Have you ever heard of non-surgical rhinoplasty? While a traditional surgery is a common solution for nasal re-shaping providing long-lasting results, it might not be the best option for you. Often, the cost, the downtime, and the fear could talk you out from having surgery.
Hence, more and more patients are looking for a less invasive way to re-shape their noses. It is now possible to alter the shape of your nose with simple hyaluronic acid injections.
A non-surgical nose job can effectively smooth out bumps and contour the nose, but it is temporary and has very little recovery time.
You may have some questions, though. How does it work? Can we correct flared nostrils or a nose that is too small? What are the advantages and limitations? So let’s begin.
Medically reviewed by Dr Osama Bahsas Zaky
Written by Joaquín Pineda
Updated on September 7, 2021
What is a Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty?
Why Have a Non-Surgical Procedure?
In which Cases is Nose Re-Shaping Possible?
A non-surgical rhinoplasty, also called a liquid nose job or medical rhinoplasty, is one of the latest innovations in facial aesthetic medicine. It is an effective alternative to traditional rhinoplasty.
It is also an excellent choice for those who want instant results, may not be able to afford a surgical rhinoplasty, and cannot take time off of work. No pain, no general anaesthesia, and little downtime!
This treatment changes the shape of the nose with dermal fillers strategically injected into different points of the nose.
Nose fillers can camouflage dorsal bumps and irregularities, lift a drooping tip, and open the nasolabial angle. It can even make a crooked nose look straighter and more symmetrical!
The dermal fillers used are hyaluronic acid-based substances injected using a fine needle. This is the same type of filler commonly used for cheek, jaw, and lip augmentation procedures.
Hyaluronic acid not only helps increase volume but also boosts collagen and production in the surrounding area.
Hence, hyaluronic acid injections can fix cosmetic nasal issues that traditional rhinoplasty sometimes cannot address! The results are immediate and natural. They can last up to a year.
The main goal of non-surgical rhinoplasty is to smooth the nasal contours by inserting a filling product.
The injections are performed around the area that needs to be enhanced. Hence, this non-surgical procedure can help correct nose irregularities, asymmetry, and profile issues, giving you facial harmony and better proportions.
It is important to remember that by injecting filler, we are adding volume. Hence, it is not a good option for those patients that already have large noses and need a reduction!
Indeed, fillers can plump out areas of the nose, altering its shape, but they can’t make the nose smaller. While there are some tricks to give the illusion of a smaller nose, it will be bigger objectively.
Also, the ideal candidate for a non-surgical rhinoplasty is someone who wants minor changes and alterations to the nose—for example, correcting small nasal bumps and slightly droopy tips. In the end, good outcomes depend on the patient’s anatomy and the extent of the required correction. Hence, someone who’s looking for a drastic result is not suited for this procedure.
You can’t expect to fix a severely crooked or broken nose using hyaluronic acid injections. So keep your expectations real!
Also, a non-surgical nose job is unable to correct breathing issues. In this case, you need rhinoplasty surgery without a doubt. This also applies to the correction of flared nostrils.
A quick tip: someone who wears glasses regularly should hold back from having this procedure or take proper measures. Wearing heavy glasses or sunglasses isn’t advised for up to 2 weeks after the procedure.
If the filler material is added to the bridge of the nose, it can be displaced if your glasses put pressure on that area. So consider this before having a this procedure.
Liquid rhinoplasty can correct a lot of nasal imperfections. It can help make the nose appear straighter, correct small bumps on the nasal bridge, and make it less hooked.
The treatment can also alter the width of the nose and heighten the bridge if needed. It can lift a downward-pointing nose tip and fill in depressions.
For example, consider a patient who has a bump on the nose and wants to remove it without surgery. By injecting small amounts of fillers above and below the bump, the doctor can camouflage it, making it less hooked.
Ethnic patients with a broad nasal bridge and a flat tip are examples of individuals who may benefit from non-surgical nose jobs.
The strategic placement of a small number of injectable fillers can shape the nasal bridge. It can transform a flat tip of the nose into a well-defined narrow one.
The other classic cases are tear troughs and drooping nose tips. When a nose tip falls off, it is possible to reduce these problems by injecting Botox into the muscles involved too.
A non-surgical nose job can also be a great option for those patients that had a rhinoplasty in the past and have minor irregularities postoperatively.
