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Non-surgical Rhinoplasty is a recent development in the field of cosmetic surgery which does
not use any incisions on the patients nose. It is a procedure which allows reshaping the nose
without any invasive surgery.
This procedure is recommended for those people who are seeking a minor adjustment to the
size or shape of their nose. The procedure is completely safe and is approved by the
International Medical Association and U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Nose job without surgery can be successfully accomplished by using injectable fillers to
straighten the nose profile. The surgeon can fill in the depressions or smoothen out the hump
on the nose by filling in the adjoining areas.
The most commonly used dermal fillers for nose are Hyaluronic acid and calcium based
microsphere filler called Radiesse.
This procedure is used to correct almost all minor defects in the nose except the ones which
require a thorough cartilage harvesting and grafting. Droopy tip, bulbous nostrils, visible humps
on the bridge, uneven nostrils, weak nasal structure and any odd shape of the nose can be
corrected by non-surgical Rhinoplasty.
This non-surgical approach can neither cure breathing problems not reduce the size of the
nose. Since there is no incision and reduction surgery the nasal bone and supporting cartilages
remain unaltered. But, it can give the patient an aesthetically attractive nose by filling in the
areas which are causing imbalance and asymmetry.
The world has seen advancements in the field of facial plastic surgery where injectable fillers
are being used more and more. Patients are also becoming open to the new possibilities of non-
surgical treatments and enhancements.
The early experiments began in the 19th century when two dynamic surgeons, James Corning
and Robert Gersuny, started using liquid paraffin wax to create the results which were obtained
by a regular Rhinoplasty surgery. These procedures were efficient, result-oriented, fast and had
negligible recovery time.
The non-surgical injectable fillers were for first used to elevate the collapsed dorsum which
leads to the saddle nose deformity. The fillers were also experimented on other deformities
with satisfactory results. But, despite the success of non-surgical fillers, liquid paraffin wax
started producing extreme reactions in patients and showed signs of creating biological
problems.
In the 60s, silicone gel was implemented in the Rhinoplasty surgery. The surgeons began
experimenting with a permanent nose job with these implants. But, like liquid paraffin, this too
started causing problems to the patients. Many people reported with ulcers and granulomas
(rejection of foreign particles by the body) after their surgery.
After extensive research Dr. Orentreich came up with an alternative technique called
microdroplet technique where small proportions of injectable silicone was used on the
patients over many sessions. But the contents of silicone gel were always objectionable as it
caused health problems to many patients over the years.
In 2002, an American surgeon called Dr. Alexander Rivkin started experimenting with injectable
fillers like Restylane and Radiesse. These were the only agents approved by the FDA for
Rhinoplasty during those years. Based on the success gained by this procedure, Dr Rivkin, in
2003, made the method public as non surgical nose job through American media. He also
used a synonym called injection Rhinoplasty.
In 2005, Dr. Andrew Le from Australia reported successful injection nose job by using
Polyacrylamide gel (PAAG), a hydrophilic colloid injected in the tissues to correct nasal defect.
This is also known by the name Aquamid in the market.
The surgeon usually recommends whether the patient has to go for a normal surgery or can get
the results with non-surgical procedures. However, the final decision is left with the patient and
he/she can decide after consulting their family members and other experts in the field of plastic
surgery.
Men and women of all age categories can safely use injectable fillers after having a skin test if
required. Children below 14 years are advised not to go for such surgeries as their nose is still
forming and taking shape. When they grow into an adult they can decide if they want to change
their appearance.
Sometimes the financial constraints can also lead to patient opting for a non-surgical nose job
instead of a full-fledged permanent surgery. The injectable fillers are temporary and have to be
replaced after about a year. But, the inexpensive fillers can be changed without much dent on
ones bank balance.
In some rare cases the surgeon finds that any kind of surgery can lead to further deterioration
of the facial muscles and cartilages. They may have been damaged beyond repair and the body
is too old to create new tissues. It might have lost the ability to create healthy muscle mass and
skin due to some disease. In such cases, the best option is non-surgical nose job. The patient
has to follow-up with the surgeon for future fillings as and when required.
People who are not happy with their primary Rhinoplasty can also be asked to go for non-
surgical fillings instead of a revision Rhinoplasty. Usually this will correct any minor deviations
which were left off during the first nose job. The patient is also relieved that he does not have
to go through the pain, discomfort and recovery phase like a normal nose surgery.
People from all ethnic background can safely consider non-surgical nose job and get the looks
they desire. The surgeon takes into account the ethnicity and does the filling to balance the
aesthetics of the face and the patients ethnic identity.
Non-surgical nose job can create a near perfect nasal profile just like the surgical nose job. But
one limitation to this is that it cannot reduce the size of the nose or lessen the overall volume of
the nose. Since the entire procedure is a filler process, you can only expect to have smooth
contour of the nose.
Depressed nasal dorsum leading to a flat nose. Injectable fillers increase the size of the
nose and make it look proper to the contour of the face.
Deviated projection of the nasal tip leading to lop-sided nostrils.
Retracted or weak columella leading either to a droopy nasal tip or upturned nose.
Deep creases along the nasal sidewalls
Humps or depressions on the nasal bridge
Enhancing interior nasal structure
Any minor injury to the nose
The procedure involved is simple when compared to the surgical Rhinoplasty. The surgeon
usually gets the job done in 15 to 20 minutes on any day and the patient is given discharge
immediately. He can also resume his day to day activities the next day.
Some surgeons also give a saline injection to the patient to make them see, feel and experience
what it is like to go through the injectable fillers. The effects last for about 10 minutes where
the patient can decide whether this nose job is for them. After this, the actual treatment
begins.
Step 1: Pre-operative Checkups - The surgeon may make some general checkups of blood
pressure and other vital signs before starting to make sure that the procedures are completed
smoothly.
