Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty—What is the Difference?

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your nose, you may be interested in a surgical rhinoplasty or non-surgical or “liquid” rhinoplasty. Neither option is for everyone but a liquid rhinoplasty can be an excellent choice for the right candidate. Please read below to learn the difference between surgical and non-surgical rhinoplasty.

Who is a Candidate for a Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty?

Candidates for non-surgical rhinoplasty have more subtle concerns about the appearance of their nose and are not ready for surgery. They may have hesitations about making long-lasting changes to the appearance of their nose or simply wish to avoid anesthesia and downtime. In many cases, patients choose a non-surgical rhinoplasty to see whether they like the results before committing to the permanent results of a surgery.

Non-surgical rhinoplasty works by carefully injecting dermal fillers into the nose in areas of deficiency to create a more refined and defined appearance. Fillers like Juvéderm Voluma and Restylane Lyft can be carefully administered to disguise a bump on the nasal bridge or other contour problems. These fillers can also be used to build up the nasal bridge, creating a narrower appearance, or refine the tip and create more tip definition and rotation. Botox can be used for some patients to adjust the rotation of the nasal tip as well.

Patients should keep in mind that non-surgical rhinoplasty should only be performed by highly trained plastic surgeons as the nasal area is highly vascular and intravascular injections, although rare, can lead to significant complications. For this reason, it is important to choose an experienced rhinoplasty expert and plastic surgeon such as Dr. Walker to perform a liquid rhinoplasty.

When is a Surgical Rhinoplasty Necessary?

Surgical rhinoplasty is always the better option if the patient has functional problems (difficulty breathing through the nose)  in addition to cosmetic concerns. Patients with congenital abnormalities or breathing problems such as a deviated septum cannot improve the function of their nose without surgery.

Traditional surgical rhinoplasty is also necessary if patients are looking for permanent results. Some dermal fillers can last up to 2 years, but surgical rhinoplasty results should last a lifetime. This allows patients to enjoy their results long-term without worrying about scheduling additional procedures.

Finally, patients should understand that a non-surgical nose job cannot make the nose smaller as volume is carefully added through the administration of fillers. Many patients choose rhinoplasty because they feel that their nose is overall too large, and may have concerns about the nostrils, nasal tip, or nasal bridge in particular. In some cases, adding dermal filler to the bridge of the nose can create the appearance of it being narrower, but surgical rhinoplasty is necessary if patients want a smaller nose overall.

Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty: Comparing Cost

A non-surgical rhinoplasty is typically cheaper than a surgical option. However, because the results are not permanent in a non-surgical rhinoplasty, patients will require additional maintenance injections to keep up the new look of their nose. This cost can add up over time, leading some patients to favor the one-time investment of a surgical nose job, which in the long-run is the cheaper option. Overall, this is a personal choice which will vary from patient-to-patient.

Schedule a Consultation

The best way to truly decide whether a surgical or non-surgical nose job is right for you is to schedule a consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon. During your consultation, Dr. Walker will evaluate your concerns, personal preferences, and examine to discuss the various options with you to formulate a personalized treatment plan with you. Schedule your consultation by calling (470) 900-FACE (3223) or contacting us online.