Rhinoplasty, or surgery to change the shape of your nose, has been traditionally performed surgically. It can be used to make anatomical changes to improve breathing (i.e. fix a deviated septum) or simply for cosmetic purposes. Trusting even a trained professional with a scalpel blade on your face can be frightening. Enter: nonsurgical rhinoplasty, so you can get your nose job with no knives involved. Here’s a look at how nonsurgical rhinoplasty compares to traditional rhinoplasty, why a nonsurgical nose job might be more appropriate for you, and what the procedure involves.
Surgical vs Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty
A traditional rhinoplasty typically involves altering the cartilage, skin, bone, or all of those things in the nose to fix anatomical issues that may be interfering with breathing or other nasal functions, congenital defects, or permanent damage caused by injuries. Surgical rhinoplasty is likely still the best option for internal defects that need remedied.
Perhaps one of the biggest differences is the healing time. Most rhinoplasties are outpatient procedures, but you’ll have to keep your nose bandaged for up to a week, potentially even with a splint. You may experience bruising for a few weeks, and swelling for up to a year! Nonsurgical nose jobs can yield positive results in minutes, with none of the long-term embarrassments.
Why Opt for a Nonsurgical Nose Job?
Nonsurgical nose jobs may also be referred to as “injection rhinoplasty” because fillers are injected into the nose to change the shape. The procedure is sometimes even called a fifteen minute nose job, because it is a quick, efficient, permanent nose job. Not everyone is a good candidate for nonsurgical nose jobs: it cannot change the inside of your nose and it cannot make your nose smaller. Some doctors even provide a Kotler Saline Demo, injecting the area with saline for a preview of what their nose will look like after using the filler necessary for the noninvasive procedure.
Perhaps one of the nicest aspects of injection rhinoplasty is the discretion with which it can be performed. Men in particular tend to shy away from surgical rhinoplasty because it doesn’t seem very “manly.” However, with nonsurgical rhinoplasty, it’s possible for a man to get a nose job without anyone really realizing what happened. Injection rhinoplasty is most effective on the following issues:
- Dips, divots and depressions on the outside of the nose
- Concealing nasal humps or bumps
- Twisted, crooked or asymmetrical noses
- People who are considering a first surgical nose job
- Those ready for revision rhinoplasty to repair a failed surgical nose job
- Nose tip refinement or lifting
- Bridge augmentation
- Broken nose imperfections
- Asymmetrical nostrils
How Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty Works
Some doctors do use temporary fillers, but others use permanent fillers, allowing a longer lasting end product. One form of filler used is Silikon 1000, a chemical that doesn’t change on its own, interact with the body, or eventually become eaten up by its surroundings. Although techniques and chemicals differ, the general idea is that a miniscule gauged needle is inserted into “problem areas” in the nose where it releases tiny droplets of the filler. Generally, the procedure works best when performed over several different visits, as this allows for greater precision.
Perhaps one of the best things about nonsurgical rhinoplasty is that there is no tape, splints, bruising or year of swelling. Many doctors recommend coming in during your lunch hour, assuring you you’ll be able to return to your regularly scheduled day without anyone noticing anything but positive results. Note: This is not to say that every nose job goes perfectly. Not every doctor is as a talented or practiced as another, and you may wind up with results that were not at all what you were hoping for.
