The nose is the central feature of the face and changing its size or shape can truly transform a person’s appearance, enhancing facial harmony and self-confidence.
Rhinoplasty is traditionally surgery to reduce or increase the size of the nose, change the shape of the tip or bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils and width of the nose or change the angle between the nose and upper lip, as well as improve breathing function.
A relatively recent breakthrough in the cosmetic industry is non-surgical rhinoplasty, ideal for those patients whose nose doesn’t require significant remodelling. Irregularities can be corrected using dermal fillers (either temporary or long-lasting), which allows patients to change their appearance without having to undergo surgical rhinoplasty. For example, a hump on the nose can essentially be ‘removed’ by having tiny amounts of filler injected above and below, so the nose appears straight.
For people who have realistic expectations of what can be achieved without surgery, non-surgical rhinoplasty using cosmetic injectables can offer an effective option in achieving a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing result.
What does the procedure involve?
Non-surgical rhinoplasty is quick, with no anaesthetic required and there is minimal pain involved. It is performed in the doctor’s rooms, the result is instant and there is no downtime.
Most fillers will leave a residual redness and slight tenderness for up to a few days and patients can expect slight swelling and bruising. The results are immediately evident and can last years, depending on the filler used and the individual patient response.
Fillers available are both temporary and more permanent. By trying a temporary filler first, the patient can be comfortable with the proposed outcome before committing to a long-lasting treatment.
Who is a good candidate?
Candidates for this procedure are typically those with minor external nasal deformities, depressions, asymmetries or who have a collapsed nasal bridge or saddle nose. It can also be effective for post-surgical rhinoplasty corrections, where the result has been less than satisfactory.
Other applications for non-surgical rhinoplasty are bridge augmentation, correction of a hump on the dorsum of the nose, making the nose rounder if the bridge is squarish or beaky in shape, and rounding and shaping of the nasal tip. The tip of a drooping nose can also be lifted by 1 or 2mm by injecting the filler at the base of the nose, so that it forces the tip upwards.
For many patients, including Asians, non-surgical rhinoplasty can offer an effective alternative to surgery, often giving outstanding results in suitable patients.
It’s important to note that non-surgical rhinoplasty cannot correct impaired breathing caused by structural abnormalities.
And the results?
Unlike other areas of the face, repeat treatments are often not required as there is less movement in this area. However in some cases, a top-up treatment may be required after a few years.
For suitable candidates without extensive remodelling requirements, non-surgical rhinoplasty offers an effective alternative to traditional rhinoplasty. CBM
