Using Dermal Filler in the Corner of the Nose: Understanding Liquid Rhinoplasty

Your nose can affect the overall symmetry and beauty of your face. If you feel like your natural nose doesn’t complement your other facial features, you might not be satisfied with how you look. Many people experience this problem, which is why rhinoplasty has become a popular aesthetic procedure over the years. But with the costs and lengthy downtime associated with getting a nose job, more people are turning to liquid rhinoplasty as a convenient alternative solution. 

So how does dermal filler in your nose provide the results of a liquid rhinoplasty? With the use of dermal fillers, experienced medical providers can add volume to certain areas and modify the appearance of your nose. The process is less invasive and provides similar results to surgical rhinoplasty. Here’s what you should know if you’re interested in getting dermal filler treatments for your nose. 

How Do Dermal Fillers In the Nose Work?

Dermal fillers are frequently used to smooth out bumps and facial wrinkles and add volume to your face and give patients a youthful appearance. During a liquid rhinoplasty procedure, a medical provider will inject filler into different parts of your nose such as the corners of your nose, nasal tip, nose bridge, and other areas that can be improved. Each dermal filler injection adds volume and reshapes the appearance of your nose, giving it a subtly different appearance. 

Getting your nose done by an experienced medical provider ensures your treatment is safe and effectives, as well as ensuring you get the nose that best compliments your facial features. The effects of the dermal filler are temporary, so it’s necessary to get maintenance treatments to keep the results of your liquid rhinoplasty. But it’s the faster, convenient, and less invasive option to modify your nose, making it a good alternative to surgery. 

Our Treatment Process

Dr. Lanna has handled countless dermal filler treatments, so you can expect the highest level of quality when she delivers treatment. Prior to your injection, you’ll sit down with Dr. Lanna for an initial consultation. 

There, Dr. Lanna can determine if you’re a good candidate for liquid rhinoplasty or if there are better alternatives to help you achieve your beauty goals. She can also recommend a custom treatment plan with other injectable treatments to enhance other features of your face. 

Once you’ve been cleared to receive dermal fillers, Dr. Lanna can administer treatment. First, your nose will be sterilized before applying a numbing cream to minimize the pain of the injection. 

Next, we’ll inject enough filler into certain areas of your nose to increase volume and modify its shape. The filler is then smoothened to prevent pressure and to help it settle into place. The whole procedure can take less than 30 minutes. 

Who Can Get Liquid Rhinoplasty?

Most people in generally good health who aren’t happy with their nose’s appearance can safely get liquid rhinoplasties. It’s also a good option for those who lead busy lifestyles and can’t take several days or weeks of time off to recover from their surgery. Schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Lanna to see if you’re a good candidate to receive liquid rhinoplasty. 

However, it’s important to set realistic expectations before undergoing this treatment. You should understand that dermal fillers are temporary and, if you skip out on maintenance treatments once the filler wears off, your nose will return to its original state 

Surgical Rhinoplasty vs. Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty

Before committing to a liquid rhinoplasty procedure, it’s important to understand its difference from its more invasive surgical counterpart. Here’s a table to help you compare the pros and cons between the two.

