What is Liquid Rhinoplasty & How Does It Work?

‘What is liquid rhinoplasty?’ is one of the key questions we frequently get asked here at Elite Aesthetics by people looking for a non-surgical alternative to a nose job. 

Your nose is a key feature of your face, if you’re not happy with some aspect of it it can cause you to feel self-conscious or insecure about your appearance.

Thankfully, there are solutions that can help! Non-surgical rhinoplasty is a great option for anyone unhappy with their nose. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, rhinoplasty is a procedure designed to change the shape of your nose. 

In this blog, we are going to explore the types of rhinoplasty available to see how they compare. If you have been considering liquid rhinoplasty or even surgical rhinoplasty, read on to find out more…

There are several types of rhinoplasty procedures available, from surgical to non-surgical – we have listed them below:

Liquid Rhinoplasty: What Is It?

Liquid rhinoplasty is a non-surgical procedure. It’s a great option if you are unhappy with your nose but don’t want invasive surgery. 

The treatment involves small injections of hyaluronic acid filler to smooth out any bumps and create a pleasing nose shape. The dermal fillers we use are subtle, precise and very natural looking. 

What Are The Benefits?

• It’s less invasive than surgery.
• Safe and convenient.
• It’s fast – the whole procedure can be done in just 15 minutes.
• Quick recovery time – with almost no downtime, this is an easier option for many people.
• Visible, natural-looking results. 
• It’s reversible – in case you change your mind. 

What Can Liquid Rhinoplasty Help With?

This procedure is ideal if you want to smooth out bumps or make your nose less angular. It’s often the right choice if you either aren’t ready for surgery or you want a more natural procedure. 

The treatment is tailored completely to you so you will achieve the result you want.

Concerns that liquid rhinoplasty can help with include: 

• A crooked or bent nose.
• Smaller noses that need building up.
• Noses that need straightening.
• Smoothing out any bumps.
• A mild to moderate drooping of your nasal tip.
• Refining your nose shape after surgery.
• Noses that need more height and definition.

How Long Will The ProcedureTake?

A liquid rhinoplasty procedure typically takes 15 minutes, making it one of the quickest nose procedures you can have. Many people return to work the very same day, making it a convenient procedure to fit in around a busy schedule. 

How Does It Work?

Liquid rhinoplasty is a non-surgical procedure in which injectable fillers are used to alter the shape of your nose. These fillers shape your nose, adding volume where needed and adjusting the contour of your nose to create a shape that suits you. 

The dermal fillers that we use are usually made from hyaluronic acid like Restylane and Juvederm or Radiesse. Hyaluronic acid is a gel-like substance that will help to smooth and shape your nose.

The key benefit of hyaluronic acid is its ability to retain moisture. Because it occurs naturally in your body there’s very little chance of a bad reaction. It naturally absorbs back into your body over time and encourages the production of collagen that helps to keep skin moisturised and boosts elasticity.

How Long Does Liquid Rhinoplasty Last?

Liquid rhinoplasty usually lasts up to 18 months, with some people still seeing the results after 2 years. Dermal fillers do get slowly broken down by the body over time, so you can book in for ‘top up’ treatments if you feel that you need them. 

And unlike the permanence of surgery, these are reversible treatments available if you find that you prefer your previous appearance.

What’s The Recovery Time?

As a non-surgical procedure, there is no significant downtime with liquid rhinoplasty. You won’t have the black eyes, bruising or swelling associated with surgical nose jobs. 

Minor redness and swelling can occur, but this resolves within 24 hours and full recovery is expected within 1 week. Many clients can go back to work the same day.

Is It Painful?

Thanks to the application of a local anaesthetic, there is little to no pain during your treatment. Most of our patients describe any discomfort as brief and bearable.

You should expect a mild pinching sensation as the needle is inserted. Overall, the discomfort felt is mild in comparison to surgical rhinoplasty.

What Are The Limitations To Liquid Rhinoplasty?

As already mentioned, the results from this procedure are not permanent. Whilst this is a positive for many clients, if you want a more permanent result then liquid rhinoplasty won’t be right for you. 

It’s also important to note, that some things simply can not be achieved with fillers alone. For example, liquid rhinoplasty can’t reduce the size of your nose. But it can give the illusion of a smaller, more symmetrical nose – so the end result is similar

It can not straighten your wonky nose, or make your nose narrower. However, it can make these issues much less noticeable – just take a look at the image below to see the difference.

What Are The Alternatives To Liquid Rhinoplasty?

There are both surgical and non-surgical alternatives available. If you’re not sure which option is right for you, we will be happy to talk you through what’s involved in each. 

Surgical Rhinoplasty

Surgery can be used to:

• Remove a hump on your nose.
• Straighten your nose bridge.
• Re-shape your nose tip.
• Increase/decrease your nostril size.
• Make your nose bigger or smaller.
• Give permanent results.

Surgical rhinoplasty is usually done as an outpatient procedure and you’ll likely receive a general or local anaesthetic because you will need to be asleep for the surgery.

The recovery time is much longer. Patients need to avoid strenuous activity for at least 3-6 weeks and need to wear a nasal splint for the first week. 

Bruising and swelling around the eyes should improve after a few days but can last at least 2 weeks.

Because this type of rhinoplasty often involves chiselling away bone, cutting tissue and stitches, the pain after the procedure will be greater than with non-surgical alternatives.

Nose Threads

Nose threads are another exciting non-surgical procedure that uses dissolvable threads to alter the shape of your nose. These threads act as a scaffolding structure to help contour and shape your nose. 

In addition to creating a structure for your skin to rest on, these sutures are collagen stimulators and kickstart your body’s collagen production, enhancing and prolonging the natural-looking results.

Nose threads usually dissolve within 6-8 weeks,  but the effects can last up to 12 months. You can find out more about nose threads in this blog here.

Is Liquid Rhinoplasty Right For You?

Liquid rhinoplasty is perfect if you want immediate results without the risks of surgery and the inconvenience of recovery downtime. 

And now, with a variety of dermal fillers available, there is greater flexibility that enables us to create the look that you want from your nose.

Typically, our clients that choose liquid rhinoplasty want to alter the appearance of their nose without the invasiveness of undergoing surgery or to ‘test’ out how they will look without the permanent commitment.

The first step is to book a consultation to discuss your options. During the consultation, you can talk about what changes you hope to see, ask any questions and get a detailed explanation of the treatment and its outcomes. 

You can book an appointment at our award-winning clinic in Greenhithe, Kent where we will be happy to discuss the treatments available for you.

You can read a previous blog here all about non-surgical nose jobs vs surgical rhinoplasty here…