Rhinophyma Treatment in Merchant City, Glasgow

This is a simple laser surgery procedure done on a day case basis. Patients will generally stay in the clinic for 3 hours or less.

It is preferable to use a powerful, short pulsed CO2 laser (Lumenis Ultrapulse CO2 is specifically designed for this application – it has the shortest pulse width and maximum power) instead of a fractional cosmetic CO2 laser. Due to overheating and insufficient vaporisation of the tissue, lower-powered lasers can cause burns, scarring, and pigmentation loss.

Local anaesthesia is used for the procedure. The nasal ring block technique completely numbs the nose. During his practice, Dr Cormac often uses anaesthetic gel to prepare the nose. The procedure is painless once the anaesthetic is applied. The CO2 laser will not cause any discomfort during the procedure.

The nose will be cleaned and prepared by Dr Cormac prior to applying the anaesthetic gel. A 40-minute period will be required for the application of the anaesthetic gel. A nasal anaesthetic ring block will be injected after the gel is removed.

Following complete numbing of the nose, Dr Cormac will use the CO2 laser to treat the problem. To begin with, the excess skin tissue will be removed. Depending on the amount of excess skin tissue, different methods may be utilized. With the laser, a lump or nodule that is large can be actually cut off. Debulking and removing excess tissue are usually achieved with the CO2 laser in continuous wave mode with high power output.

In order to restore the original shape of the nose, Dr Cormac will use a pulsed mode to sculpt and shape the remaining tissue. A controlled full ablation will then be performed on the rest of the nose, blending the skin and avoiding obvious scarring.

Treatment for rhinophyma usually takes place in one sitting. If there are any remaining bridges of excess tissue, a supplementary session may be required for complex and larger rhinophymas.

In order to form a protective barrier over the nose, aquaphor cream or vaseline is applied following the treatment. The cream or vaseline must be applied for at least fourteen days. Throughout the next fourteen days, the aquaphor/vaseline will be applied twice daily to the nose as well as the rest of the face. By the end of 14 days, the skin of the nose will become functional and normal with a reddish/pink appearance. Recovery will be complete after 3 months with reduced redness.

We are only based in Glasgow, but we do get visitors from other areas – these include areas such as Edinburgh Aberdeen, Fife, Stirling, Dundee and as far as London and Ireland.

While there is no guaranteed way to prevent rhinophyma, early management of rosacea is key. Identifying and avoiding trigger factors such as excessive sun exposure, alcohol, spicy foods, and stress can help reduce flare-ups. Regular use of sun protection, a gentle skincare routine, and seeking early medical advice for rosacea symptoms can lower the risk of progression to rhinophyma.

Rhinophyma is a skin condition affecting the nose, most often seen as a late stage of rosacea. It is characterised by thickened skin, enlarged oil glands, and changes in texture or shape of the nose. Over time, this can cause swelling and visible disfigurement if left untreated.

Yes, women can develop rhinophyma, although it is much more common in men. The condition tends to appear later in life and is most frequently diagnosed in men over the age of 50.

Alcohol does not cause rhinophyma, although it can worsen rosacea symptoms and trigger flushing in some people. Rhinophyma is linked to rosacea, an inflammatory skin condition, and develops gradually over time. The belief that alcohol causes rhinophyma is a long-standing myth.

The most effective treatment for rhinophyma is the precise removal of excess skin tissue. At Ever Clinic, we use advanced CO2 laser resurfacing to sculpt and smooth the nose. This technique removes the thickened tissue, restores a more natural shape, and reduces redness, all with minimal risk compared to traditional surgery.