinophyma treatment?

Dr. Hooman Khorasani is quadruple board-certified in Dermatology, Cosmetic Surgery, Facial Cosmetic Surgery and Mohs micrographic surgery. Additionally he led the Division of Dermatologic and Cosmetic Surgery at Mount Sinai for 10+ years. His passion for providing patients with cutting-edge treatments to facilitate their cosmetic goals has led to his involvement in multiple research projects investigating novel applications and advanced clinical techniques for laser-based skin resurfacing. Dr. Khorasani’s internationally recognized proficiency in cosmetic medicine has led many health professionals to seek his mentorship and learn from his best practices so that they too can provide their patients with optimal aesthetic outcomes. 


Armed with this advanced clinical and academic competency, Dr. Khorasani carefully crafts a therapy plan for each patient that adheres to the highest standards of medical care and is optimized to produce the greatest results possible. Personalization is infused into every aspect of our practice, from the treatment itself to our highly-skilled office personnel that are available 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns. Together as a team, we can help your skin look its very best!

Request A Consultation

Dr. Khorasani and his highly-specialized team look forward to working with you to transform your medical or aesthetic goals into reality. To expedite a request for a consultation, message us securely, or contact Dr. Khorasani’s Manhattan office by phone at 212-230-3378. For more information about how to get in touch:

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