Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty
What is non-surgical rhinoplasty?
Non-surgical rhinoplasty typically refers to the use of injectable fillers placed under the skin of the nose to modify its appearance. Various types of fillers may be used to correct nasal irregularities and asymmetries, camouflage a nasal hump, and augment other regions of the nose such as the bridge or tip of the nose. The most commonly used fillers for non-surgical rhinoplasty are hyaluronic acid based. These fillers are reversible and last between 9 to 18 months.
Who Is A Candidate?
Non-surgical rhinoplasty is a great option for those who may not be 100% set on surgical intervention. The effects of non-surgical rhinoplasty are temporary and reversible. So, should you be unsure about a particular modification to the nose, the use of fillers offers you a glimpse into the possibilities of a more permanent surgical rhinoplasty. Non-surgical rhinoplasty is also a good option for those who do not want surgery, are not good candidates for surgery, or have already hadn revision rhinoplasty and still with contour irregularities.
What Can Be Achieved with Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty?
Non-surgical or “liquid” rhinoplasty can be used to augment the bridge of the nose for people who were either born with a small nose or experienced some form of trauma that resulted in a “flattened” nasal bridge. It may be used to create a sharper or more pointed nasal tip. Fillers may also be used to correct any nasal asymmetries such as bumps or depressions in the cartilage or bone of the nose, either from previous surgery or trauma.
Does non-surgical rhinoplasty carry any risks?
Side effects are similar to dermal fillers for the face. There may be some associated swelling, bruising associated with the injection for a few days after the procedure. The nose does have a complex system of blood vessels that requires extreme care. Should filler accidentally enter into a major blood vessel or compress a blood vessel it may cause necrosis - tissue death in a region of the nose, and possible blindness. These complications are typically associated with the technique and amount injected. Overinjection may also cause excessive skin stretching which may potentially distort the nose even after the filler is reabsorbed. Thus, non-surgical rhinoplasty should only be performed by injectors who are experienced and fully understand the anatomy and blood supply of the nose.
What are the pros and cons?
The advantages of non-surgical rhinoplasty is that it is largely non-committal. Fillers are temporary and may also be reversed. Should you be uncertain with a more permanent change through surgery, fillers provide a “trial period” of possible results with a more formal rhinoplasty. Costs of non-surgical rhinoplasty are also significantly less than surgical rhinoplasty and can be achieved without anesthesia. Results of non-surgical rhinoplasty are instantaneous and does not require the downtime from traditional rhinoplasty. The disadvantages of non-surgical rhinoplasty are that results are temporary. Maintenance requires repeat injections every 9-12 months on average. The procedure is not entirely without risk as detailed above.
