How it is done at this practice
It is done as an application of facial bioosteoplasty to the nose, with biphasic bioceramic, the same technique used on the cheekbones, chin and jaw angle.
What it can correct
- Small irregularities of the bridge. A slight hump is camouflaged by filling above and below it so that the profile line looks continuous.
- The position of the tip. It can lift and project the tip and change the angle between the nose and the lip, which is what a drooping tip calls for.
- Slight asymmetries visible from the front.
- Details left after a rhinoplasty, always taking the state of the tissues into account.
What it does not correct
Non-surgical rhinoplasty is often presented as an alternative to surgery, and it helps to know its limits first:
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It does not reduce size. It only adds volume: a large nose treated with filler ends up slightly bigger, even if the profile looks more balanced.
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It does not correct a deviation of the septum or of the bony framework.
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It does not improve breathing. No filler opens the airway, and if badly placed it could compromise it.
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It does not refine a bulbous tip, because that volume comes from the cartilages or from thick skin.
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It is not permanent. The material is reabsorbed at a different pace in each person.
If what you want is on this list, what needs assessing is rhinoplasty, and that is what you will be told at the consultation. The practical rule: if you want to take something away, it is surgery; if you want to fill a hollow or lift the tip, it may be non-surgical rhinoplasty.
What the session is like
It is done in the consulting room, with topical or local anaesthesia. The material is injected at specific points of the bridge, tip or base according to the plan from the assessment, and the change is visible at the end. No hospital stay is needed. There may be swelling and some bruising in the first days.
Having had non-surgical rhinoplasty does not prevent surgery later on.
Risks: why the nose is a delicate area
The absence of an operating theatre does not make it a minor technique. The nose is one of the areas of the face with the highest vascular risk, because its arteries are end arteries and connect with the circulation that supplies the eye.
A badly placed injection can compromise the blood supply to the skin and cause necrosis, and in exceptional cases serious visual complications from vascular occlusion have been described. They are rare and depend on the anatomy, the technique and who performs it. That is why it should be done by a doctor trained in nasal surgery, who knows the anatomy from the inside, and why the risk is higher in a nose that has already been operated on, where scarring has altered the circulation.
What is expected and usual is swelling, redness and bruising that settle within days. The other risks are explained at the consultation before any decision.
Frequently asked questions
Does non-surgical rhinoplasty replace a rhinoplasty?
No. Non-surgical rhinoplasty adds volume to camouflage and reposition, and its effect is temporary. Rhinoplasty changes the bone and cartilage structure, can reduce size and can treat breathing.
Does it work for a nose with a hump?
It depends on the hump. If it is slight, it is camouflaged by filling above and below it. If it is pronounced, filling around it increases the overall volume and the result is usually disappointing. The examination decides.
How long does the effect last?
The material is reabsorbed over time, at a pace that depends on the product, the amount and each person's metabolism. It lasts for a while, but it is not permanent.
Does it hurt?
Topical or local anaesthesia is applied. It is usually described as uncomfortable and the nose is a sensitive area; tolerance varies from person to person.
Can it be done if I have already had nose surgery?
It is assessed with more caution. An operated nose has scar tissue and altered circulation, which increases the vascular risk. It needs a specific assessment and knowing what surgery was done.
Can I have surgery afterwards?
Yes. You should tell the surgeon what material was injected and when, because it affects the planning.