Nonsurgical approach to rhinoplasty

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     A liquid rhinoplasty, or non-surgical rhinoplasty, is the injection of dermal fillers into the nose to alter its shape. It's a great option for patients that have isolated deformities of their nose, such as a dorsal hump or minor asymmetries.

It can also be a great option for those patients that have had a rhinoplasty in the past and have minor irregularities postoperatively. These patients, however, require more expertise and care in their injections as the blood supply has already been altered following surgery and the risks of complications can be higher.

     Non-surgical rhinoplasty is also a great option for those that want instant results, may not be able to afford a surgical rhinoplasty, and cannot take significant time off of work.

     Finally, patients may also undergo a liquid rhinoplasty to "test out" whether they want to take the plunge and get more definite surgery. The results are temporary and you can essentially take your rhinoplasty out for a "test-drive."

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Using dermal fillers for rhinoplasty

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     It is also important to remember that during this procedure, we are injecting filler, so we are adding volume. This technique by default will augment the nose, so it not a good option for those patients that already have large noses and need a reduction. While there are different tricks we can use to create the illusion of a smaller nose, the nose will be bigger objectively, regardless.

The most vital thing to remember is that there are risks associated with this procedure. The nose has a complicated blood supply that essentially creates an arcade of small arteries and veins that connect ultimately with the eyes. Not to scare anyone, but if injected by someone that does not have a thorough understanding of this anatomy, not only can this result in complications of vascular compromise, skin necrosis, and infections, but blindness can also develop.

     With a detailed knowledge of the anatomy and safety maneuvers, liquid rhinoplasty is a safe procedure. If you have toyed with the idea of this, consult with a board-certified physician (M.D, D.O) or nurse practitioner (N.P)  to see if you are a good candidate for this procedure.

 

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     You might have heard of liquid rhinoplasty, or you might be familiar with its other names: non-surgical nose job, liquid nose job and non-surgical rhinoplasty. Either way, these FAQs cover everything from what this treatment is to how long the results last. So, you’ll have everything you need to know in no time!

 

What is liquid rhinoplasty?

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     Liquid rhinoplasty is a non-surgical nose job, also sometimes called a liquid nose job. This treatment involves dermal filler being strategically injected into different points of the nose to reshape it.

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How does liquid rhinoplasty work?

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     During liquid rhinoplasty, your practitioner will inject target areas of the nose with dermal filler (most often hyaluronic acid fillers) using a fine needle. The bridge of the nose is often the target of the injections since there’s less risk of accidentally hitting an artery. Between injections, your practitioner will massage the nose, manipulating the filler until the desired shape is achieved.

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What are the liquid rhinoplasty benefits?

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    Liquid rhinoplasty can help correct nose asymmetry and profile issues to make the nose look more balanced and proportionate.

The nose reshaping treatment can help make the nose appear straighter, correct bumps on the bridge, make it less hooked, lift a downward-pointing nose tip and fill in depressions. The treatment can also heighten the bridge and alter the width of the nose. 

    Liquid rhinoplasty is less of a commitment than surgical rhinoplasty since the results are temporary, and other factors like downtime, cost, side effects, and risks are also reduced - all added benefits.

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 What type of nose fillers are used in liquid rhinoplasty?

 

    As with lots of other dermal filler treatments, hyaluronic acid fillers are the most popular and commonly used type of filler for liquid rhinoplasty, including the brands Restylane and Juvéderm. This type of filler is temporary and will be metabolized by the body.

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How long does the liquid rhinoplasty procedure take?

 

     The treatment time of this nose reshaping procedure is pretty short. The treatment itself usually takes less than 30 minutes, with an additional 20 (ish) minutes on top of that for the numbing cream or anesthetic to take effect (if one is used).

 

Are there any non-surgical nose job side effects?

