One of the most effective ways to enhance your facial appearance, achieving the natural balance and proportionality you desire, is to make subtle alterations to the shape and structure of your nose.
The question is, can you achieve this goal without undergoing surgery? While surgery is required to achieve some goals, aesthetic enhancement of the nose can often be accomplished using a nonsurgical approach. Non-surgical rhinoplasty can often produce welcome results, without the need for anesthesia or for a prolonged recovery time.
Dr. Biesman has performed non-surgical rhinoplasty procedures, also known as liquid rhinoplasty, for over a decade, treating patients throughout the Nashville area and around the world. Here is a brief guide to liquid rhinoplasty, sometimes known in lay terms as the “non-surgical nose job.” Keep in mind that the best way to learn about the procedure is to seek a one-on-one consultation from a qualified oculofacial plastic surgeon.
First, what is a liquid rhinoplasty?
A liquid rhinoplasty is a procedure in which a soft tissue filler (specifically a hyaluronic acid filler as opposed to a permanent filler) is used to change the appearance of the nose.
A skilled, knowledgeable surgeon like Dr. Biesman can use liquid rhinoplasty to provide patients with striking, natural-looking results. For example, liquid rhinoplasty can be used to reduce the appearance of a hump in the nose. Note that liquid rhinoplasty cannot actually make the nose smaller; for this, you would need a surgical rhinoplasty. However, when fillers are injected into either side of the hump, they can produce a smoother, less prominent appearance. In other words, though fillers cannot make the nose physically smaller, they can help it to appear smaller.
Liquid rhinoplasty procedures can also be used to lift the tip of a nose that has dropped downward. For noses that are curved to the right or to the left, fillers can cause the nose to look straighter. And, liquid fillers can address little indentations in the nose, whether at the tip or further up, closer to the nasal root.
What are the Risks Associated with Liquid Rhinoplasty?
Before having liquid rhinoplasty procedures performed, patients should be aware of some potential risks. The nose is considered to be a high-risk area for injections. This is because the blood supply to the nose, along with the blood vessels that travel within the nose, can be variable in position and can even be connected to the eye and to the brain. As such, stroke, blindness, and death are potential risks of liquid rhinoplasty.
These complications are exceedingly rare. However, the severity of these complications underscores just how important it is for liquid rhinoplasty to be performed by real experts. Skilled providers with the appropriate experience can minimize the risks associated with liquid rhinoplasty injections. Dr. Biesman has more than a decade of experience performing these procedures, and takes the appropriate precautions to safeguard his patients.
Am I a Good Candidate for Liquid Rhinoplasty?
Before you commit to liquid rhinoplasty, it is important to verify that you are well-qualified for a safe, successful procedure.
The best candidates for liquid rhinoplasty are content with the size of their nose, but have things they’d like to change about the shape or the structure of the nose. If you are looking to make your nose physically smaller, liquid rhinoplasty is not the right option for you.
Additionally, those who have nasal scars from previous traumas may find that liquid rhinoplasty provides them with some improvement. This depends on the type of scarring.
Liquid rhinoplasty is an especially good option for patients who wish to change the appearance of their noses, but who are ambivalent or even reticent about having surgery.
The best way to determine whether liquid rhinoplasty is right for you is to schedule a consultation with an experienced surgeon, like Dr. Biesman, who can tell you more about the procedure and its potential benefits. If your needs would be better addressed through surgical intervention, Dr. Biesman will not hesitate to advise you accordingly and to refer you to a skilled plastic surgeon.
What Should I Expect from the Procedure?
As for the procedure itself, liquid rhinoplasty is actually very simple and straightforward, requiring just a few injections around the nose. The procedure can bring some mild discomfort, but there is no need for patients to pre-medicate. Topical numbing solutions are used to minimize pain. Most patients tolerate liquid rhinoplasty very well, and are very happy with the final results.
What About the Recovery from Liquid Rhinoplasty?
There is always going to be a little bit of swelling following a liquid rhinoplasty procedure. It may take up to two weeks for this swelling to fully subside, though most of the time, this is swelling that only the patient will really notice. Additionally, patients can anticipate some tenderness and discomfort. Bruising can also occur, though it is fairly uncommon.
Dr. Biesman typically recommends against having a liquid rhinoplasty and then heading immediately back to work or other activities. However, most patients are ready to resume their normal activities the day following their procedure.
There is not a lot that patients need to do in terms of post-operative care, though cold compresses can be helpful in the hours immediately following the procedure.
Dr. Biesman recommends that patients return for a follow-up appointment about two weeks after their procedure, allowing both the patient and Dr. Biesman to verify that they are happy with the results. Occasionally, this follow-up visit may entail some touch-up treatments, creating subtle adjustments to the nasal appearance.
Learn More About Getting Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty
If you think getting a non-surgical nose job sounds promising, the next step is to seek the expertise of an experienced provider. Dr. Biesman has more than 25 years of experience in minimally invasive facial rejuvenation, and would love to speak with you about the benefits of liquid rhinoplasty. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Biesman today.