Non Surgical Rhinoplasty

Non-surgical rhinoplasty is used to sculpt the shape of the nose by utilizing strategic injections of dermal fillers. This procedure is also known as the “Non-Surgical Nose Job” or “The 5 Minute Nose Job”. Non-surgical rhinoplasty is considered minimally invasive but still improves the shape, size and appearance of the nose. The changes in the nose are made to showcase harmony among the facial features and provide more balance.

Am I a Good Candidate for Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty?

A GOOD CANDIDATE for non-surgical rhinoplasty is someone who doesn’t want to undergo surgical rhinoplasty even though they are not happy with the contour of his or her nose. Patients who can benefit from this procedure include:

• Patients who want to diminish the appearance of a bump on the nose
• A patient with a nose tip drooping down who wants the tip lifted with dermal fillers in order to gain a straight profile
• Asian patients who want to lift the bridge of their nose to enhance the definition and also de-emphasize their nasal roundness and tip size
• Patients with imperfections such as dips, divots, depressions, a crooked nose or unbalanced nostrils
• Patients who have undergone surgical rhinoplasty in the past and who now need revisions due to asymmetry, indentations or an irregular contour to their nose

Patients who are NOT GOOD CANDIDATES include those who want to dramatically reduce the shape and size of their nose. When sculpted properly, non-surgical rhinoplasty helps a nose appear slightly smaller in size but does not provide the dramatic effect of surgical rhinoplasty.

How Is Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty Performed?

The physician will examine the facial features with a mirror in hand so patients can point out the specific areas they want to see addressed. The doctor will make sure that the patient understands exactly what is to be done and how that will improve the appearance of their nose. A "before" photo is taken for later comparison after the procedure. Numbing cream is applied to the treated areas to minimize the discomfort of the injections. A fine needle is used to deposit micro-droplets of dermal filler under the skin. Only a few injections are needed and the entire process takes about 5 minutes. The filler can be molded into shape directly after the injections.

Non-surgical rhinoplasty can be performed with temporary or permanent fillers. Temporary fillers are eventually broken down and re-absorbed into the body. Permanent fillers cannot be absorbed and stay in place for many years. Radiesse, Voluma and Bellafill are three common dermal fillers used for contouring the nose and they all have some differences:

Radiesse

• Doesn't spread after being injected
• Very dense filler that holds its shape
• Lasts for up to 12 months
• Made of Calcium Hydroxyapatite
• Not reversible

Voluma

• Lasts for 12-24 months
• Hyaluronic acid filler
• Reversible and can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase
• Soft and natural

Bellafill

• Considered a permanent filler
• Combination of purified bovine collagen and methyl methacrylate
• Does not get dissolved by the body
• Lasts 10 years or more

Over the course of several weeks, the patient's own cells surround the filler particles and integrate the filler into the structure of the skin. Non-surgical rhinoplasty normally requires 2 to 3 sessions, separated by 4 to 6 weeks, for the best results.

What is the Cost of Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty?

Patients can expect to pay $700 to $2500. The total cost depends on the experience of the doctor, the type of filler used and the area of the country where the treatment is performed.

Recovery and Downtime

Since non-surgical rhinoplasty is minimally invasive, the RECOVERY TIME is minor. Patients can expect to see some redness at the injection site as well as minor bruising. If the tip of the nose is treated with a generous amount of filler, the patient may experience redness and tenderness at the tip for a few weeks. Dermal fillers contain anesthetic and this generally keeps the area numb for 30 minutes after the treatment. There is no residual discomfort after the treatment. Therefore, no pain medication is needed and most patients can return to their usual activities immediately after the procedure.

Results

Patients will see immediate results since there is minimal bruising and swelling. After the procedure, some irregularities in shape may appear while the fillers are settling but this can be corrected by gently massaging the area to help evenly distribute the filler. The doctor evaluates symmetry and balance during the 4-week follow-up appointment. At that time, the physician will assess the nose and decide if further treatment is required. The final results of non-surgical rhinoplasty should be evident after that touch-up visit.

Patients who need extensive work done on their nose, such as significantly reducing the size or shape of the nose, may need traditional surgical rhinoplasty to address their concerns. Traditional rhinoplasty also entails a greater risk, more expense and a significant recovery time. Non-surgical rhinoplasty is a better option for people who can’t afford the time off work necessary to recover from traditional rhinoplasty.

Limitations and Risks of Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty

The main LIMITATION with non-surgical rhinoplasty is that it cannot make the nose smaller. Large bumps, significantly twisted noses and noticeably enlarged nostrils cannot be corrected with this procedure.  This treatment option is excellent at augmenting the nasal bridge but there is a limit to how much filler can be injected. The procedure cannot accomplish extreme augmentation.

Some minor side effects include:

• Mild swelling
• Bruising
• Redness
• Skin irregularities

Rare RISKS include:

• Scarring due to damage to the skin if the physician administers too much filler in an area with weak blood flow
• Injecting filler into a blood vessel can lead to blindness but this is a very rare risk

Do the Research

Non-surgical rhinoplasty is an effective way to alter the contour of the nose while providing physical and psychological benefits to a patient unhappy with the size or shape of their nose. Patients considering non-surgical rhinoplasty are encouraged to do their research and find an experienced physician to give them the results they desire. The doctor should be an artist who understands the procedure very well and is specialized in non-surgical aesthetic procedures of the face.

Written by Cosmetic Town Editorial Team- MA

Based on an exclusive interview with Alexander Rivkin, MD in Los Angeles, CA