Non-surgical Rhinoplasty
Non-surgical rhinoplasty refers to alterations to the nose performed without surgical intervention. This usually involves the use of skin fillers to increase the volume of certain parts of the nose. Fillers can also help camouflage certain imperfections or irregularities by adding volume to the nose. Removing excessive tissue, such as a prominent hump on the nose or a large tip, however, is usually not possible without surgical intervention.
Skin fillers are used for a variety of cosmetic applications in the facial region. These include the lips, the nasolabial folds (the folds between the corners of the mouth and the nose), the tear troughs (the grooves, or “circles” under the eyes), the cheeks, and more recently, the nose. There are a variety of different fillers available on the market, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Whichever filler is used, it is important that an experienced doctor perform the injection.
The primary limitation of this technique, as mentioned above, is that volume can only be added, not removed. Therefore, not every patient is a candidate. The most important consideration to be discussed with your doctor is whether your particular nasal anatomy can be significantly improved using non-surgical techniques, or if surgery would be the preferred option for you. A surgeon experienced in correcting nasal deformities and imperfections will have the ability to analyze your nose and advise on the best option.
A common use of skin fillers in the nose is for patients who have undergone rhinoplasty surgery and wish to have a touch-up or a more significant change without undergoing an additional surgery. For such patients, non-surgical rhinoplasty is an excellent alternative. It is used to camouflage imperfections or add volume to areas where tissue was excessively removed. The experienced surgeon with an appreciation for the esthetic of the nose (see the nasal esthetic) will adopt a conservative approach in his injection technique to avoid over-correction. Sometimes an initial application of fillers is followed by a touch-up session one to two weeks later to optimize the result.
Fillers used for non-surgical rhinoplasty are most often non-permanent, though permanent products can be used in specific cases. An advantage of using non-permanent fillers is to provide the patient with an idea of the result without committing to it permanently. In the event the patient is not entirely satisfied with the result, the injections are simply not repeated. The filler disappears within a few months and the nose regains its original shape. Frequently, the patient is pleased with the result and wishes to maintain it permanently. Repeated injections (about once yearly) of non-permanent fillers are then used. In certain specific situation, a permanent filler can be used. For more on the use of fillers in the facial region, click here.
If you have further questions about non-surgical rhinoplasty please contact our office to set up a consultation.