Step 3: Injecting Fillers A sterile syringe is used which comes pre-packed with filler agent and
a hypodermic needle. The physician injects the material deep under to nasal skin in the
subcutaneous tissues and creates the desired changes.
Step 4: Recovery Slight swelling, discomfort and stuffiness can be felt in the nasal area after
the filling. The patient can resume normal daily activities after an hour or so.
Step 5: Follow-up Since the fillings are temporary, lasting for at most 1 to 1 and a half year,
the patient has to go through future filling sessions until required.
The earlier fillers used in non-surgical nose jobs caused adverse effects to the health of the
patients. As such, the FDA stepped in and created many safety measures and control checks
before administering these fillers. The surgeons have to take approval from the FDA before
using any new filler agent on their patients.
Hyaluronic acid This is a naturally occurring substance and is found throughout the body of
most living organisms. It is the reason behind skin elasticity, volume and appearance of the
youthful skin. This is the only filler which is reversible. The surgeon can reduce the dosage by
melting away the excess dosage by injecting another enzyme called Hyaluronidase.
Juvederm This is injectable facial filler used for cosmetic, dermatological and plastic
surgery to soften deep folds and reduce wrinkles in the face. Its main usage is in
removing smile lines and creases of facial skin. Various clinical studies were conducted
over the years to check the efficacy of this agent. They proved that Juvederm is safe and
gives better results than its competitor Zyplast, a filler made from collagen. This agent is
FDA approved.
Restylane This is a non-animal sourced hyaluronic acid (HA). This was the first acid
filler in United States approved by FDA for cosmetic injection into deeper dermal
tissues. This filler has been known to cause granulomatous (foreign body reaction). The
filler should not be used near areas where there has been a skin disease or
inflammation before. The filler has also been not tested on pregnant women.
Voluma This is a product which is used for similar reasons like other hyaluronic acids.
The side effects are similar to Restylane and should be used after skin testing and
eliminating any possibilities of infection or adverse reaction.
Perlane This is soft-tissue filler in the market approved to treat moderate creases
around the mouth. The surgeons, however, are authorized to use this agent on other
parts of the face to enhance the characteristics and rejuvenate the skin and volume.
This is slightly thicker when compared to Restylane and may be a better choice for filling
deeper lines.
Calcium Hydroxyapatite This is a calcium phosphate similar to the human hard tissues in
morphology and composition. It is considered more stable when compared to other calcium
phosphates. This is also more stable during physiological conditions such as temperature, pH
and body fluids interactions.
Liquid Silicone This is a gel which is used through microdroplet technique over various
sessions in the clinic. It is also used for breast implants, testicle implants, pectoral implants etc.
Since the synthetic compound is highly biocompatible it is advised by the surgeons for
injectable filling. Only the medical grade silicone is approved by the FDA and its quality has to
pass stringent tests before administering to the patient.
Artefill This is a permanent injectable wrinkle filler to smoothen out the smile lines. It
was approved by the FDA in 2006. It is a gel suspension of 20% PMMA, 30 to 42 micron
microspheres, 3.5% collagen derived from cows and 0.3% Lidocaine. Since this material
is not absorbed by the body it provides a permanent structure into which the nasal
tissues can grow. These can be removed only by cutting them.
Artefill is not recommended for people who have bovine collagen/lidocaine allergy or
sensitivity to foreign objects. There is also a risk of eventual overgrowth of tissues if the
injectable is not controlled.
Polyacrylamide Gel (PAGE) This is permanent filler used to achieve results like the usual
surgical Rhinoplasty. This is used for patients with ethnic backgrounds. This filling is not
approved by FDA.
Various clinical trials over the years have been conducted to support the safety of this
agent. But, FDA has not yet approved this agent in USA. It is available in other countries
Europe, Asia, Latin America and Middle East.
Although the cost of injectable filler is just 1/10th of an actual Rhinoplasty surgery, you have to
take into consideration the temporary nature of this procedure. You are required to visit the
doctors clinic every year and spend the amount for the injection.
Sometimes, a single injection may not be enough for the entire procedure to be successful. The
physician has to make use of another syringe which will add up the total cost. Therefore, if this
idea makes you nervous, it is better to give a second thought before opting for a nose job
without surgery.
The permanent fillers discussed above may not suit your body type and your surgeon may go
for the temporary ones. Even with the permanent fillers there are possibilities of them creating
an unwanted reaction in the body later on and you may have to visit the clinic again for
replacing them with new ones.
The insurance company does not cover such cosmetic procedures unless a functional problem
is proved through a medical test. Moreover, you should be careful and read through the clauses
given in fine print of your health policy. You have check whether such cosmetic surgeries can
make your future claims null and void.
The banks may give you a personal loan depending on the prevailing rate or interest. But, if you
have to go for a bank loan for a non-surgical Rhinoplasty, it is better to wait until your financial
condition improves. It is always better to make the payment from your savings instead of
creating a new debt.
With the emergence of Vectra 3d imaging technology the surgeon is able to take pictures of
patients face and create a 3d image to show how the procedure will change the shape and size
of the nose.
The technology also guides the surgeon by taking into consideration various angular
calculations to provide the best results for surgery. It also takes into account the typical traits
exhibited by people from various ethnicities and helps the surgeon maintain them while he is
operating on the nose.
Nose job without surgery is becoming more and more popular with the patients who are
unwilling to shell thousands of dollars for a surgery. The mainstream media is catching up with
the astounding results achieved by injectable fillers in enhancing the beauty of the face by
correcting the nasal structure.
The temporary results are a boon in disguise, as, if something goes wrong and the patient is
unhappy with the results he will know that the results will not last for long. Overall, this new
technique in providing an aesthetically attractive nose is proving to be successful.