Rhinoplasty is one of the most sought-after plastic surgery procedures for patients of all ages, genders and ethnicities. There are very good reasons for its popularity. The nose is one of the most prominent physical features on the face, and it also plays a significant role in defining the overall facial aesthetic. Nose reshaping surgery can dramatically improve the shape, size and symmetry of the nose, as well as the balance and harmony of the entire face. However, not everyone is interested in or is a candidate for surgical correction.
Non-surgical rhinoplasty offers an alternative, also called the “15-minute nose job” or liquid rhinoplasty. This minimally invasive approach can improve the appearance of your nose and overall facial symmetry in less than thirty minutes, by using injectable dermal fillers.
To find out if you’re a good candidate for non-surgical rhinoplasty, visit Dr. Hooman Khorasani at our New York City practice. To request a consultation, text message us securely, or contact our Manhattan office by phone at 212-230-3378.
Dermal fillers are commonly used to diminish facial lines, reshape the lips and restore volume to the cheeks or temples. The same products can also be used off-label to reshape the nose. Rather than sculpting the underlying nasal structures with a scalpel, Dr. Khorasani strategically injects dermal fillers to enhance the shape and proportions of the nose. Non-surgical rhinoplasty can be performed in minutes, requires no downtime and is relatively painless. Although the results are temporary, they are immediate, and can make a significant difference in your appearance and confidence.
Artistic use of dermal fillers can subtly or substantially correct some of the most common nose concerns:
Depending on your goals, Dr. Khorasani offers several different types of dermal fillers that can be used to shape your nose.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: Hyaluronic acid fillers are among the most popular cosmetic injectables used today. Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar found in your body, making these products quite safe and well-tolerated. When injected, hyaluronic acid adds volume to the targeted area. The effect lasts until the product is absorbed by the body. Restylane® Lyft lasts up to a year, while results from Juvéderm Voluma® XC can last up to two years. What’s great about hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers is that they can be dissolved by injecting the enzyme hyaluronidase. This means that if you don’t like the result, it can be dissolved in minutes.
Collagen-Stimulating Fillers: Bellafill® is a filler that contains bovine collagen and microspheres made from a surgical-grade plastic (polymethylmethacrylate or PMMA). After your injections, Bellafill plumps the area immediately, while also stimulating the body’s production of collagen for improvements that can last up to five years. Bellafill is considered semi-permanent, and unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, it is not reversible. First-time patients must have a skin test to be sure they are not allergic to the collagen component before proceeding with treatment. Dr. Khorasani recommends that you try a non-permanent filler first, and once the desired outcome has been established, graduate to a semi-permanent filler such as Bellafill.
Before your non-surgical rhinoplasty, you will have an in-office consultation. Dr. Khorasani will evaluate your nose and face to determine what improvements can be achieved. It takes a highly educated, yet artistic eye to understand how the facial features affect each other and should work in harmony to enhance the face. Once Dr. Khorasani understands your concerns and goals, and has confirmed that dermal fillers can help, we take photos for your medical records so you will be able to before and after images.
Next, a topical numbing cream is applied and left on for about 30 minutes. Dr. Khorasani then uses a cannula (not a needle) to reshape your nose with a dermal filler. The entire procedure takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Because there are no negative effects of general anesthesia or sedation to recover from, you can return to your normal routine the same day.
Even a minimally invasive procedure can lead to bruising, swelling or redness. In the case of non-surgical rhinoplasty, these effects are typically mild and should resolve within two weeks. Most patients can resume their regular activities directly after treatment. Dr. Khorasani suggests that you avoid drinking alcohol the night before and the night of your appointment in order to reduce your chances of bruising. Patients are also advised to temporarily cease the use of medications known to thin the blood, avoid exercising or participating in strenuous activities the same day, and keep the head elevated while sleeping to reduce swelling. Non-surgical rhinoplasty requires extensive knowledge of the vascular anatomy of the nose. When treated by inexperienced hands, you are at a much greater risk of undesired side effects such as vascular obstruction and/or necrosis of the skin. Rest assured, this procedure is very safe and well tolerated when performed by an experienced, board certified surgeon.
The results of a non-surgical rhinoplasty are immediate. As soon as dermal fillers are injected into the skin, Dr. Khorasani can gently sculpt them to smooth bumps, fill depressions, correct asymmetries and improve other irregularities. The longevity of your results will depend on which filler is used and how quickly your body metabolizes the product. Restylane and Juvéderm last one to two years, respectively, and Bellafill can last up to five years. Regardless of which filler is chosen, treatment will likely need to be regularly repeated to maintain your results long-term.
Non-surgical rhinoplasty is quite effective, but it can’t achieve all the results that are possible through surgical rhinoplasty. For example, it can’t repair a deviated septum, alleviate breathing issues or reduce the physical size of your nose. Patients who are looking for dramatic changes or internal correction may find that non-surgical rhinoplasty is not able to meet their needs. Surgical rhinoplasty involves anesthesia, incisions, downtime and a greater initial financial investment, but its results are permanent- for better or worse. For some patients, a permanent procedure is preferable. For others, a temporary but minimally invasive treatment is more appealing. Non-surgical rhinoplasty can also be an excellent way to envision the outcome of traditional rhinoplasty before committing to surgery.
Although this is a non-surgical procedure, there are considerations that must be taken into account before choosing filler injections. Dermal fillers should not be used in patients with a known sensitivity to any of the product’s ingredients, or in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The best candidates for this procedure are seeking correction for mild to moderate cosmetic concerns; more advanced concerns and functional issues are better addressed with surgery. An in-person consultation is required to determine your candidacy.
Dr. Hooman Khorasani is quadruple board-certified in Dermatology, Cosmetic Surgery, Facial Cosmetic Surgery and Mohs micrographic surgery. Additionally he led led the Division of Dermatologic and Cosmetic Surgery at Mount Sinai for over ten years. His dedication to clinical excellence and constant innovation has led to numerous accolades, publications in premier medical journals, and authorship of a widely-used cosmetic surgery manual. He is considered an international expert in skin rejuvenation and has spent a majority of his career training the next generation of dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons.
Armed with this advanced clinical and academic competency, Dr. Khorasani carefully crafts a nose reshaping plan that is individually tailored and comprehensively addresses your needs. Personalization is infused into every aspect of our practice, from the treatment itself to our highly-skilled office personnel that are available 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns. Together as a team, we can erase deep wrinkles and fine lines so that your skin looks as young as you feel!
Dr. Khorasani and his highly-specialized team look forward to working with you to transform your medical or aesthetic goals into reality. To expedite a request for a consultation, message us securely, or contact Dr. Khorasani’s Manhattan office by phone at 212-230-3378. For more information about how to get in touch:
CONTACT US