Liquid rhinoplasty is a non invasive procedure that is done to improve the appearance of the nose without surgery and less downtime. Dr. Bustillo’s extensive experience with surgical rhinoplasty allows him to preform this procedure and achieve excellent results.
Have you heard of the “filler nose job?” If not, it’s time to catch up. Whether you refer to it as a liquid nose job, non-surgical nose job or injectable rhinoplasty, the term refers to a non-surgical technique that utilizes dermal fillers instead of a nasal surgery to reshape the nose, which may sound more appealing to many patients. Though the technique is newer than traditional rhinoplasty, it has been performed for many years now. There are several advantages that make this an alluring alternative, but a non-surgical rhinoplasty also does not offer all the benefits of a surgical nose job. Consulting with a highly qualified surgeon like Miami facial plastic surgeon Dr. Andres Bustillo will help you to determine the best approach for your individual needs.
Dr. Bustillo will examine you in consultation and will determine if you are a good candidate. The ideal candidate’s nose is one with a mild to moderately sized nasal hump. A moderately droopy tip can also be treated. Noses with very large humps or very droopy tips are best treated with surgery. The filler is injected on to the bridge of the nose, mostly on the area above the hump so that the bridge will appear straighter on profile. The tip is then injected to support and raise it.
The procedure takes about 15 minutes to perform and is done in the office. Topical numbing cream is applied to the nose for about 10 minutes. The nose is then cleaned and the injections are applied. The result is immediate and it is rare to have any bruising. Ice compresses are applied after the procedure. The results usually last about 12-16 months.
Benefits of the “No-Knife Nose Job”
There are women and men who want to alter the appearance of their nose, but are cautious of potential complications that can arise, high costs, downtime, and a number of other factors that are associated with traditional rhinoplasty. Dermal fillers offer patients an alternative that is much quicker and does not require any downtime. Injectable fillers can be used to augment the bridge of the nose, correct asymmetry, refine the tip, fill in indentations, and disguise a nasal hump. The procedure may also be used to improve minor defects following a prior nose surgery instead of undergoing revision rhinoplasty.
The results of the non-surgical nose job will be visible right away, unlike surgery which can take up to a year to finally settle into its final shape. No downtime is required, and while there may be some bruising or redness, it will quickly fade and is easily covered with makeup in the meantime. Patients may continue on with their day as usual after the procedure.
Rhinoplasty Before and After Photos
* Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
The Drawbacks to Fillers
Fillers work just as their name implies: they fill. This means that not all patients are candidates. The only real option for change is through augmentation.If a portion of the nose or all of the nose must be reduced in size, fillers are not an option. Furthermore, any significant deformities or nasal obstruction can only be treated with surgery.
Fillers used to modify the appearance of the nose are temporary, lasting from a few months to about a year, depending on the product used. Some patients may prefer a more permanent solution that does not require multiple visits to the surgeon’s office ever year, while others may see the temporary nature of the procedure as a benefit and a way to “try out” potential results before committing to surgery. If that’s the case, it’s important to understand that injecting material into the nose may result in scarring that can make future surgical rhinoplasty more difficult. The reality is that the use of fillers in the nose is fairly new and, thus, little is known about the consequences ten years or more down the road.
Where Rhinoplasty Takes the Lead
Permanent nose reshaping is a benefit only traditional rhinoplasty can offer. While dermal fillers do not take very long to inject, the prospect of returning for touch-ups every few months is not convenient for everyone. Additionally, because the results do fade, the appearance of the nose is not consistent.
The cost of one injectable treatment is indeed less expensive than rhinoplasty surgery, but over time the expense of multiple appointments at which injections are made in the nose will accrue.
The cost of rhinoplasty is not ongoing, unless revision is desired.
Other limitations that non-surgical rhinoplasty has are the inability to narrow the cartilage, reshape the nostrils, or reduce the size of the nose. The procedure will also not be able to improve problems with function. Patients who have these concerns must rely on rhinoplasty, which can effectively address these and other conditions. To truly get to the root of the problem, open or closed rhinoplasty surgery is best, especially when breathing is affected.
To learn about your options for nose reshaping, consult with an experienced and qualified plastic surgeon. Dr. Bustillo is a board certified fellowship trained facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon with extensive experience in rhinoplasty. Call him today at his South Florida practice to schedule a consultation, (305) 663-3380, or view his before and after rhinoplasty photos to see the truly impressive results that can be achieved with surgical rhinoplasty.