What is non-surgical rhinoplasty (NSR)?
A non-surgical rhinoplasty is a new procedure that is becoming an increasingly popular form of aesthetic treatment for those with a minor nasal imbalance who want to improve the shape of their nose without having to undergo invasive plastic surgery.
The major benefits of this non-invasive and reversible1 form of treatment, is that it carries much lower risk, results are achieved more rapidly, the healing time is quicker than that of a traditional rhinoplasty and there is little to no pain involved. In addition, if the results do not produce the desired aesthetic, they are not permanent, but if they do, they can be replicated repeatedly.
Another factor that makes non-surgical rhinoplasty a more appealing procedure, is that the nose can be slightly reshaped in order to appear more aesthetically pleasing which ultimately improve the confidence of the person undergoing the procedure. It is important to remember, however, that the shaping that can be achieved is far less significant than that of a surgical rhinoplasty.
When performing a non-surgical rhinoplasty, a plastic surgeon makes use of the same injectable dermal fillers that are typically used to reduce facial wrinkles in order to allow for the temporary and slight reshaping and contouring of the nasal structure. This aids in the temporary filling of bumps and indentations to create a more aesthetically pleasing nasal shape.
**My Med Memo – It is important to note that a non-surgical rhinoplasty cannot make a nose smaller, only a surgical rhinoplasty can achieve this, however, skilled practitioners may be able to create the illusion of a slightly smaller, more contoured nose through the use of dermal fillers. If you want to drastically decrease the size of your nose, then this non-invasive procedure may not be for you.
Rhinoplasty versus non-surgical rhinoplasty
A rhinoplasty, or ‘nose job’, is a popular form of plastic surgery which involves reshaping the cartilage and bone of the nose using surgical techniques. While this procedure is often performed for cosmetic reasons, a number of people require it for medical reasons such as repairing a nasal fracture or deviated septum caused by a broken or damaged nose due to injury, as well as to improve breathing issues.
When more drastic changes are desired, a rhinoplasty may also involve trimming or reshaping the nasal structures during a reduction or augmentation rhinoplasty using bone, cartilage and fascia obtained from the ribs, ear and temporal area. These types of procedures allow for the significant restructuring of the nasal anatomy.
For those that require only minor adjustments, and who previously would have had to undergo a traditional nose job in the past to achieve these, a non-surgical rhinoplasty offers an alternative to invasive surgery, with fewer risks and lower potential for complications.
In addition, a non-surgical nose job is often suggested as a complementary means of treatment for further shaping the nose after undergoing a traditional rhinoplasty, should the surgeon or patient wish to make minor adjustments without the cost and downtime of additional surgery. A non-surgical rhinoplasty augments the soft tissue of the nose which allows for a natural contour to be achieved, even in those who have extremely thin skin. It is, however, not intended as a replacement for a surgical rhinoplasty.
References:
1. NCBI. 2015. Injection Rhinoplasty with Hyaluronic Acid and Calcium Hydroxyapatite: A Retrospective Survey Investigating Outcome and Complication Rates. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26126227 [Accessed 13.04.2018]