This type of procedure usually provides considerable improvement and it is ideal for filling in areas where the previous rhinoplasty may have removed excess soft tissue.
These patients require more experience and care in their injections, though, as the blood supply has been altered following surgery, and there could be more complications.
Finally, patients may also undergo this procedure to “test out” whether they want to take the plunge and get definite results.
So, a liquid nose job could be the preview of a traditional rhinoplasty!
A week before your treatment, avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, and herbal supplements, as these may increase bleeding and bruising.
It’s also recommended that you stay away from alcohol for 24 hours before your liquid nose job, as this can also increase the likelihood of bruising.
On the day of the procedure, the nose will be cleaned with alcohol.
Then, ice or numbing cream is applied to the nose skin area, minimizing pain or any discomfort. However, this will not be necessary if the nose filler already contains a local anaesthetic.
Next, your doctor will inject small amounts of the dermal filler into specific areas to re-shape and contour your nose beautifully.
Between injections, the doctor will manipulate the filler to re-shape the nose. The filler is smoothed out, not massaged, to prevent pressure.
The procedure takes around 15 minutes. However, it could take longer if a numbing agent is applied, as it takes about 15-20 minutes to take effect.
The treatment sounds pretty quick and simple. But it demands putting yourself in the safe hands of a medical professional, preferably a board-certified plastic surgeon.
After all, the procedure demands a deep understanding of the underlying nasal anatomy.
Adding too much product can negatively affect results.
Bear in mind that when you inject a lot of hyaluronic acid, the more the volume, the greater the risk of widening the nose and making it lose its finesse. So your doctor must have a delicate hand and a good eye!
The best part of having a non-surgical treatment is that there’s minimal downtime!
You just have to follow some recommendations.
For the most part, liquid rhinoplasty is a safe and efficient non-surgical procedure to traditional rhinoplasty. Just make sure you find a board-certified surgeon to perform the procedure!
In terms of the technique, if a filler is injected into the nose inadequately, it could damage the blood supply.
Even though hyaluronic acid is deemed safe, effective, and an excellent alternative to surgery, injected by someone without knowledge of the nose anatomy can be harmful.
A bad technique can not only result in vascular complications but also skin necrosis, infections, and even blindness. Hence, with a detailed knowledge of the anatomy and safety measures, a non-surgical nose job is a safe procedure!
The side effects are minor and temporary. You should expect a little bit of bruising (arnica can help you with this), swelling, and redness after the treatment. Maybe you could even present some bleeding at the injection sites.
The main disadvantage, not a side effect, of non-surgical rhinoplasty, is that it is not permanent, though.
The results may be visible right away, but you’ll have to undergo regular touch-ups to maintain your new profile. Nevertheless, results are more durable than for any other area of the face.
The results of non-surgical rhinoplasty are visible immediately and last between twelve and eighteen months. It takes a few days for the product to settle into place.
The duration will also depend on the type of filler used, the brand, and the patient’s metabolism. Some patients found that they didn’t require follow-up treatment after even 24 months.
It is common for the plastic surgeon to do a touch-up two weeks after the first session.
As the results are relatively temporary, little adjustments can be made as your face changes over time to ensure you retain your desired results and a natural look.
In case of over-correction, the specialist can dissolve the hyaluronic acid in the nose with hyaluronidase.
The price of a Non-surgical nose re-shaping depends on many factors.
Without knowing the patient, we do not offer approximate prices since each patient is different. But we know that the economic factor is important when making the decision. For this reason, we offer the possibility for the patient to travel to the clinic facilities for a free and no obligation first visit. You will be able to consult with the doctor all your doubts or concerns. The medical team will analyse the best solution for your case.
Social Security does not cover non-surgical rhinoplasty as it considered to be cosmetic surgery. Moreover, the price is not remarkably high, so it is a very affordable intervention!
With more than 20 years of experience, Antiaging Group Barcelona is a leading clinic in Spain in treatments to rejuvenate the face.
Doctor Jesús Benito is a recognised authority in plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery in Spain.
Specialist in face and body cosmetic medicine.
Cosmetic medicine with laser techniques (IPL, QSwitch…)
Anti-aging medicine.
If you wish, you can send us some photos to have an estimate quote. Photos will not be stored and will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. Please explain the results you wish to obtain.
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