As you’re waiting in the long line at the supermarket checkout, you pick up a magazine and start flipping through it. All the usual stories are there, but one headline with accompanying pictures has made you stop flipping and start reading.
The story was about a celebrity who instead of having a surgical nose job had a non-surgical nose job using dermal fillers.
For as long as you can remember, you’ve been unhappy with shape of your nose. And while your friends and family assure you that it’s okay, you know they’re just being nice!
As you get deeper into the article, you learn that non-surgical rhinoplasty is also called liquid rhinoplasty or a non-surgical nose job. Non-surgical rhinoplasty offers an effective way to boost your self-confidence and shape your nose in proportion with your face.
With minimal downtime compared to surgical rhinoplasty, a non-surgical nose job also offers a less expensive alternative.
What is non-surgical rhinoplasty?
Non-surgical rhinoplasty is growing in popularity because of its affordability, convenience, minimal down time (15-20 minutes) and instant results. Compared to surgical rhinoplasty, non-surgical rhinoplasty has less serious risks, complications and side effects.
If you have never had previous rhinoplasty surgery, non-surgical rhinoplasty can:
- Reduce a supra-tip break
- Increase radix height
- Unify a bifid tip
- Increase dorsal (bridge) height
- Minimise visible asymmetries
- Increase nose tip projection and columellar show
If you have had previous rhinoplasty in addition to all the above, dermal filler treatments can also:
- Improve minor or specific asymmetries
- Thicken the skin layer to reduce visible irregularity
- Minimise an inverted V
- Increasing the natural appearance of a nose if it has an ‘operated’ appearance
You can read more details about non-surgical nose jobs here.
Would you be suitable for non-surgical rhinoplasty?
It’s important to note that surgical rhinoplasty is still regarded as the best way to reshape the nose. Non-surgical rhinoplasty is an alternative to surgery for people who feel like their nose is out proportion with the rest of their face.
You may be a good candidate for a non-surgical nose job if:
- You want to improve your nose symmetry and your profile
- The bridge of your nose is flat and you want more definition
- Your nose has contour irregularities that you want to even out
- The tip of your nose is drooping down instead of up
- Your nostril rims are too high.
To determine if you are a suitable candidate for non-surgical rhinoplasty, a consultation and examination with a Cosmetic Doctor or Cosmetic Nurse will be needed.
Which dermal fillers are used for non-surgical rhinoplasty?
Most Cosmetic Doctors and Cosmetic Nurses use temporary biologic fillers, specifically hyaluronic acid fillers for non-surgical rhinoplasty. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane are reversible. These dermal fillers are the most common choice for Cosmetic Doctors and Cosmetic Nurses because if they become infected (in rare cases) they can be removed by injecting hyalase into the infection site.
Each filler substance has different physical properties, including thickness and suppleness that can deliver the best nose shape possible. These types of dermal fillers are viscous enough to add volume to an area or to correct a hollow. In some patients they can last for up to 2 years.
What happens during non-surgical rhinoplasty?
Your non-surgical rhinoplasty can be performed in the Cosmetic Doctor or Cosmetic Nurse’s office with no local anaesthetic or under a local anaesthetic. They will inject dermal fillers into the parts of the nose you want to improve.
Thicker dermal fillers will be used in areas that need more bulk and volume while finer dermal fillers will be used in areas where your skin is more delicate. To reduce the amount of pain during the dermal filler procedure, many dermal fillers are blended with lignocaine, a local anaesthetic that numbs the injection site.
In some cases, pain can be further minimised by using nitrous oxide (laughing gas) – this wears off very quickly and you will be able to drive home. It is important to note that if you’ve been given any type of sedation during the dermal filler procedure, you must not drive home.
What are the risks or complications of non-surgical rhinoplasty?
While non-surgical rhinoplasty is relatively safe, all non-surgical cosmetic procedures have risks and complications that you must be fully aware of. To reduce these risks and complications we suggest you consult with several Cosmetic Doctors or Cosmetic Nurses. We suggest you choose a Cosmetic Surgeon or Cosmetic Nurse who has extensive experience and training in facial injections. You can find the best Australian Cosmetic Surgeons for non-surgical nose jobs here.
At your initial consultation they will discuss which features of your nose are bothering you and how dermal filler can be used to correct them. They will also discuss the types of dermal fillers you will have during your treatment, including the possible side effects and after care.
Specific complications of a non-surgical nose job include:
- Tenderness and redness in the nose – this usually disappears after a couple of days
- Nasal skin damage
- Swelling and bruising – this will subside a few days after your treatment
- Itching, infection, hypersensitivity and/or allergic reactions
- A lumpy or asymmetrical appearance resulting in an unsatisfactory outcome.
If you’ve had previous rhinoplasty surgery, the risks associated with non-surgical rhinoplasty will increase significantly. Your previous nose surgery can alter the anatomy and blood supply of your nose.
This can increase the likelihood of dermal fillers blocking your nose blood supply. While this is rare, if dermal fillers are injected into arteries that supply your nose, the skin will die and leave a scar.
When will you see the non-surgical rhinoplasty results?
You will see visible results of your non-surgical rhinoplasty immediately after your dermal filler treatment. It is important to note that the results will not be permanent.
The longevity of the dermal filler treatment in your nose depends on the type of dermal filler the Cosmetic Surgeon or Cosmetic Nurse has used.