Until only recently, rhinoplasty was the only means to make a nose smaller, straighter, or smoother. The surgery’s effective and the results, permanent, but it requires anesthesia and considerable healing time because of the bruising and swelling.
With the rise of injectable fillers, a second option emerged a few years ago: the nonsurgical nose job. It’s an off-label use for fillers that’s capable of transforming your entire profile in under 15 minutes. Using the same hyaluronic acid gels used for lips and cheeks, a board-certified plastic surgeon can correct the nose’s contour and even make it appear smaller.
Sounds almost too good to be true, right? It’s not. But it’s still important to know exactly what you’re asking for. So, to help with that, here’s a primer that covers all the essential details about the procedure.
Who’s a good candidate?
It’s someone who has a pronounced bump on their nose. By filling the area around the bump, the plastic surgeon can create the illusion of a perfectly straight nose. Filler can also lift up a droopy tip and correct a slightly crooked nose.
A plastic surgeon can also make it appear smaller, even though they’re actually adding volume to the nose. And that’s because they’re creating symmetry. (The human face is naturally asymmetrical, or imbalanced, though it’s more noticeable in some.)
How long does it last?
It depends on the cosmetic filler that’s used. Often, plastic surgeons will start a patient off with a temporary filler, such as Voluma, which is natural-looking and lasts for up to a year-and-a-half. If they’re happy with the results, they’ll move on to a permanent filler, like Bellafill, once the temporary one dissolves.
The Voluma requires one 15-minute session, while the Bellafill, a collagen-based injectable that’s typically used to treat acne scars, takes three separate sessions, though the final result will last for years. Another important distinction: The temporary fillers, because they’re made from hyaluronic acid, can be dissolved if you don’t like the result. The Bellafill cannot.
Why is an experienced surgeon important?
All injections come with some amount of risk for swelling, bruising, and bleeding. But the nose is an especially delicate area of the face because its blood supply is quite weak. Put too much filler into the tip or a nostril and it can cut off the blood supply.
Important as it is to be aware of such complications, take it with a grain of salt because they’re rare—as long as the procedure is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in facial fillers, and nonsurgical nose jobs in particular. This isn’t a procedure you want to shop around for the deepest discount.
In the right hands, the nonsurgical nose job is nearly painless. (Some topical cream to numb the area and ice afterward helps.) It’s a true “lunchtime procedure.” You may be a little red or bruised for a few days, but even that can be helped with a laser treatment.