Surgical Rhinoplasty vs. Non-Surgical: What’s Best for You?

By Dr. Rohan Joshi

When it comes to making changes to your nose, it’s important to understand as much as you can about your options. Many Houston patients prefer surgical rhinoplasty, while others can benefit most from non-surgical rhinoplasty. Which option is best for you?

Surgical Rhinoplasty

Surgical rhinoplasty involves creating incisions through which a surgeon alters the cartilage, bone, and/or soft tissue of the nose. This allows for subtle permanent changes to the nasal architecture, correcting a wide variety of aesthetic and functional issues.

This procedure can be performed as either closed or open rhinoplasty. During closed rhinoplasty, no external excisions are made on the nose. Instead, tiny incisions are made in the nostrils, and the surgery is performed through them. This offers the benefit of completely concealed post-surgical marks.

During open rhinoplasty, a small incision is made across the columella. The columella is the section of external skin between the nostrils. The skin of the nose is then carefully lifted, allowing the surgeon greater access. Once the procedure is complete, the skin is redraped over the nose’s new contours.

Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty

Non-surgical rhinoplasty, also called liquid rhinoplasty, is a type of nose job that doesn’t involve any scalpels or incisions. Instead, it features precise, strategic injections of soft-tissue dermal fillers into key areas of the nose. These injections increase volume, which can be used to even out uneven areas or create new support.

Fillers that can be used in non-surgical rhinoplasty include Restylane, Revanesse, Juvederm, Belotero, and RHA. These fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid (HA), which is naturally found in the human body. HA bonds with water molecules to create instant volume.

At the start of liquid rhinoplasty, once the skin is cleansed, topical or local anesthesia may be administered to ensure patient comfort. The injections are then delivered, and after that, the treatment is complete.

Which Rhinoplasty Option Is Best for Me?

Your best rhinoplasty option will depend on your needs and goals, since each procedure offers its own benefits and drawbacks.

Treatment of Aesthetic Issues

Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty: This procedure can be used to treat:

• Asymmetries
• Wide or narrow nostrils
• A crooked nose
• A pinched or overly wide nasal bridge
• An overly large nose
• A nasal hump
• A nasal tip that is overly square or round, too wide or small, or sagging

Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty: This treatment can address:

• Asymmetries
• A nasal hump
• A nasal tip that sags

Treatment of Functional Issues

• Surgical Rhinoplasty: This nasal surgery procedure can be used to correct breathing issues by resolving anatomical blockages of the nasal passages.
• Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty: This treatment is unable to address functional issues.

Procedure Duration

• Surgical Rhinoplasty: This procedure usually takes 2 to 4 hours to perform, depending on the complexity of the case.
• Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty: This treatment typically takes about 30 minutes, making it a quick and convenient procedure.

Recovery

• Surgical Rhinoplasty: Since it is an invasive procedure, full recovery can take about 4 to 6 weeks. A degree of bruising, swelling, pain, and discomfort will be present for a time. Time off from work will be required.
• Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty: Since it is a minimally invasive injection-based treatment, no recovery period is needed, and patients can return to their daily schedule immediately. Minor bruising, swelling, or redness may be present and will fade shortly.

When Results Can Be Seen

• Surgical Rhinoplasty: While initial results may be visible immediately, swelling and bruising can obscure the full results. Once these issues have completely faded, final results will be apparent. Residual swelling may persist for up to 12 months.
• Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty: Final results will be noticeable once all swelling has faded and the fillers have fully integrated, which will take at most two to four weeks.

Duration of Results

• Surgical Rhinoplasty: The results are permanent.
• Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty: Results may last anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the specific dermal fillers that were injected, their locations, and their amounts. Maintenance treatments will be available.

Reversibility of Results

• Surgical Rhinoplasty: Results can be altered or enhanced through revision rhinoplasty surgery.
• Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty: Results can be reversed with a hyaluronidase agent, which contains an enzyme that dissolves hyaluronic acid fillers.

Schedule Your Consultation

To find out which rhinoplasty option is best for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Rohan Joshi at our Houston, TX, clinic. Dr. Joshi is an experienced facial and reconstructive plastic surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ABO-HNS). Contact us today to arrange your personalized consultation.