Let's talk about a liquid nose job. Yes, they are a real thing, with real results if you're going for a subtle change.
Maybe you want to smooth out that bump on your nose or make the end a little less pointy, but the thought of going under the knife for a nose job—or rhinoplasty—has caused you to put that idea on the shelf.
That's why we love the idea of a temporary, non-committal liquid nose job.
What is a Liquid Nose Job?
A liquid nose job is done in an office, it involves little to no downtime, and you can see the results immediately. It mostly uses dermal fillers, which dissolve after time.
It's much different from a traditional nose job, which is a surgical procedure done under anesthesia in a hospital and requires weeks or even months of recovery.
Your face may remain swollen for weeks and it will take time to see what your new nose will look like. Whereas with a liquid nose job, the results are almost instant, with practically zero down time.
How Does a Liquid Nose Job Work?
A liquid nose job uses dermal fillers, which are injected under the skin, to improve the shape of the nose.
Botox, which is not a filler but a neurotoxin, can also be used to address issues like a droopy tip.
Did you know that our noses change as we age?
As we grow older our skin loses collagen and gets thinner. Our noses start to lose volume and begin to look sharper and more angular.
The result can age us and make us look less youthful.
A study published in the Aesthetic Medical Journal used computer software to show how a rhinoplasty made people look as much as three years younger.
What Can a Liquid Nose Job Correct?
Fillers can help soften angles, camouflage a bump, or fill a depression to give the nose a straighter, fuller appearance.
A liquid nose job can’t make the nose smaller, however. A surgical rhinoplasty would be required for that.
But it’s great for addressing minor imperfections that don’t warrant a surgical rhinoplasty.
How Many People Get Nose Jobs Every year?
The nose plays a huge role in attractiveness, and being unhappy with one’s nose can affect a person’s self esteem.
Every year, half a million people seek a consultation on changing the appearance of their nose.
Rhinoplasty is the number one plastic surgery procedure performed in the U.S., with 352,555 rhinoplasties performed in 2020.
Interestingly, it is the number one procedure among both men and women, but women get their noses done far more than men.
Not surprising, since a new study of facial satisfaction that surveyed more than 10,000 individuals, showed that women were overall less satisfied with their faces, and their nose and shape of their face specifically.
Among those who opted to get their nose done, the satisfaction rate was higher among women, with 87 percent of women reporting that they were happy with the results.
And those who had a rhinoplasty were rated as significantly more attractive by others than those who hadn’t.
How Long Does a Liquid Nose Job Last?
The results of a liquid nose job are not permanent.
Most fillers are made up of hyaluronic acid, which is naturally produced by your body, and they dissolve over time.
The results of a liquid nose job can last anywhere from four months to three years.
So, it’s a good way to “test drive” reshaping your nose before committing to permanent changes with a surgical rhinoplasty.
If you are unhappy with the results of your liquid nose job—or you experience any complications—you can have the filler dissolved.
Although, be aware that may require several treatments over the course of weeks or even months to completely dissolve it.
How Much Does a Liquid Nose Job Cost?
A liquid nose job is also less expensive than a surgical rhinoplasty.
A surgical rhinoplasty can cost between $5,000 and $15,000, According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
A liquid nose job costs between $600 and $1,500, with an average cost of around $1,000.
What Are the Risks of a Liquid Nose Job?
Like with any surgical or cosmetic procedure, there is always the potential risk of complications.
The nose has a complicated web of small arteries and veins that connect with the eyes.
If the filler is injected improperly, and into an artery or comes so close it compresses it, cutting off the blood supply, it can result in vascular occlusion.
That can lead to tissue necrosis, and blindness.
Less serious complications that could occur include:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Filler migration, creating a “wavy” or “overfilled” look
- Nausea
- Allergic reaction
Fortunately, complications are reportedly rare with liquid nose jobs.
In a 2019 study of 150 people who got nonsurgical nose jobs, only 1.82 percent experienced a complication.
One way to minimize the risk of complications is to make sure the provider you choose has plenty of experience and training using dermal fillers to perform liquid nose jobs.
Conclusion
If you have been unhappy with the look of your nose, now you know your options for reshaping it.
A liquid nose job can be an inexpensive option to give you a new look for a time, and if you are happy with what you see, you can consider making the changes permanent.
You never know, that new nose might just be the boost you needed!
