Probably you already know what rhinoplasty is. But did you know that rhinoplasty, which is often referred to as a nose job, is one of the most common plastic procedures in the United States? Even though this procedure has a high success and satisfaction rate, the number of people looking for a less invasive approach to modify their noses increases dramatically every day.
This is the point when a liquid rhinoplasty comes into play. This way of nose reconstruction still contours the nose. However, you need to be aware that a liquid rhinoplasty provides temporary results and has little recovery time at the same time. If you have doubts regarding the type of rhinoplasty to choose, this article is definitely for you.
Liquid rhinoplasty
Liquid rhinoplasty is a nonsurgical alternative to traditional rhinoplasty. It is aimed to temporarily address problems like a small bump, a drooping nasal tip, and asymmetry. During this procedure, fillers are injected into a patient’s nose for the purpose of reshaping it. In the vast majority of cases, facial plastic surgeons typically use hyaluronic acid (HA), which is the same type of filler generally used in lip and cheek fillers.
During the past few years, HA fillers have gained enormous popularity and are considered safe, effective and a good alternative to surgical rhinoplasty. Some scientists even claim that HA fillers were able to manage nasal problems that surgical rhinoplasty was not able to address.
Advantages and disadvantages of liquid rhinoplasty
Advantages of liquid rhinoplasty are:
● Short duration of the procedure: it takes approximately 15 minutes, which is a lot faster than a traditional rhinoplasty takes
● Immediate results: a patient can experience immediate results straight after the procedure
● Minimal recovery time: a patient can return to work straight after the procedure
● No anesthesia involved: during a liquid rhinoplasty, a facial plastic surgeon does not use anesthesia, therefore a person stays awake and conscious during the entire process
Disadvantages of liquid rhinoplasty:
● Temporary results: unlike traditional rhinoplasty, liquid nose job offer only temporary results
● Involves certain serious complications: blockage of a blood vessel
Advantages and disadvantages of surgical rhinoplasty
Advantages of surgical rhinoplasty
● It is possible to perform multiple surgeries at the same time (for instance, nose job and chin augmentation simultaneously)
● The results of the surgical procedure are permanent
● Surgical rhinoplasty is able to address breathing issues and structural changes by modifying the shape of the nose
Disadvantages of surgical rhinoplasty:
● Surgical rhinoplasty entails far more complications than a liquid rhinoplasty, including bleeding, bad reaction to the general anesthesia and infection
● It is a relatively expensive procedure. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost is approximately $5,350, whereas the average cost of a liquid rhinoplasty varies between $600 and $1,500
● Long recovery time
● If a patient is not satisfied with the outcomes of the procedure, he/she needs to wait for a year until the nose is fully healed
Who is a good candidate for a liquid rhinoplasty?
In general, a good candidate for a liquid rhinoplasty is a person who has small nasal bumps and slightly droopy tips, meaning that asymmetries along the nose can be perfectly corrected with injections. In addition to that, facial plastic surgeons add that individual anatomy as well as the amount of the required correction needed to play a crucial role in the success of the procedure.
A perfect candidate for a liquid rhinoplasty needs to understand the importance of following the recovery steps and keep in mind all the complications that come with a liquid rhinoplasty. Make sure you evaluate all the pros and cons of this type of cosmetic procedure before undergoing it.
Who is not a good candidate for a liquid rhinoplasty?
A bad candidate for this type of procedure is someone who is looking for drastic results. You should not expect to fix a seriously crooked or broken nose with a liquid rhinoplasty. Moreover, if you suffer from breathing issues, a non-surgical alternative to a traditional rhinoplasty will not be able to address this issue. This can only be managed by a surgical rhinoplasty.
If you wear glasses on a regular basis, you are not considered an ideal candidate for a liquid rhinoplasty. People who undergo this type of surgery are instructed to avoid wearing glasses for about 1 to 2 weeks following the procedure. This can be explained by the fact that the filler material can combine with the skin of the nose if too much pressure is applied.
Recovery after a liquid rhinoplasty
As was mentioned above, one of the most significant advantages of a liquid rhinoplasty is extremely short recovery time. Typically, plastic surgeons recommend avoiding pressure on the injected site 1 or 2 weeks following the treatment. In addition to that, you might also need to massage the area for around 1 to 2 weeks.
How long do the results of a liquid rhinoplasty last?
The outcomes of a liquid rhinoplasty are temporary and typically last between 6 months up to 2 years. Everything depends on the type of filler used and the anatomy of a person. Some patients even reported that they did not need follow-up treatment after 24 months. However, in order to maintain the results of a liquid rhinoplasty need to be maintained after a certain period of time.
Potential side effects of a liquid rhinoplasty
Facial plastic surgeons claim that non-surgical rhinoplasty has a low complication rate. However, just like any other cosmetic procedure, it involves a certain degree of risk. Potential side effects and complications include:
● Redness
● Swelling
● Tenderness
● Bleeding
● Vascular occlusion
● Blindness, which can result from retinal vascular occlusion
Searching for a board-certified facial plastic surgeon
For the purpose of limiting the likelihood of the aforementioned complications, it is recommended to find a board-certified and experienced facial plastic surgeon. A good surgeon needs to have extensive experience in the field of cosmetic surgery.
A board-certified facial plastic surgeon needs to have a good understanding of the underlying nasal anatomy as well as a 3-dimensional appreciation of the ideal nasal contour. These are critical elements in ensuring a safe injection and natural appearing results with a liquid rhinoplasty. It is highly recommended to meet with several surgeons before finding the ideal one. We have prepared a list of questions that you can ask your potential surgeon and they are as follows:
● Are your board-certified
● Do you have experience in performing a liquid rhinoplasty surgery
● How many non-surgical rhinoplasty procedures do you perform each year?
● Have you ever performed a traditional nose job surgery?
● Do you have before and after pictures from your previous patients?
● What is the total cost of the procedure?
Another useful tool that can assist you in finding the right surgeon is the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
The bottom line
Liquid rhinoplasty is becoming more and more popular among people who are looking for ways to modify the shape of the nose but do not want to undergo a surgical procedure. Just like any other cosmetic procedure, it has a number of advantages and disadvantages. The most crucial advantage of a liquid rhinoplasty is its immediate results and short recovery time. Additionally, liquid rhinoplasty is considered safer than a traditional rhinoplasty. Make sure you find the right surgeon who will be able to perform this type of cosmetic procedure with limited risks.