Rhinoplasty, popularly known as 'nose job', is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the UK. Data from BAAPS (The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) shows that it was the most popular procedure among men in 2018. Every year, many people in the UK still go under the knife to achieve their ideal aesthetic look or to correct a medical condition
Rhinoplasty can change the shape of your nose, make it smaller or larger, change the angle between your nose and upper lip, narrow your nostrils or change the tip of your nose. It can also correct a birth defect or injury, or make it easier for you to breathe if you have a medical condition. What if you do not have any particular medical problems but are unhappy with the appearance of your nose?
Then a better and safer alternative to a nose job could be liquid rhinoplasty. Cosmetic surgery is not the only way to significantly change the appearance of your nose.
What is liquid rhinoplasty?
Liquid rhinoplasty is the top go-to non-surgical alternative to traditional rhinoplasty. Most people have a surgical nose job to improve their nasal breathing or to correct congenital disabilities. However, if you only want to correct a minor aesthetic blemish, liquid rhinoplasty is the right choice.
If you are wondering what a non-surgical rhinoplasty is, it simply means that no incisions are made on your nose. This is a great relief, especially if you are afraid of surgery, especially on your face.
Liquid Rhinoplasty instead involves injecting dermal fillers into your nose to change its shape. But what exactly are these dermal fillers? Are there different types of injectable fillers used for non-surgical rhinoplasty? How safe are these fillers?
If you are thinking about non-surgical rhinoplasty here in the UK, you are probably asking yourself these questions. Do not worry, I'll give you the answers below so you can make an informed decision.
Types of Dermal Fillers used in Liquid Rhinoplasty
A dermal filler is a gel-like substance injected into the nose to fill or even out slight to moderate imperfections on the bridge of the nose. Most dermal fillers are made of hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance that is naturally produced by our bodies.
Its main function is to bind water so that body tissues are well lubricated and hydrated. Does this mean that the hyaluronic acid used in dermal fillers comes from the human body?
God forbid! No, it does not. The hyaluronic acid used in dermal fillers and many skincare and beauty products such as creams and serums are made from plant sources.
There are many HA injectable fillers on the market. Some of the most popular in the UK include Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus, Intraline M series, Restylane Silk, Restylane Lyft and Voluma.
Advantages of hyaluronic acid fillers
- Since hyaluronic acid (HA) is found in our bodies, especially in the skin and joints, fillers made with HA are compatible with our bodies and can therefore be used safely by most people without unwanted side effects. Hyaluronic acid carries the lowest risk of allergic reaction compared to other kinds of fillers.
- Due to its gel-like nature, your doctor has full control over the amount to be injected and how it is delivered under the skin. This increases the likelihood that you will achieve the desired results after your liquid rhinoplasty. Exact results may vary from patient to patient depending on the skill and experience of the injector, the severity and complexity of the problem and the exact type of filler product used.
Keep in mind the hyaluronic acid fillers are naturally broken down by the body over time. This means that you will need to have follow-up treatments once or twice a year to maintain the look. This is good news if you just want to try the fillers because the effect fades without any long-term risks. This is definitely a big selling point for this alternative to rhinoplasty.
Alternatives to hyaluronic acid dermal fillers
HA Dermal fillers are not the only options. Others include calcium hydroxyapatite, another substance that occurs naturally in our bodies and is found mainly in our bones. It is usually thicker than hyaluronic acid filler and tends to last longer.
However, it is mainly used to smooth out deep wrinkles and folds. Other fillers include poly-L-lactic acid and polymethyl methacrylate. Each of these dermal fillers has unique properties. Therefore, different fillers may be more or less suitable for a particular area of the face.
It is important to consult with an experienced, board-certified dermatologist., cosmetic surgeon or aesthetics doctor like Dr Farmah.
Final Thoughts
Liquid rhinoplasty is a safe and effective way to contour your nose and give it a more appropriate appearance. Here at Dr Aesthetica, this is one of our most popular treatments.
With people increasingly opening up to injectable fillers as an affordable and safe solution for people who do not want to go under the knife, it's important to be very careful when choosing your doctor. With the increasing popularity of non-surgical rhinoplasty, many unqualified people are performing these procedures, resulting in the most botched non-surgical rhinoplasties you find on the internet.
Always work with a registered practitioner and ask them to show you before and after photos of patients, they have worked on. Also, talk to your filler injector about realistic results and your expectations - after all, it's your face and you only have one!
