Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Articles

Rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as a nose job or, more recently, nose reshaping, is an introduction to cosmetic surgery for a lot of people. Nearly 67,000 procedures were performed on patients in their twenties in 2018, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, which ranks it behind only breast augmentation.

The goal of nose reshaping is pretty straightforward: to sculpt the shape of the nose on the outside for a more aesthetically-pleasing result and inside to improve breathing. And while noses are kind of like snowflakes, the procedure’s basically one-size-fits-all—until recently.

A rapid evolution has unfolded over the last few years. Today, plastic surgeons are able to employ a number of new techniques, dependent upon the patient’s needs and expectations, that help ensure the resulting nose is natural-looking and that it perfectly balances the patient’s face.

What you should know about liquid rhinoplasty

Among the newest of those techniques is a treatment called “liquid rhinoplasty.” You may also have heard it referred to as the “nonsurgical nose job.” Hyaluronic acid filler is injected into the nose to temporarily change its shape. If you’ve come across before-and-after photos online, you know the results can look as transformative as those of an actual rhinoplasty.

But as quick and easy as it may seem in someone’s Instagram Stories, it’s a procedure that should be taken seriously. As with any kind of plastic surgery, seek out a surgeon who’s very experienced with rhinoplasty—and liquid rhinoplasty, ideally. It’s not a procedure that any board-certified plastic surgeon would describe as high-risk, but it’s also not without potential complications.

Those complications are becoming more common as the procedure gains popularity and it’s performed by people who lack the appropriate credentials. By contrast, a reputable plastic surgeon who’s experienced in rhinoplasty will know and respect the anatomy. After all, a proper nose reshaping will improve the entire face.

What to look for in a plastic surgeon

For all the advances, the biggest risk of rhinoplasty remains a disappointing cosmetic outcome—which is why it has the highest revision rate of any plastic surgery procedure. To ensure a smooth procedure and happy result, find the most qualified plastic surgeon to do it.

Precisely restructuring and manipulating the nose while improving breathing issues requires a particular skillset and expertise that takes years to develop.

When you meet with a plastic surgeon for the first time, you’ll inevitably be shown before-and-after photos. But make sure to ask to be shown photos for noses that are similar to your own size and shape. They’ll not only speak to the surgeon’s ability, but they’ll also help guide your own discussion and set your expectations.

In the right hands, nose reshaping can give you the nose you’ve always wanted and enhance your whole face in so many other, unexpected ways.

When you hear the word facelift, your mind probably registers a pretty specific image: An older man or woman whose face and neck skin seems disproportionately tight compared to the skin on their arms or legs.

We have Madonna to thank for that. And Kathy Griffin. And Cher.

But we’ve come a long way since the days of the one-size-fits-all procedure that yielded those sorts of results. The facelift, up until only a few years ago, was a pretty straightforward procedure. A flap of skin on each side of the face was pulled back, the tissue below the skin was altered, and the excess skin was removed.

Clinically, it was a sound remedy for the loss of skin elasticity and decrease in fat deposits that inevitably accompany aging at a certain point. But very few plastic surgeons were capable of many deviations. Skip ahead to today: The traditional facelift is now merely one of many ways to achieve a more youthful-looking face. What’s changed? Read on.

Less is more

For starters, we’re living in what’s been described as the age of the “tweak-ment.” Gone are the days of the exaggerated breast enhancements, overfilled lips, and unrealistic facelifts. Patients, more and more, want to keep their family traits and look like themselves—but with a few refined tweaks.

Ten years ago, a patient was likely to come in for their consultation clutching a magazine cover featuring their favorite supermodel. That’s who they wanted to look like. Now, more are interested in looking like themselves, but the version of themselves that appears through their preferred Instagram filter.

That interest has given rise to more precise variations of a number of cosmetic procedures, including the facelift. There’s the mini-facelift, which targets the earliest signs of aging, and the mid-facelift, which focuses on the cheeks, among other types of facelifts.

Injectables, lasers, and skin resurfacing are also more accessible than they’ve ever been. They can be quick, lunchtime procedures that yield immediate but subtle effects with limited downtime, qualities that contribute to their convenience as well as their confidentiality.

There’s more to it than technique

For all the scientific advances, the expertise of the plastic surgeon remains the greatest factor in producing a result that aligns with what the patient has in mind. Yes, it’s a matter of technique and tools, but to an even greater extent, it’s also about the surgeon’s artistry.

Difficult as a plastic surgeon’s training is, it’s at least something that can be honed with practice. The same can’t really be said for his creativity. If he discovered an ability to express himself through one medium or another early on, he’s as likely to nurture it as anyone. But if he didn’t, he’s just as inclined to abandon it.

A technically-proficient surgeon can correct the concern. But only an artful one will truly enhance the face’s inherent structure and traits.