When people think of rhinoplasty, they tend to think that the only option available is major surgery. This has kept a lot of people from having their noses reshaped in order to give them a look that they feel more comfortable with; avoiding the typical 8 weeks of downtime associated with standard surgical rhinoplasties.
But now there’s an exciting new alternative: non-surgical rhinoplasty (also known as liquid rhinoplasty or nonsurgical nose job) which can be completed in less time at a relatively low cost.
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What is a Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty?
Nonsurgical nose job is a minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure that can reshape, lift, or augment your nose without the need for surgery. It’s performed in the office quickly and efficiently with minimal recovery time.
The procedure uses injectable fillers such as Juvéderm and Restylane (hence the name Liquid Rhinoplasty) to add volume where it’s needed and reduce nasal bumps or depressions without changing the underlying structure of the nose. Results from this type of non-invasive rhinoplasty are immediate and last up to 12 months. The doctor will be able to balance proportions to create an aesthetically pleasing nose shape and size.
Non-surgical rhinoplasty is generally safe, but remember to ask your doctor about any risks involved before getting it done.
What Happens During a Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty Procedure?
Nonsurgical rhinoplasty is a technique for reshaping a person’s nose without resorting to the use of scalpels. The injection-based treatment involves using dermal filler, such as hyaluronic acid, to give an individual more control over her nose and its shape.
How does it work? During the procedure, the doctor injects small amounts of dermal filler into different parts of the nose in order to alter its shape, while simultaneously manipulating it into the desired form. Depending on the patient’s preference and needs, additional treatments may be necessary after the first session. During each successive session, more filler can be added or removed until a satisfactory result is achieved.
The procedure typically takes around 30 minutes but could take up to two hours depending on how much correction is needed or desired. After the injections, patients often experience some swelling or bruising for several days after the injections but can expect their new look within a few weeks.
Are There Pros and Cons to Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty?
The Pros
Nonsurgical rhinoplasty is an excellent way to achieve subtle enhancements to the shape and size of your nose without the need for surgery. It can help people who want a minor change in appearance, such as improving a bulbous or hooked nose or addressing asymmetrical nostrils.
The most obvious pro of non-surgical rhinoplasty is that you don’t have to go under the knife! That means no hospital visit—just a short office visit where you’ll have fillers injected into your nose.
No Anesthesia
One of the pros of nonsurgical rhinoplasty is that anesthesia is not required. A nonsurgical rhinoplasty refers to a procedure where fillers are used to shape and contour the nose without incisions, while a traditional rhinoplasty involves surgically making small incisions and reshaping the underlying structure of the nose. With non-surgical rhinoplasty, no anesthetic or sedative medications are needed since there are no open incisions involved.
This is viewed as an advantage because it minimizes risks such as general anesthesia complications, for example, airway obstruction due to muscle relaxation or decreased gag reflex due to medication-induced sleepiness. It also reduces costs since anesthesia fees can add up quickly for complex surgical procedures. Patients who undergo a non-surgical rhinoplasty often find that one of its advantages is being able to immediately resume normal activity (since drugs are not involved) without any post-operative downtime from anesthesia side effects such as nausea and vomiting.
No Downtime
One of the biggest pros to a nonsurgical rhinoplasty is that there is no downtime required. Unlike traditional rhinoplasty which requires up to 10 days of recovery time, non-surgical rhinoplasty can be done in as little as an hour. Patients are able to return home immediately and resume their daily activities without having to take any time off from work or other activities.
This means you don’t have to worry about taking time away from work or other responsibilities while you recover and heal. You can get your rhinoplasty performed on your lunch break or after work and be ready to go back right away – no need for bed rest! The procedure is also reversible, so if for some reason you change your mind about it afterward, the effects will quickly dissipate.
Reversibility
One major pro of nonsurgical rhinoplasty is its reversibility. Unlike traditional rhinoplasty surgeries, which are permanent, the effects of a non-surgical rhinoplasty can be reversed easily if you choose to do so. This is extremely beneficial since you can try twenty different looks without having to worry about making permanent changes that you may regret.
This also offers more control to those who want to gradually adjust their look over time without jumping into an irreversible surgery. Since the effects are not permanent, you can switch your look back and forth multiple times if you’d like before committing to any particular style. This allows for greater flexibility and provides the user with more freedom in terms of what they want their nose to look like.
Affordability
The biggest pro of no-surgical rhinoplasty is its affordability. Compared to surgical rhinoplasty, non-surgical procedures are much more affordable and require little to no downtime or complications. Unlike traditional surgery, the procedure goes by quickly and the doctor injects small amounts of the filler material instead of making radical cuts and reshaping your nose. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about taking time away from work or having a heavy recovery process.
Another great perk about non-surgical rhinoplasty is that it offers results that look natural and don’t interfere with your facial anatomy. Traditional surgery can often leave patients with an unnatural-looking nose that can be difficult to change back once it’s done. Non-surgical treatments, on the other hand, produce subtle results that keep the integrity of your face intact while still giving you a better-fitted nose shape.
Instant and Natural-Looking Results
One of the benefits of nonsurgical rhinoplasty is that it yields instant and natural-looking results. Compared to other types of cosmetic procedures, you can expect to see results almost immediately – without having to undergo surgery or wait weeks for things to heal. The benefit of a non-surgical procedure is that you don’t have to worry about scars, which is common with surgical rhinoplasty.
The pain associated with the injection process used for non-surgical rhinoplasties is minimal, so most people find it extremely comfortable and tolerable. In addition, the risks involved are reduced significantly when compared to surgical procedures as a traditional nose job involves asking someone’s face surgically cut open! So if you’re looking for quick results that won’t leave permanent marks on your face, this might be the ideal solution for you!
The Cons
One of the biggest cons of a Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty is that it’s not permanent. While the results can last up to several years, eventually you will need to re-apply your filler material in order for your desired effects to continue.
Also, this type of procedure carries possible side effects such as swelling, fever, and pain in the area where the filler was placed. Infection and itching are also a possibility after a non-surgical rhinoplasty.
In addition, big changes may not be able to be achieved with this type of procedure, since the material is gradually absorbed by the body over time. If more dramatic effects are desired, then surgical rhinoplasty may still be the better option.
Limited Scope
A non-surgical rhinoplasty is a great option for those who don’t want or need invasive surgery. However, it does have its limitations. Non-surgical nose reshaping is best for subtle changes. It’s not suitable for more extensive corrections, where the underlying structure of the nose needs to be modified.
It’s also important to keep in mind that non-surgical rhinoplasty results can be unpredictable as this technique relies on materials that are injected into your skin to produce changes. Also bear in mind that over time, these effects can fade away faster than if you’d had the surgery, and the results may not be permanent.