Rhinoplasty is often described as the most difficult plastic surgery to perform. If you are seeking a nose-reshaping procedure, you want to trust your nose to a surgeon who has both ample training and experience, as well as board certification. But, surgery isn’t the only option if you are dissatisfied with the shape and size of your nose. Some patients might be able to skip rhinoplasty and receive a non-surgical nose job instead.
Keep in mind that non-surgical rhinoplasty isn’t right for every patient. In some cases, the way to get the nose you want is to undergo rhinoplasty.
What It Involves
Instead of having the surgeon cut into the nose to augment it or add an implant, non-surgical rhinoplasty involves the use of an injected filler, typically Radiesse. Radiesse is made of calcium hydroxylapatite, the material found in bone. It’s much heavier than hyaluronic acid but can still be shaped and molded when injected.
The location of the injection depends on what the patient wants done to the nose. A common injection site is the bridge of the nose, or the bony area on the top of the nose. Then injected in that area, the filler can help reduce the appearance of a bump on the nose or it can help fill in a concave area that formed after the cartilage collapsed, due to a deformity or injury. The filler can also be used on the top of the nose to adjust the slope and angle.
Another injection site is the base of the columella, the bony divider between the nostrils. A surgeon might place Radiesse or another filler in that area to lift the nose and improve the angle between the upper lip and tip of the nose.
It takes much less time to inject a filler into the nose than it does to perform rhinoplasty. In some cases, the treatment takes just 15 minutes. Results are visible right away and you can typically go back to your regular life immediately. Unlike surgery, there’s limited pain afterwards and you don’t have to limit your activities too much.
Results Compared to Surgery
One of the big differences between non-surgical rhinoplasty and surgical is that the results don’t last nearly as long. If you decide to undergo rhinoplasty, your new nose will be your nose permanently. But the results from a filler typically only last about a year, or two years at the most. If you want to maintain the results, you’ll have to go back for repeated treatments.
Not for Everyone
Non-surgical rhinoplasty isn’t the best option for every patient who wants to change his or her nose. The key thing to remember when considering a non-surgical nose job is that a filler is used to treat the area. That means that if you want a smaller nose, it’s not going to be the right pick for you. Typically, the procedure is best for people who want to reduce bumps or humps on the nose, enhance the tip of the nose or repair a collapsed nose. Whether a filler will work on your nose or not also depends on the thickness of your skin.
Finding a Surgeon
If you’re considering a non-surgical rhinoplasty, it’s essential that you find a surgeon with experience not only with injectable fillers but also with rhinoplasty. A surgeon with a lot of knowledge about the shape of the nose and ways to enhance it will be best suited to performing a non-surgical procedure. Without a full understanding of the nose, the person doing the injection might inject too much of the filler or too little, leaving you with less than desirable results.
Testing the Waters
While some people decide that a non-surgical nose reshaping procedure is the way they want to go, others decide to try it to see what they can expect if they do decide to undergo a traditional rhinoplasty procedure. Receiving temporary fillers in the nasal area will let you see how your nose will look if the bridge is made wider or if the tip is enhanced. A non-surgical rhinoplasty can let you test the waters before you commit to the actual surgery.
Whether you are considering a non-surgical procedure or surgical rhinoplasty, Dr. George Moynihan is able to discuss your questions and concerns with you. Dr. Moynihan is a Chicago-based double board-certified otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon who specializes in the nose. To schedule a consultation at his practice, Gold Coast Plastic Surgery, call the office at (312) 988-9300.
