Is it possible to have a nose job without surgery?

Nose jobs are becoming increasingly popular but many people are understandably nervous about having such a delicate part of the body operated on. If this applies to you, don’t worry – there’s another way to have a nose job, one that doesn’t involve surgery. Rhinoplasty expert Ms Lydia Badia is here to fill us in on how a non-surgical nose job works.

What is a non-surgical nose job and how is one possible?

A non-surgical nose job aims at improving the external appearance of the nose by using injectables. It is also called non-surgical rhinoplasty or liquid rhinoplasty.

The injectables are dermal fillers  and/or botulinum toxin which temporarily help to get a more balanced look.

Injecting different areas of the nose creates an illusion of better contouring. It is not dissimilar to contouring with make-up. We aim at improving the light reflex and shadow lines of the nose so that it looks straighter, finer and more defined.

Are there different types of filler? Do they offer different results?

The commonest dermal filler used is hyaluronic acid. There are many brands, including Restylane,Perfectha, Juvaderm, and Belotero. The brand is not as important as the thickness and softness of the product. Within the nose, hyaluronic acid tends to last six to nine months.

Other types of temporary fillers include Polycaprolactone (Ellanse) and Calcium Hydroxyapatite (Radiesse). These work by stimulating the body’s own collagen to form and provide the beneficial effect.

I would not recommend permanent fillers or non-resorbable fillers in the nose.

What type of candidate do you recommend a non-surgical nose job for?

A common request is to reduce the bump in the nose and raise the tip. This is done by adding volume above and below the bump to create a straighter-looking profile. Filler on the tip of the nose creates a better projection. A small amount of muscle relaxant can also stop the flare of the nostrils and the downturn of the nasal tip.

Many patients ask if you can have a non-surgical nose job if you’re planning to have a surgical nose job later on in life. The answer is that you can and it is safe to do so.

The main situation where we would advise against a non-surgical nose job is if one has an overall “big nose”, as a non-surgical nose job tends to add some volume.

What is the recovery like?

The results are immediate and there is no downtime.

Are there any risks associated with a non-surgical nose job?

The nose is an extremely vascular part of the body. There have been reports of fillers occluding blood vessels and the tissues not having enough blood supply. There have also been reports of infection.

It is essential that non-surgical nose jobs are performed by specialist nose surgeons. Rhinoplasty surgeons understand the anatomy of the nose and what creates a beautiful proportion with the rest of the face. More importantly, should there be a complication a rhinoplasty surgeon specialist can take care of it.