Did you know that a 2019 study published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery found that about 1 in 3 people are unhappy with the appearance of their nose? Considering rhinoplasty consistently ranks among the top five most popular surgeries worldwide, this statistic should not come as a surprise.
Why the dissatisfaction though? Look at it this way, your nose helps create balance between your eyes, cheeks, lips, and chin. From a side profile, it shapes your entire face and subtly influences your expressions and personality. And, of course, it is essential for breathing. Therefore, when we ask, “Why do people want to change their nose?” The answer is simple. Some people feel their noses affect their facial harmony, while others are influenced by social media and the array of “perfect” celebrity noses on the red carpet. And then there are those who opt for surgery to help them inhale and exhale with ease.
But a surgical nose job is not the only nose job in town. Liquid rhinoplasty is becoming increasingly popular, with enquiries for non-surgical nose jobs rising by 29% in the past year compared to surgical rhinoplasty. Non-surgical nose job treatments are also expected to surpass 23 million procedures globally by 2025 too! Because not everyone is emotionally or financially willing to undergo the knife.
So, if you are currently not 100% happy with the way your nose looks, a non-surgical rhinoplasty may be able to provide you with the treatment you seek. Let’s talk about it.
The Ins And Outs Of Injectable Nose Reshaping
Instead of surgically removing or modifying nasal tissue and bone, dermal fillers are injected into precise areas to correct minor nasal irregularities like smoothing out bumps or humps on the bridge, lifting a droopy nasal tip, filling in depressions or asymmetries, and creating the illusion of a straighter, more refined nose.
Of course, since the procedure is minimally invasive, the results are temporary. But having said that, they are long-lasting and can last anywhere between 6 to 18 months. Sometimes even longer with repeated treatments.
And people love it. A study showed that 95 to 99% of patients reported satisfaction, often citing improved profile and symmetry. One review also reported 9/10 median satisfaction among 2,088 patients after a hyaluronic acid-based filler. Remember, most nose fillers are made of hyaluronic acid (HA), which is a naturally occurring substance in the skin.
Beyond the aesthetic appeal, liquid rhinoplasty offers several practical advantages. Results are visible almost instantly, and the procedure is quick, dubbed a “lunchtime treatment” for a reason. It is also fully customisable, significantly more affordable than traditional rhinoplasty, and requires little to no downtime. Plus, if adjustments are needed, the HA filler can easily be refined or dissolved, offering added flexibility and peace of mind.
Let’s Talk Safety
It is hard to believe, but the first attempt at non-surgical nose reshaping dates all the way back to the late 1800s, and it involved paraffin wax! Thankfully, techniques have come a long way since then. Today, nose fillers are considered extremely safe when performed correctly. In fact, the overall complication rate is currently estimated to be between just 0.01% and 0.1% per procedure (that is about 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 1,000), according to multiple studies in aesthetic medicine.
Naturally, safety depends heavily on who performs the treatment. If done by an inexperienced or unqualified practitioner, complications such as vascular occlusion (a blockage of blood vessels), skin necrosis, and in very rare cases, blindness can occur. This is because the nose is a particularly complex area with a dense network of blood vessels, making precision and expertise absolutely essential.
This is why it is so important to ALWAYS choose a reputable clinic with trained professionals who understand the intricacies of nasal anatomy.
Last But Not Least
Non-surgical rhinoplasty is one of the fastest-growing non-invasive aesthetic procedures globally, and according to the British College of Aesthetic Medicine, it is among the top 5 most requested filler procedures in the UK.
It offers those who want to make subtle, yet impactful changes to their nose without getting nipped and tucked via the nostrils, a safe, gentle, and effective way to tweak the nasal area. However, having said that, bear in mind a non-surgical rhinoplasty can help smooth out bumps and lumps, but it cannot reduce the size of the nose or correct more complex structural issues, such as a deviated septum. In cases like these, you may need the scalpel to get the job done.
But all in all, when a liquid nose job is done right, it can be a powerful (and affordable) tool for harmonising your facial features, as well as helping you reach your aesthetic goals and the nose of your dreams.
