For decades, if you weren’t happy with the way your nose looked, you only had one option for changing it: surgical rhinoplasty. This procedure, which has been around for thousands of years, alters the appearance of a person’s nose and can even improve nasal function in some cases.
Of course, not everyone wants to undergo surgery. Just as non-surgical and minimally-invasive cosmetic options are available for a variety of other aesthetic concerns, there’s now a non-surgical option available for people who want to change the appearance of their nose without having to go through a surgical procedure.
Non-surgical rhinoplasty uses dermal fillers to make subtle, temporary changes to the nose. Although the treatment can often provide results that are similar to those of traditional rhinoplasty, it is also different in many ways.
If you’re unhappy with your nose and want to improve the way it looks, it can be helpful to compare surgical and non-surgical rhinoplasty to see which one might be right for you.
What Each Procedure Can Do
While both non-surgical and surgical rhinoplasty procedures can change the way the nose looks, what they’re able to change about the nose’s appearance is slightly different.
Non-surgical rhinoplasty is somewhat limited in what it can accomplish in comparison to its surgical cousin. Non-surgical, or “liquid” rhinoplasty can smooth out humps or bumps on the bridge of the nose or add definition and width to a narrow nose.
Liquid rhinoplasty can also lift a droopy nasal tip and add more definition to the tip of the nose or to a nose that is flat. If the tip of the nose is misshapen, non-surgical rhinoplasty can sometimes help to adjust the shape.
Surgical rhinoplasty can change the tip of the nose in similar ways, either by correcting its shape, adding definition, or changing its elevation. People seeking rhinoplasty might do so because it can make a narrow nose wider or enhance a nose that is flat. Surgical rhinoplasty can also smooth out bumps or humps on the nose and fill in depressions or divots.
In addition, surgical rhinoplasty can do a few things that non-surgical rhinoplasty can’t. Liquid rhinoplasties can primarily make the nose bigger. Rhinoplasty surgery can make the nose bigger or smaller, depending on what the patient wants.
Rhinoplasty surgery can also change the structures inside of the nose. It can be combined with a surgery called septoplasty in patients who have a deviated septum. A functional rhinoplasty can be performed to correct internal issues in the nose that interfere with breathing and other nasal functions.
Recovery Time
The recovery process is quite different after non-surgical rhinoplasty compared to surgical rhinoplasty. The limited recovery period after a liquid rhinoplasty is part of what makes the procedure appealing to many people.
After a liquid rhinoplasty, you’ll most likely be able to get back to your daily activities immediately. There’s no need to schedule time off from work or take a break from your daily routine.
The recovery after a surgical rhinoplasty is often considerably longer. Usually, it’s a good idea to take a least one week off from work or other regular commitments. You might want to give yourself two weeks to rest up so that you’re feeling as good as possible when you go back to your normal routine.
Once the initial recovery from rhinoplasty is over, your activities are likely going to be limited for a few more weeks. It’s typically recommended that you avoid exercise or swimming for at least a month afterward.
Because the recovery time is so much longer after surgical rhinoplasty, it often requires a bit more preparation than the non-surgical option. You might need to coordinate with your work to find someone to cover your shifts and you may need to arrange for child or pet care.
How Long Results Last
Another crucial difference between liquid and surgical rhinoplasty is how long the results last. The changes made during a surgical rhinoplasty are permanent. Meanwhile, the changes made to the nose during non-surgical rhinoplasty will fade away as the filler wears off.
For some people, the temporary nature of non-surgical rhinoplasty is ideal. They might not be entirely sure that they want to permanently change their nose. If they aren’t happy with the results from liquid rhinoplasty, they only have to wait for the fillers to wear off. Some people use this treatment as a “preview” for surgical rhinoplasty.
How to Choose the Best Option for You
When deciding between a non-surgical or surgical rhinoplasty, it’s important to carefully consider what you want from the procedure. It might be that the changes you want can only be accomplished with surgery, for instance.
Another thing to consider is how much time you have to commit to the procedure and recovery. Non-surgical rhinoplasty is sometimes called the “15-minute nose job,” as the procedure and recovery are so short.
If you want more assistance deciding between non-surgical or surgical rhinoplasty, a plastic surgeon can help. Dr. Paul Vitenas is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Houston, Texas who offers both surgical and non-surgical rhinoplasty. To schedule your consultation, call 281-484-0088 today.