 

     As with most aesthetic treatments, there is the potential for some side effects with liquid rhinoplasty. You should expect a little bit of bruising (arnica cream can help with this), swelling and redness after the treatment, and maybe even some bleeding at the injection sites. The area might also feel a bit tender afterward. The good news is, though, that these side effects shouldn’t last long (roughly a few days). If these symptoms persist, contact your practitioner for advice.

 

    More serious liquid rhinoplasty risks can occur, such as occlusions (when filler accidentally blocks a blood vessel). But, these are rare - especially if you choose a medically qualified practitioner.

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What’s the recovery time of liquid rhinoplasty?

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    One of the biggest perks of liquid rhinoplasty is that there’s no downtime afterward. You’ll be able to go about your day as usual straight after the nose filler treatment.

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Does liquid rhinoplasty hurt?

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    Everyone’s pain tolerance is different, so this one’s a bit harder to answer. But, generally, liquid nose job treatments can cause a bit of discomfort. But, some form of anesthetic (numbing cream or local anesthetic) will likely be applied before the treatment to numb the area and help minimize pain. Lots of fillers also have lidocaine in them - an anesthetic that will further reduce discomfort.

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Is liquid rhinoplasty safe?

 

    Liquid rhinoplasty is a medium-risk treatment, but choosing a medically qualified practitioner (like the ones working in our practice) can ensure it’s as safe as possible. The nose has lots of important arteries running through it and, if one of these is hit with a needle, there could be all kinds of serious consequences. So, it’s crucial that your practitioner has extensive knowledge of facial anatomy and lots of practice. Look at your practitioner’s qualifications before you go ahead with the procedure to check they’re properly qualified.

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Should I do anything to prepare for my liquid rhinoplasty treatment?

 

    A week prior to your treatment, avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E and fish oil supplements as these may increase bleeding and bruising. However, if you are taking any prescribed medicines, including aspirin, do not stop taking them. Instead, chat with your practitioner first.

It’s also best that you steer clear of alcohol for 24 hours before your liquid nose job as this, too, can increase the likelihood of bruising.

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Is there anything I should avoid after my liquid rhinoplasty treatment?

 

    After liquid rhinoplasty, there are a few things that you should avoid for roughly 1-2 weeks. These include wearing glasses and having facials or other skin treatments as they can interfere with the filler before it’s fully set.

For 1-2 days after the treatment, you should avoid touching the injected areas, wearing makeup, exercising, and being exposed to heat (like saunas).

Your practitioner will give you detailed aftercare advice.

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Who is not a suitable candidate for liquid rhinoplasty?

 

    If you want to reduce the size of your nose, liquid rhinoplasty is not the treatment for you. Fillers can plump out points of the nose to alter its shape, but they can’t make the nose smaller. It’s also important to remember that non-surgical rhinoplasty is best for making minor changes and alterations to the nose, rather than delivering drastic differences.

 

    If you have an allergy to any ingredients in the filler, it’s important that you don’t go through with the treatment. And injections are not recommended if your skin is swollen, infected, or irritated.

Liquid rhinoplasty is also not recommended if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

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Who can perform liquid rhinoplasty?

 

    Nose reshaping treatments should only ever be carried out in a clinic by a medically qualified practitioner (M.D, O.D, or N.P). Otherwise, the treatment could be very dangerous and you could end up with unintended results.

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What if I don’t like the results of liquid rhinoplasty?

 

    Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are temporary and, if you’re unhappy with the results, they can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. After the hyaluronidase is injected, the nose will return to its natural shape.

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 How long do the results of liquid rhinoplasty last?

    Each person will metabolize filler at a different rate, but when hyaluronic acid-based fillers are used, liquid rhinoplasty results typically last for 6-18 months. At this point, you can have the treatment repeated if you want to.

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    At our office, You & I Medical Aesthetic Spa, non-surgical rhinoplasty medical procedure is performed by nurse practitioner  Leonard Einstein APRN, NP-C who is highly qualified and with a high rate of satisfied patients as well as hundreds of successful medical procedures performed. 

Call  +1 (954)-655-6559 to schedule an appointment. 

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