What Is Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty

One of the cosmetic industry’s hottest trends is the non-surgical rhinoplasty. Simply put, non-surgical rhinoplasty is using fillers to alter the contours of the nose. One can think of the nasal appearance as made up of various contours. Traditionally, altering the contours of one’s nose requires a rhinoplasty—surgery to physically change the appearance. This may require removing structures, shaping structures, or adding grafts to change contours.

Rhinoplasty is still the only definitive way to change one’s nasal appearance. But it is a complex surgery and obviously comes with inherent risks, as well as a not insignificant recovery time before one sees the final results. One dominant trend in cosmetic industry is the development of non-surgical or minimally invasive techniques to address various deformities. These techniques can be done in the clinic, carry minimal down time in recovery, and are more attractive options for more people. The latest target for minimally invasive options is the rhinoplasty. Synthetic fillers are now being used to some nasal deformities without surgery.

For certain nasal deformities that are recognized by the absence of a certain convexity or fullness, injectable fillers have become fairly popular. Off-the-shelf fillers have made the process much easier. Surgeons now are able to inject a localized volume of the substance into the nose with a needle. Unlike injecting Botox—which carries almost no risk, nonsurgical rhinoplasty is not foolproof or without hazard. The injector must be experienced in the complex anatomy of the nose and possess correct skills to inject the product accurately. Fillers can’t achieve everything surgery can produce, but certain deformities can be addressed with fillers. The most common area that can be treated with nonsurgical rhinoplasty is the low dorsum. Patients who are unhappy with the height of their nasal dorsum now can get their nose augmented using fillers. For example, many Asian and African –American patients have low nasal dorsums. Historically, one needed a rhinoplasty to insert implants or cartilage grafts. Patients then usually take a fair amount of time off from work or school to recover. A non-surgical rhinoplasty now offers the option to change one’s nasal appearance without that drawback. The nonsurgical rhinoplasty is a simple, in-office procedure with no downtime. Hyaluronic acid fillers are most commonly used because they are soft, they can last close to two years in the nose, and are reversible if need be.

Still, there are some downsides to a nonsurgical rhinoplasty. It’s not a great way to achieve definition to the tip of the nose, and won’t address functional issues such as nasal obstruction. Furthermore, another disadvantage is the result is not permanent—assuming one is using the most popular fillers on the market. But results can last up to two years, so this disadvantage may not be so significant for some patients. I would caution anyone from considering injecting a permanent filler like silicone.
There are also risks of compromising blood supply to the nose, as well as possible swelling, bruising and infection. However, the same can be said about filler injections to any area of the face. These risks are significantly minimized when the procedure is performed by a specialist who is familiar with the anatomy of the nose. The injector should also know what to do if a patient does develop signs and symptoms of vascular compromise. For example, one can use an enzyme called hyaluronidase to dissolve the filler if there is such a concern.

Thanks to non-surgical corrections with injectable fillers, rhinoplasty techniques are becoming more reliable and predictable. Savvy facial plastic surgeons are learning how to best combine available non-invasive technologies to achieve results.

Dr. Yu is a qualified team of experts serving the greater San Antonio area. For more information about non-surgical rhinoplasty or to schedule a consultation, contact Dr. Kenneth Yu Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in San Antonio by calling at (210) 876-6868.