	Surgical Rhinoplasty	Non Surgical Rhinoplasty
What Is It?	A permanent, invasive procedure where a cosmetic surgeon restructures your nose’s shape by modifying your nostrils, inner bone, cartilage, and even the base of the nose. A temporary minimally-invasive procedure where dermal filler injections are administered into different parts of the nose to smooth out and add volume to certain areas to modify its outer appearance. Your nose’s bones and cartilage remain unchanged.
Cost	The average cost of a surgical rhinoplasty is $5,483 in 2020, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.	Most providers charge around $600 to $1,500. The price can depend on factors like the provider’s experience and skill, the amount of filler needed, and the filler type.
Pros	Permanent results. You don’t have to undergo maintenance treatments after your nose heals, nor is there a risk of your nose warping with too much pressure.   Can treat nasal conditions. As a surgical procedure, it can fix medical issues surrounding your nose like sleep apnea or a broken nose due to injuries. Because some rhinoplasty procedures are done due to medical reasons, your health insurance may cover your surgery.  Covers all types of noses. Surgical rhinoplasty procedures can fix severely crooked noses, broken noses, and large noses – which liquid rhinoplasty can’t.	Fast and convenient. Treatment takes less than 30 minutes and delivers instant results.  Little to no downtime and minimal recovery is required, so you’re free to resume your usual routine immediately after treatment.  Ideal for those who can’t get cosmetic surgery. Liquid rhinoplasty is the only minimally invasive treatment that offers similar results as a surgical rhinoplasty, minus the downtime, recovery period, and the stress it can have on your body.  Reversible. If your desired nose doesn’t compliment your appearance, you can wait for it to revert back to its original form. Rhinoplasty that uses hyaluronic acid can be dissolved with hyaluronidase injections.
Cons	Costs. Expect to spend thousands of dollars on surgical rhinoplasty, not including the costs associated before and after surgery (such as laboratory tests and the costs of recovery). In comparison, liquid rhinoplasties are a fraction of the cost.  Longer downtime and recovery. The downtime may mean taking several weeks off work to rest after your surgery. Afterwards, it can take up to one year for your nose to fully heal.  Increased risk of adverse effects associated with surgery. Many people don’t feel the need to subject themselves to the risks of surgery for cosmetic purposes. Risks like excessive bleeding, infections, reactions to general anesthesia, and more. Be sure to work with an experienced plastic surgeon to minimize risk.	Temporary results. Facial fillers aren’t permanent and maintenance treatments are necessary to sustain your nose’s appearance. If you want a long-term or permanent solution, you’ll have to get surgical rhinoplasty.  Only an aesthetic treatment. Liquid rhinoplasty is purely cosmetic and isn’t meant to treat medical conditions like breathing difficulties, sleep apnea, or broken noses.  Risks if you don’t get it from a qualified and experienced provider. There are risks of bruising, bleeding, and infection if you aren’t getting your nonsurgical rhinoplasty from an experienced professional. There’s also the risk that the results won’t match the type of nose you want.

Recovery and Results

Following your dermal filler procedure, you should see instant changes to the shape of your nose. Because liquid rhinoplasty requires very little downtime, you can resume your usual daily routine. However, it can take up to two weeks for the filler to fully set in, so avoid applying excess pressure on the area. 

After treatment, you may experience some minor side effects. These are common with any injectable cosmetic procedure. These will subside on its own after a few days, but you can use home remedies and over-the-counter pain relievers if the discomfort is hard to ignore. Some side effects may include:

• Redness 
• Tenderness and swelling
• Mild pain at the injection site 
• Bruising

Aftercare and Maintenance

Because the side effects of liquid rhinoplasty are very minimal, very little aftercare is needed. Some ways to take care of your nose include:

• Gentle massage your nose often for two weeks after treatment.
• Avoid applying too much pressure on your nose.
• If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort following your treatment, use an ice pack or pain relievers. 
• Avoid blood-thinners like alcoholic drinks for at least one week after your injection, as this can promote bruising. If you’re taking blood-thinning medication, let your provider know before your treatment. 

Depending on the type of filler used for your liquid rhinoplasty, the results’ lifespan usually range from 6 months up to 3 years. Organic filler products like hyaluronic acid have a lower risk of adverse reactions but dissolve faster than synthetic filler products. The common lifespan for dermal filler types are:

• Hyaluronic acid filler - 6 to 12 months
• Calcium hydroxylapatite filler - 12 to 18 months
• Poly-L-lactic acid filler - 2 to 3 years
• Polymethylmethacrylate filler - 3 to 5 years

To maintain your results, you’ll need to undergo maintenance treatments to have more filler injected into your nose. 

Is Liquid Rhinoplasty the Right Treatment for Me?

Liquid rhinoplasty is best for patients who:

• Want to improve their nose’s appearance
• Want to avoid surgical treatments 
• Want to minimize the downtime and recovery period 
• Understand the pros and cons of liquid rhinoplasty and its difference from surgical rhinoplasty

It’s also important to understand the limitations of this treatment. It’s purely cosmetic, so if you have a broken nose due to injuries or a severely crooked nose, surgical rhinoplasty may be a better option for you. You may also not be a good candidate for liquid rhinoplasty if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Wear glasses frequently (as the pressure from your glasses can affect the filler)
• Have a nose that can’t be modified with added volume (for instance, if you have a large nose and want it to be smaller, liquid rhinoplasty isn’t the best choice)
• Have a history of severe allergies
• Have a history of an allergic reaction to any ingredient found in injectable fillers
• Have any clotting or bleeding disorders. 

Let Dr. Lanna Improve Your Nose’s Appearance 

Your nose balances the rest of your face and plays a huge role in your overall beauty. If you’re interested in rhinoplasty but don’t want the extensive downtime and side effects that come with surgical procedures, you may benefit from liquid rhinoplasty treatments from an expert aesthetic provider like Dr. Lanna. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.