Non-Surgical Nose Job: Does It Work?

Since a person's nose sits right in the middle of their face, it is arguably one of the most prominent facial features, and can have a significant impact on one's overall appearance.

A surgical nose job—rhinoplasty—has been seen as the only means of changing the appearance of your nose. While rhinoplasty can certainly transform your face, there are risks associated with the procedure as well as a considerable recovery period.

If you do a quick internet search, you'll find all sorts of creams or 'medical devices' that claim to adjust your nasal shape; if you were enticed by any of those claims, we're sorry to break the news to you: they don't work.

At best, they're completely ineffective, which means you've thrown your money away. At worst, they can actually damage your delicate nasal bones & cartilage, in fact making your issues worse.

In 2004, a California doctor pioneered a viable non-surgical alternative to rhinoplasty.

This non-surgical nose job—or injection rhinoplasty—can, in some cases, resolve the appearance of a crooked nose, a bump on the nose, or a drooping nose tip.

Nose "fillers" are a viable option for many people, yet it is important to beware of claims that your entire nasal shape can be adjusted using non-surgical rhinoplasty.

While the procedure is quick and relatively painless, it is of paramount importance that your cosmetic surgeon has experience with the procedure.

Injection Rhinoplasty Procedure

The non-surgical nose job typically takes from fifteen to thirty minutes to perform. The top of your nose will be numbed with a topical cream, then a filler such as Voluma or Radiesse will be injected in the appropriate areas, filling out depressions, smoothing sharp angles or changing the angle of the nose tip.

The goal of a non-surgical nose job is to restore symmetry to your nose, making it appear straighter and more attractive. Some cosmetic surgeons believe that when you make the nose appear straighter, it "blends" in with the rest of the face more naturally.

Different Fillers Used in Non-Surgical Nose Jobs

One of the fillers used, Radiesse, is comprised of calcium and cellulose, and has been used for years with few adverse effects or allergic reactions.

Restylane has also been used with success, with an expected life of about six to eight months.

Voluma, a hyaluronic acid filler, has been shown to last two years, requires no allergy testing, and is reversible for patients unhappy with the final results.

Some doctors use Bellafill, which is manufactured using bovine collagen gel and PMMA microspheres—a non-reactive plastic used in surgical implants.

Bellafill does require allergic testing, although reactions are rare, and is injected into the nose gradually, over three to five sessions, spaced about six weeks apart. As time passes, the collagen component is replaced by the body's own tissues, making a Bellafill non-surgical nose job almost equal to a surgical rhinoplasty.

The Pros and Cons of a Non-Surgical Nose Job

When done by a highly trained cosmetic surgeon, these types of temporary fillers will not migrate to other areas, or create lumps in the nose. When the fillers dissolve, they typically do so fairly evenly and symmetrically.

It is important to recognize that the non-surgical nose job can change the shape of nostrils, build up nasal bridges, and smooth bumps on the nose, but is not an option for those who want to correct a large nose or a dorsal bump.

Further, Michigan-based plastic surgeon, Dr. Anthony Youn, notes he hesitates to perform non-surgical nose jobs due to the fact that the nose typically has a higher risk of filler injection complications than do other areas of the face.

One potential complication can occur when the filler is accidentally injected into a blood vessel in the nose, cutting off the blood supply to the nose. If such a complication is not reversed, disfigurement could occur.

Such a complication is extremely rare, and the best way to prevent such a complication is to ensure only an extremely experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon injects fillers into your nose.

One top New York City plastic surgeon, Dr. William B. Rosenblatt, says the impermanence of the non-surgical nose job is both the best—and the worst—thing about the procedure.

Citing over-injection as a potential complication, conversely the advantage is that if the nose is not all the patient hoped for, it will only last 6-12 months, except in the case of the filler which last up to two years.

Rosenblatt also points out that maintaining your new non-surgical nose can be expensive, costing anywhere from $600-$1,000 per filler.

Contact Pasadena Plastic Surgery Specialists

There is a reason why so many Pasadena men and women continue to choose Dr. Kevin Ruhge to perform their plastic surgeries.

His personalized approach to plastic surgery means that his clients can contact him 24/7 after a surgical procedure.

If you would like to learn more about fillers, skin rejuvenation, breast augmentation, or any plastic surgery procedure, we invite you to meet with Dr. Ruhge for a private consultation at our office in Pasadena by calling 626.397.9095, or by scheduling an appointment online.