“But for many cases, a non-surgical nose job can actually be as good and sometimes even better than surgical solution,” says cosmetic doctor Dr Antoni Calmon, “especially when the objective is to make the nose straighter, or even make the nose look smaller and more in harmony with the face.”
He cites bumps, deviation, asymmetry, a plunging tip and prominent nostrils as just a few concerns that a liquid nose job can fix. “The bump vanishes, the sharp edges of a ridge are smoothed and a drooping tip is raised,” Dr Calmon notes. “When it comes to making the nose look narrower, an injection of corticoid can help to thin the tip.”
Mr Sadideen concurs, adding, “The nose is a 3D complex structure composed of skin, soft tissue, cartilage and bone. Much of what you see is to do with the shadows. Some contours are more prominent in certain lighting or angles, and a non-surgical treatment is a great way to soften this.”
How long does the procedure take?
A big draw for non-surgical rhinoplasty is the speed. “The procedure takes around 10 minutes to perform, with minimal pain and no real downtime; patients can go straight back to work with little tell-tale signs other than a very small chance of a tiny bruise or a little swelling,” says Mr Sadideen.
What happens during non-surgical rhinoplasty?
Dr Calmon describes a liquid nose job as a “surprisingly simple” procedure. “Your practitioner will sterilise your nose and the area around it with an antiseptic liquid before applying a small amount of anaesthetic to numb the skin,” he says, adding that the sharp scratch from the injection is considered by many to be the most painful part of the whole procedure. “Small amounts of filler are then gradually injected into the precise contours of your nose, which allows the practitioner to step back and ensure the shape is uniform. The filler is then massaged and moulded gently to ensure it’s smooth and even.”
How quickly will I see results?
According to Dr Sadideen, results are visible immediately after the treatment and will be fully evident in two to three weeks. “This allows any minor swelling to settle,” he says.
How long does recovery take?
Possible side effects include bruising and slight swelling. “But these are fleeting,” says Dr Calmon. “They will only last for few days at most and can easily be camouflaged with a few touches of makeup.”
How long will the results last?
The main way a liquid nose job differs from surgical rhinoplasty is that it isn’t permanent. “Non-surgical rhinoplasties last between nine to 18 months depending on the nasal anatomy and skin thickness,” Mr Sadideen notes. “Thinner skin requires a thinner viscosity dermal filler and will initially likely last for a shorter period of time, whereas thicker skin can tolerate a thicker filler with results lasting from 12-18 months.”
Interestingly, liquid nose jobs don’t need to be immediately repeated. “There is often good retention in shape, which means some patients return for their top-up at 2 years, and have required less filler at this stage,” he says. “Two to three treatments may be required to build up gradually and achieve the optimum results, especially in cases where thinner filler is used.”
What is the benefit of a liquid nose job over a surgical nose job?
Both surgical and non-surgical procedures can improve symmetry, reduce bumps and reshape the tip, however non-surgical procedures are more limited within the confines of your existing shape. They can reduce the appearance of bumps, but they can’t remove them or reduce the size of your nose altogether.