Surgical rhinoplasty is consistently one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the world. The surgery transforms the face by creating a balance among the facial features and reducing the prominence of the nose. Over the years, rhinoplasty procedures have evolved to include modern advancements and less invasive options. Always on the cutting-edge of aesthetic medicine, the team at the Boston Center for Facial Rejuvenation is proud to offer an exciting new procedure in Boston, MA: non-surgical rhinoplasty or “liquid nose job.”
- How Does Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty Work?
- Why Are Hyaluronic Acid Fillers Used for Nose Reshaping?
- The Pros and Cons of a Liquid Rhinoplasty
- Good Candidates for Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty
- How Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty is Performed
- Possible Risks of Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty
- FAQs About Non-Surgical Nose Jobs in Boston
How Does Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty Work?
Non-surgical rhinoplasty is an in-office procedure that does not require sedation, incisions, or tissue removal. A dermal filler, typically one composed of hyaluronic acid, is strategically injected below the skin of the nose to:
- Create symmetry
- Improve a crooked nose
- Smooth a dorsal hump
- Elevate bridge height
- Reduce the appearance of visible cartilage
- Refine the shape of the nose
- Correct nasal tip irregularities
The injections contour the nose according to the patient’s goals by adding small amounts of natural-looking volume. Though it might seem counterintuitive to add volume to a nose that appears too large, the procedure is actually very effective in camouflaging imperfections. The result is a more polished look that helps patients feel more confident.
Why Are Hyaluronic Acid Fillers Used for Nose Reshaping?
There are various types of dermal fillers on the market, but hyaluronic acid fillers are the most popular. Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the human body and aids in maintaining areas like in the eyes, skin, and connective tissues.
One of the properties that make hyaluronic acid so effective is that it attracts and retains water up to 1000x its own weight, creating necessary hydration and volume. Juvederm, Restylane, and Revanesse are three popular hyaluronic acid-based fillers that are available at the Boston Center for Facial Rejuvenation.
Dr. Miller uses hyaluronic acid fillers in their non-surgical rhinoplasty procedures to allow more of the body’s own hydration sources to create natural-looking changes in the nose. The results of a non-surgical nose job can last from months to years. Patients will notice changes to their nose immediately.
Facial fillers have been popular as anti-aging treatments for years but have only recently been used to improve the look of the nose. The Boston Center for Facial Rejuvenation provides patients with a wide array of options for dermal injections, though our physician injectors may recommend specific products based on the patient’s case and procedure type.
The Pros and Cons of a Liquid Rhinoplasty
Pros
Though a non-surgical rhinoplasty performed with injectable fillers is not a permanent solution to cosmetic nose issues, this aspect of the procedure is appealing for patients who may not yet be ready to commit to a permanent new nose or plastic surgery.
Patients will notice results right away and can enjoy their new look without the downtime and months-long healing process required for traditional rhinoplasty surgery. Because a liquid nose job is less involved and invasive, the cost is also significantly lower than surgical rhinoplasty.
Cons
While a temporary nose job may be ideal for some patients, others might be better candidates for surgical procedures. A non-surgical rhinoplasty cannot decrease the size of the nose, which is a change that many patients request. Some patients also wish to achieve permanent results that do not require touch-up sessions, which can add up over time.
Trauma or disease might cause significant damage to the internal nasal cartilage and bone, which may need to be repaired through nasal reconstruction surgery. In patients with a deviated septum, a surgical fix is necessary to improve nasal breathing and drainage, two main functions of the nose.
Good Candidates for Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty
The first step in learning more about your rhinoplasty options is to schedule a consultation with one of our physician injectors at one of our Boston area locations. This is your opportunity to find out if you are a good candidate and to learn more about the procedure. During a rhinoplasty consultation, Dr. Miller will discuss the patient’s goals, concerns, and health history before creating a custom treatment plan.
Patients might be asked to bring photos of their ideal nose to the consultation, and their nose may be photographed during this first visit for the doctor to refer to while creating the treatment plan and to serve as the “before” image after the procedure. The doctor might also create digital preview images of the expected results to help patients set their expectations.
Because patient safety is our practices’ top priority, the doctor will also discuss each patient’s health history – both medical and surgical – to ensure that they meet the criteria for this low-risk procedure. Any chronic conditions, regular medications, and allergies will be evaluated.
If a patient ultimately requests rhinoplasty surgery instead of a non-surgical procedure, the doctor may write orders for blood work, CT imaging, and a note from the primary care or specialty physician before proceeding.
The best candidates for non-surgical rhinoplasty are healthy men and women looking for minor improvements in the appearance of their nose. Dermal injections can create uniformity in a nose that appears slightly crooked or asymmetrical, has a visible dorsal hump, or prominent divots in the tip of the nose.
How Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty is Performed
Before the procedure begins, patients will be comfortably seated in a treatment room at the Boston Center for Facial Rejuvenation. At the patient’s request, an ice pack can be provided, or a numbing cream applied to ease any potential discomfort.
Dr. Miller will then inject a small amount of hyaluronic acid filler into specific areas of the nose to create the patient’s requested changes. Patients are free to return home following the short appointment and will typically not have any activity restrictions.
Possible Risks of Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty
Every medical procedure, even those performed out of necessity, carries risks. A liquid nose job does not require incisions or sedation, so the risks are generally very low.
Some patients may develop a sensitivity or allergy to the injections, which typically causes irritation to the local tissues. Rarely, patients might not be satisfied with the look of the fillers. However, fillers can usually be dissolved, if need be.
Dr. Miller is the absolute best!!!! Not only is he a brilliant surgeon but his bed side manner is adorable!!! He is so conservative with his adjustments that only you would no that work was done!! I can’t belive how happy I am with my rhinoplasty, thermo tight, temple lift and fillers that i feel like a new woman!!! I couldn’t be happier that I found him!!! All Hail Dr. Miller!!
Other side effects include tenderness at the site of the injections, bruising, and swelling. If an infection develops, this can be problematic due to the blood flow in the mid-face, which is located near critical structures. This is why it is important to have all cosmetic procedures performed by a board-certified doctor.
FAQs About Non-Surgical Nose Jobs in Boston
Patients can expect the results from dermal injections to the nose to remain for approximately 1-2 years. This might be because the nose does not move as much as some features like the lips, which require more frequent maintenance injections. The staying power of injectable fillers in the nose could also be due to the lack of soft tissues in this area.
Rhinoplasty surgery physically alters nasal tissues to create permanent changes to the interior structures. The non-surgical version of the procedure does not require surgery, nasal tissue removal, or sedation. Dermal injections are performed to contour the exterior of the nose only.
Dr. Miller can all provide patients with different numbing options to ensure their comfort during this 10-15 minute procedure. An ice pack or topical numbing solution can be used, though the doctor uses a very fine needle to administer the filler. Most patients do not require any sort of pain management.
Patients will notice positive changes immediately. The filler provides an instant cushion below the skin and over time attracts water molecules to the area. Though there might be minimal swelling or bruising, there is no healing period. Dr. Miller will explain any limitations to patient activities for the best results.
Contact the Boston Center for Facial Rejuvenation in Brookline, MA, through the Contact Us form, or call (617) 735-8735 to schedule a consultation.