Liquid Rhinoplasty

Liquid rhinoplasty, or liquid nose job, is a non-surgical alternative to rhinoplasty (nose job).

Strategically placed hyaluronic acid fillers help address nose asymmetry and profile issues such as bumps and droopy tips. Non-surgical rhinoplasty is not suitable for those looking to address uneven nostril size, a deviated septum, broken nose repair or to reduce the size of the nose.

The nose has critical arteries running across it, so it is imperative that you choose a suitably medically qualified and experienced practitioner to carry out your liquid rhinoplasty.

There are over 60 brands of dermal filler available in the UK. The two most commonly used for liquid nose jobs are Restylane Lyft® and Juvéderm Voluma®. These are both hyaluronic acid-based fillers which will last 6-12+ months.

There are products available which can dissolve hyaluronic acid fillers, so the effects of these fillers are not only temporary, but they can be reversed if necessary. The products to dissolve fillers are prescription medicines and must be performed by an expert.

Many dermal filler products are available with the addition of 0.3% lidocaine combined with the hyaluronic acid gel in the syringe. This provides an instant relief from pain upon injection and removes the need for a separate nerve block or topical anaesthesia. However, practitioners want you to feel as comfortable as possible, so you will likely be offered a topical numbing cream or a dental block, depending on the treatment and preference of the practitioner.

This Glowday Treatment Guide has been edited and medically verified by Andrew Rankin.

Liquid rhinoplasty can help address nose asymmetry and profile issues such as bumps and droopy tips.

Non-surgical rhinoplasty is not suitable for those looking to address uneven nostril size, a deviated septum, broken nose repair or to reduce the size of the nose.

As hyaluronic acid-based fillers use a substance already produced by the body, they can be used on all adults.

Depending on the area being injected, the type of filler and the pain relief method being used, clients may find this procedure uncomfortable to mildly painful. Dermal filler injections around the nose and lips are usually the most painful filler treatments. That said, most clients find filler treatments bearable.

You must discuss pain management options with your practitioner and let them know if you are finding the procedure too uncomfortable.

The obvious, immediate and most common side effect is slight bleeding after the needle has been inserted into the skin. Other risks include bruising, tenderness, redness and swelling around the injection site. These signs may take 2-3 days to vanish completely, especially around the lips where there is little flesh and skin is tender.

Occasionally, a ‘bleb’ will occur. This is where the filler has been injected too superficially (close to the surface) and will need to be dissolved.

Rarely, allergic type reactions can occur after a filler treatment. These include prolonged redness, swelling, itching and/or hardness and bumps in the skin. Such signs may appear at some or all injection points. Sometimes, they can last several months or longer, but this is extremely unusual.

Rarely, occlusions occur. This is where filler is accidentally injected into a blood vessel, where it creates a blockage. This presents as whitening of the skin, followed by the area turning greyish-purple. If left untreated, this can result in tissue loss in the affected area. There have been reports of this in lip and nose treatments.

One particular type of occlusion is an ocular occlusion. This is where a blood vessel supplying the eye gets blocked. This results in partial or complete blindness

Obviously, if you exhibit any symptoms of occlusion, you need to seek the advice of your practitioner and/or visit accident and emergency immediately. You will need to be prescribed emergency treatment medicines, which is why it is important that you have access to a practitioner who is able to prescribe medicine.

As with any skin treatment, injections should be avoided in areas where the skin is swollen or where infections are present - e.g. active acne.

If you have a history of cold sores, or fever blisters in the treated area, filler injections may cause them to break out. In these cases, your practitioner may recommend that you take a course of anti-viral medicine before the treatment to help reduce the likelihood of an outbreak.

If you have a known allergy to hyaluronic acid fillers or any of the ingredients in the filler product, you must inform your practitioner. An alternative treatment will need to be carried out.

Dermal fillers have not been tested on pregnant women. No medically qualified practitioner would carry out a filler treatment on a pregnant woman.