Most patients seeking rhinoplasty are looking for the surgical variety, but there are other options to assist those who would like to reshape their noses without surgery. Whether you’re opting for a surgical or nonsurgical rhinoplasty can depend on many factors. Some patients who are not suitable candidates for surgical rhinoplasty can find nonsurgical options that work for them. Other patients might use nonsurgical treatments to try out a new look before seeking the permanent changes of surgical rhinoplasty. Learn about both cosmetic options to decide which is the right choice for you.
The Surgical Rhinoplasty Procedure
Rhinoplasty is a surgical reshaping of the nose, typically performed on an elective basis to correct cosmetic issues. Because the nose is such a central and prominent feature of the face, rhinoplasty surgeries are a very popular option. The changes that can be made to improve the nose surgically can be dramatic, effective, and just what the patient wants to achieve. Rhinoplasty surgeries can correct noses that are too narrow, too wide, too pointy, too rounded, too big, too small, too crooked, too straight, bumpy, or disproportionate with the patient’s face. Patients opt for a surgical rhinoplasty over a nonsurgical one for many reasons:
- A desire to achieve permanent results.
- To correct structural deformities that nonsurgical treatment cannot.
- To address functional concerns.
- A need to fix several different concerns at once.
- A desire to balance the face with an improved nasal profile.
The rhinoplasty procedure is performed under local anesthesia and IV sedation or under general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the surgery and the patient’s needs. It typically takes anywhere from one to three hours to complete a rhinoplasty procedure. Incisions are concentrated inside the nose, but a small inverted V-shaped incision may be required on the small piece of skin between your nostrils. If the surgery involves changes to the nostril size, additional incisions may be needed in the outside creases of your nostrils. All of these external incisions will be well concealed so they can heal without leaving noticeable scars. With the incisions in place, the nose is then reshaped as the doctor sculpts the cartilage, bone, and soft tissues of the nose to achieve the desired results.
Following the rhinoplasty surgery, there is a period of recovery needed to ensure that the changes to the nose heal properly. Patients typically experience some bruising and swelling, but not a large amount of pain or discomfort. Your plastic surgeon will give you specific instructions to follow that can help you minimize bruising, maximize comfort, and expedite the healing process. As the swelling and bruising subside, you will begin to be able to return to your regular daily activities and start to enjoy the results of your surgery.
The Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty Procedure
A nonsurgical version of a rhinoplasty may seem impossible, but plastic surgeons do have ways to simulate the results you would get from surgery without using a single scalpel. A nonsurgical rhinoplasty involves dermal filler injections to correct the cosmetic concerns you have with your nose. There are many reasons that a patient might seek this nonsurgical alternative:
- Ineligibility for surgery for health concerns or anesthesia trouble.
- Uncomfortable with the idea of surgery.
- Unsure that surgery can deliver the right results.
- Desire to try out a new look before committing to surgery.
- Need for instant results.
- Inability to commit to a long recovery period.
- Correcting issues leftover from or caused by a previous surgery.
The nonsurgical rhinoplasty is performed as an office procedure using only local anesthesia. There is no recovery time associated with this procedure, the risks are extremely rare and very minimal, and the results will begin to take effect immediately. Typically, your plastic surgeon will use dermal filling agents such as Juvederm or Restylane to perform this procedure.
Dermal fillers are a safe and effective way to restore volume to targeted areas of the face, with results varying based on the filler chosen. During a nonsurgical rhinoplasty, dermal fillers will be used to help reshape the spots on your nose that are a concern. Adding volume can help to create the illusion of a wider nose, a straighter nose, or a rounder tip of the nose. Discuss the various strategies available to you as a nonsurgical rhinoplasty patient during your consultation with your plastic surgeon.
Pick Your Procedure with a Pro
Contact a board certified, trusted plastic surgeon to discuss your options for rhinoplasty or nonsurgical rhinoplasty and whether you’re a good candidate. Head to Renu Med Spa to speak with founder and Medical Director Dr. Philip Schoenfeld, a board certified facial plastic surgeon. He has a special interest in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, having practiced in Washington, DC since 1994. A proven track record for excellence and a personal dedication to excellence and aesthetics have earned him a significant reputation among his peers. He was voted one of America’s Top Doctors in 2013 by Castle Connolly. Contact the Renu Med Spa, located at 5454 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 1625 in Chevy Chase, Maryland, by calling (301) 652-RENU-7368. Book your appointment with Dr. Schoenfeld today to see which type of rhinoplasty is the right choice for you.