A liquid nose job is an increasingly popular trend in facial plastic surgery. Instead of the invasive approach of traditional surgery, the surgeon injects muscle relaxers and/or dermal fillers to fill out or modify the nose. This injectable rhinoplasty alternative can be an affordable option for many seeking an altered nose profile or nose tip, but it lacks the capabilities of surgical rhinoplasty.
Today, we take a look at the abilities and limitations of liquid nose jobs to help you determine whether they can meet your needs, or if surgery is the better choice for you.
What Makes a Liquid Nose Job a Great Option
Even though the capabilities of a liquid nose job are more limited and are strictly cosmetic, they are still a great option for many people. Understanding what they can accomplish and how that aligns with your goals is essential to determine if this approach is right for you.
Let’s take a look at what makes a liquid nose job shine.
Non-Surgical
Not going under the knife means you can’t make as significant alterations, but it comes with some notable benefits. For one, it removes the element of risk that comes with any surgical procedure. This is especially true for older patients with concerns over anesthesia-related complications.
As well, the process is faster and easier, with much shorter recovery time. This minimizes discomfort and lets you see results sooner.
Modify the Nose Tip
Liquid nose jobs excel at making those minor adjustments that make a big overall improvement. The most common uses are in modifying the nose tips and nostrils, as well as adjusting bridge height. This can have a dramatic improvement in appearance, or even make glasses fit more comfortably.
Straighten the Nose
Injecting fillers won’t actually straighten the structure of your nose, but it can make it appear straight. If there are no concerns of blockages or discomfort with the underlying structure, this alteration can be enough to satisfy your aesthetic goals.
Fix Dorsal Hump
From a side-profile view, a dorsal hump looks like a bump on your nose. Depending on the size and shape of the hump, a liquid nose job can be a solution. The injectables fill out the area around the bump, minimizing its appearance.
A larger hump may be harder to disguise with non-surgical rhinoplasty, as you have to add too much volume to hide it effectively.
Limitations of Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty
As we can see with fixing dorsal humps, non-surgical rhinoplasty has its limitations. Before going down the liquid nose job path, its important to understand what these are.
Temporary Solution
By their nature, liquid nose jobs aren’t a permanent solution. Using dermal fillers and muscle relaxers means this nose job will fade with time. Depending on what is used, you may need to top off in as little as 6-12 months.
Fixing Internal Issues
Non-surgical rhinoplasty is limited to cosmetic alterations. Any structural or internal changes, such as resolving an obstructed sinus, requires surgery. Injections cannot clear a blockage, straighten a nasal passage, or otherwise improve breathing.
Make a Nose Smaller
Even with cosmetic changes, liquid rhinoplasty can’t solve everything. One such drawback is that they cannot make noses smaller. An injectable nose job can only add volume, not take away.
Fixing a bulbous nose, for instance, requires surgery to refine and reshape the nose.
Discover the Right Rhinoplasty Option for You
If you’re deciding between liquid and surgical rhinoplasty, the smart approach is to consult a highly-qualified and experienced facial plastic surgeon.
Dr. Rival is an Otolaryngologist who specializes in Facial Plastic Surgery, which an emphasis on rhinoplasty. To request a rhinoplasty consultation at one of Dr. Rival’s three Toronto-area offices, reach out to us today.