Rhinoplasty is among the most prominent facial plastic surgery procedures, with approximately 220,000 rhinoplasties conducted annually. When considering a nose job, you have two options. You can go for surgical rhinoplasty, which requires surgery but produces permanent results, or nonsurgical rhinoplasty, which is less invasive for temporary nose improvement. Below are the pros and cons of liquid rhinoplasty and surgical rhinoplasty so you can confidently choose the best one for your needs.
Liquid Rhinoplasty
For patients who don’t want to go through the knife to alter their nose, a liquid rhinoplasty is a good option. Liquid rhinoplasty is nonsurgical and suitable for enhancing the nose’s tip, flattening lumps and bumps, correcting asymmetries, and improving contours.
Liquid rhinoplasty has gained a reputation over the years because it is noninvasive, does not involve incisions and scars, and gives immediate results. While liquid rhinoplasty is nonsurgical, it requires a trained and experienced plastic surgeon who understands the nose’s anatomy for the best results.
The treatment takes place with the patient sitting or lying down. A numbing cream or ice is applied to the nose to increase comfort and minimize pain. However, if the filler has a local anesthetic, neither is required. The surgeon injects an HA filler into the specified area of the nose and smooths it as needed. In 15 minutes, the procedure is done, and you have an improved nose.
Pros of Liquid Rhinoplasty
- Noninvasive
- Fast procedure taking around 15 minutes
- Immediate results and minimal recovery time
- Patients are conscious throughout the procedure and help the surgeon attain desired results
- When the surgeon uses HA fillers, the results are reversible
- Less expensive than the surgical option
Cons of Liquid Rhinoplasty
- Temporary results requiring top-ups every six months
- It can be catastrophic in the wrong hands, resulting in vascular complications
- Limited achievements –it can’t correct functional issues and only adds volume; it can’t remove it
Surgical Rhinoplasty
As the name implies, surgical rhinoplasty involves surgery to attain a desired nose and correct functional and cosmetic concerns. It is among the oldest plastic surgery procedures, and people regard it as ‘brutal’ due to the belief that the surgeon ‘breaks’ the nose before reshaping it.
Surgical rhinoplasty is a delicate procedure; only a highly trained and board-certified surgeon should conduct it. The best thing about this procedure is that it is customizable to meet a unique patient’s needs and attain an attractive balance between the nose and other facial features.
Surgical rhinoplasty solves numerous functional and cosmetic problems, including an uneven nose, oversized nostrils, a flat nose bridge, pointed nose appearance, and drooping nose tip. The surgeon can remove some cartilage for a smaller nose, add or reposition cartilage to reshape the nose or change the projection to achieve your dream nose permanently.
Typically, a surgeon uses general anesthesia when conducting the procedure. They make a small incision on the nose –invisible after healing to get access to the cartilage and nose bones. The surgeon then carefully and meticulously modifies the nose’s skin, bone, and cartilage to get optimal results. After the procedure, patients may experience some swelling and bruising that subside in no time to give room to their revamped nose.
Pros of Surgical Rhinoplasty
- The results are permanent for lifelong health and improved appearance
- High customizable to suit client needs and wants
- Multiple surgeries can be conducted simultaneously –say, a nose job and chin augmentation
- Enhance the nose’s function and structure, not just appearance
Cons of Surgical Rhinoplasty
- It takes longer to recover, and patients need some time off from daily activities
- Like other surgical procedures, surgical rhinoplasty has specific risks which your surgeon must address
- Costlier than liquid rhinoplasty. Luckily, the cost is one-off, and the results are permanent.
Which Procedure is Best for You?
Both liquid rhinoplasty and surgical rhinoplasty are safe, practical, and effective solutions for enhancing your nose. However, one may be a better option than the other based on a patient’s needs and desires.
Liquid rhinoplasty is an excellent choice if you need help with small twerks like flattening out bumps on the nose or enhancing the tips. Liquid rhinoplasty is also suitable for people who are squeamish about surgery.
On the other hand, people who need help with issues that dermal fillers cannot address, such as overly large or small noses, deviated septum, and uneven and crooked nostrils, are good candidates for surgical rhinoplasty. These people must be willing to undergo surgery to get their dream nose.
A consultation with a reputable surgeon like Mark Solomon, MD, can help determine the right procedure for you. The surgeon examines your nose structure, listens to your concerns and expectations, and advises whether the surgical or nonsurgical procedure is best. Also, they explain the procedure’s benefits, risks, and costs.
Bottom Line
Since the nose is a central facial feature, its shape, size, and projection affect your face’s proportion, balance, and appearance. Whether you are considering a nose job for cosmetic or functional reasons, you can undergo surgery to get a surgical rhinoplasty or go the nonsurgical way and have a liquid rhinoplasty. The best procedure depends on your unique needs and produces a more appealing nose.
