Korean term: 복코

What are bulbous noses

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) lists a bulbous tip among the tip shapes rhinoplasty can change. A review of Asian rhinoplasty describes a common pattern of thicker skin, a broad tip that lacks definition and a low bridge. StatPearls says rhinoplasty is done for functional problems, aesthetic issues or both, so reshaping a tip for appearance is an elective choice.

Common causes

Thick skin and soft tissue. A 2011 review says a broad tip may result from thick skin alone. A 2025 paper says thick skin and soft tissue hide the cartilage contours and give a rounded tip.
Wide or strongly curved tip cartilage. StatPearls says a bulbous tip is frequently due to excessive width or curvature of the lateral crura, the side parts of the tip cartilages.
Weak cartilage and fibrofatty tissue. The Asian rhinoplasty review links an undefined tip to abundant fibrofatty tissue, weaker tip cartilages and a short columella.

Treatments clinics in Korea list for bulbous noses

The card below shows what rhinoplasty is, its downtime per the sources, and the lowest regular price a clinic in this directory publishes for any rhinoplasty item, not necessarily the bulbous-tip item. The nonsurgical rhinoplasty review we read does not discuss reducing nose size, so no filler is listed here.

Rhinoplasty

Surgery that reshapes the nose by changing bone, cartilage, skin or all three.

Downtime (per the sources): Splint about a week; most activities after a week and all after 2–4 weeks; the final shape can take up to a year

From ₩1,020,410 (≈ US$770)Newline Plastic Surgery · Functional rhinoplasty · VAT excluded

3 clinics in this directory list a regular price

All prices and clinics

What the sources say about results and limits

Techniques. StatPearls and the 2011 review describe trimming or stitching the tip cartilages and adding cartilage grafts.
Thick skin sets limits. The 2011 review says thick skin may not drape well over a newly refined tip framework. The Asian rhinoplasty review says usual tip maneuvers are far less effective in Asians and that thick skin is very limiting even when cartilage support is strengthened.
Skin thinning. In a 2025 series of 22 patients, surgeons removed tip skin and soft tissue because reshaping alone may be insufficient. All reported satisfaction at one year, and 3 had nostril asymmetry. There was no control group, and removing too much skin risks the tip's blood supply.

Published prices

The table shows, for each clinic that lists a regular price, its lowest regular price for each treatment above; items, amounts and VAT basis differ between clinics.

Clinic	Rhinoplasty
Marble Plastic Surgery	₩2,000,000 (≈ US$1,510) VAT excluded · Rhinoplasty (fee notice starting price)
Newline Plastic Surgery	₩1,020,410 (≈ US$770) VAT excluded · Functional rhinoplasty
YUNO Plastic Surgery	₩2,200,000 (≈ US$1,660) VAT not stated · Rhinoplasty (starting price)

Lowest regular price each clinic lists, with its own item and VAT basis.

Questions to ask the clinic

Is my tip shape from skin, cartilage or both?
Which technique will you use, and where would graft material come from?
Can you show a computer simulation of a realistic change for my skin?
Which items are in the quote: the tip only, or also the bridge and nostrils?
What is the revision policy, given that the shape can keep changing for up to a year? Please put it in writing.
Does the quote include VAT? Is it a regular or an event price?

FAQ

Can a bulbous nose tip be reduced without surgery?

Our sources do not describe a non-surgical way to narrow a tip. The nonsurgical rhinoplasty review we read covers filler for building up the bridge and adding tip projection, and it does not discuss reducing nose size. A doctor can say what is possible for your tip.

Why does thick skin matter for a bulbous nose?

Thick skin and soft tissue can hide the shape of the cartilage beneath. The sources say it may not drape well over a refined framework, and that usual tip maneuvers are far less effective in Asian noses. Ask how your skin thickness was assessed and how it changes the plan.

How long until the final shape shows?

ASPS says initial swelling subsides within a few weeks, but the new nasal contour may take up to a year to refine fully. StatPearls advises waiting at least a year before judging the final result and considering a revision. Your surgeon sets your own plan.

Is a bulbous nose a medical problem?

The sources describe it as a nose-tip shape. StatPearls says rhinoplasty is done for function, appearance or both. If you also have trouble breathing through your nose, ask a doctor to assess that separately, because tip shape and breathing are different questions.

Bulbous nose: what it is and the rhinoplasty clinics in Korea list for it