If you’ve ever considered getting a rhinoplasty procedure, but don’t want to undergo permanent plastic surgery, there’s a popular noninvasive treatment option you’ve probably seen popping up all over TikTok lately (although, in fairness, has been around for years). It’s called a “liquid nose job,” and it uses hyaluronic acid fillers to give you the final result of a nose job without having to go under the knife and the recovery downtime.
If you’re considering getting the injectable treatment yourself (or are just curious about what it entails), we asked two doctors to help break down all the details. Keep reading below for everything you need to know about the liquid nose job.
What Is a Liquid Nose Job?
Nose filler, or the “liquid rhinoplasty,” is a quick, easy, and convenient way to improve the overall shape and appearance of the nose without surgery. “It’s a noninvasive alternative to plastic surgery, utilizing fillers to reshape your nose and make it look straighter and more symmetrical in minutes,” says board-certified plastic surgeon Steve Fallek, MD.
To get rid of the bump appearance, your doctor will inject the filler into the area around your nose, the tip to give a lifted effect, and (if requested) the bridge of your nose itself. “The most common area and safest place to inject a nose is the middle area of the nose,” says Sheila Farhang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, double-fellowship trained cosmetic surgeon, and reconstructive Mohs micrographic surgeon. “In order to camouflage a dorsal hump, I inject a few microdroplets of a filler above and below the bump to camouflage the bump for a straighter appearance. The other area I inject is the tip of the nose. Adding microdroplets of filler at the tip of the nose gives the appearance that the tip is projected upward instead of downward.”
Dr. Farhang says that even though you’re adding more volume to the nose, it doesn’t cause the nose to look bigger. “We are working with contours and how the light reflects,” she says. “The nose actually disappears into the face when there are less harsh lines.”
Your doctor may also decide to add a touch of a neuromodulator like Botox to the base of your nose to relax the muscle that pulls your nose down when you smile. “Injecting something like Botox or Xeomin works more on the mechanics of the musculature versus volume as filler would,” says Dr. Farhang. “I also inject a few units into the nostril muscle to help decrease the nasal flare, and/or a few units at the tip of the nose if I feel like relaxing those muscles will narrow the tip. These are all very subtle, but a few millimeters can make a difference.”
The liquid nose job process takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and the results are immediate.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Liquid Nose Job?
Dr. Farhang says that the best candidates for a nonsurgical nose job are patients who want to improve their side profile by smoothing out their dorsal bump. A nonsurgical nose job can also help make the tip of the nose appear higher and can improve mild asymmetry. “This procedure is good for those who have a little insecurity about the nose, but are worried about looking completely different after a surgical, permanent procedure.”
It’s important to note the limitations of what a nonsurgical nose job can achieve, though. “What a liquid nose job does not do is narrow the nasal tip, decrease the width of the nose, or actually lift the nose,” Dr. Farhang says. It also can’t fix any internal structural issues like a deviated septum or breathing issues. Essentially, if you want to completely change the shape and size of your nose, a liquid nose job might not do the trick.
Liquid Rhinoplasty Risks
While all injectables come with a slight level of risk, the liquid nose job has some more serious risks associated with it that are important to be aware of before you sign up. “Filler placed in certain areas of the face have a higher risk of issues if the filler gets into a large blood vessel, causing intravascular occlusion,” says Dr. Farhang, adding that the higher risk areas include the forehead, nose, temple, and nasolabial folds (also known as those smile lines around your mouth). “Intravascular occlusion is when the filler gets injected inside of the vessel and essentially blocks blood flow. The blood vessel blockage can cause necrosis of the skin – [meaning] the skin dies and you get scarring – and the worst case scenario is potential loss of vision.”
Are Nose Filler Injections Painful?
While pain is relative depending on each individual person, as well as the area of injection, but most experts agree the liquid nose job shouldn’t be any more painful than a prick. Your practitioner will likely apply numbing cream a few minutes beforehand to help.
How Much Does Liquid Rhinoplasty Cost?
Depending on what state you live in, and where you go to get the procedure, the prices for nose filler can vary. Liquid nose jobs typically cost anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000.
How Long Does a Liquid Nose Job Last?
Results from nose filler can last between nine months to two years, depending on the type of filler that is used during the patient’s treatment.
Can Nose Filler Be Removed?
In short: yes. “Hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Juvéderm products – including Voluma and Volbella – Restylane products, and Belotero can be partially or completely removed with an enzyme called hyaluronidase,” Dr. Fallek says.
How to Find the Right Doctor
Because this procedure comes with a higher risk than your typical filler appointment, it’s important that you find a doctor with the right expertise. You want to look for an advanced, experienced injector, preferably a surgeon who operates on the nose, such as a plastic surgeon or Mohs micrographic dermatologic surgeon.
“Your injector must be familiar with anatomy and safe techniques as well as have the protocols in place in case something happens,” says Dr. Farhang. “You want to ensure your injector doesn’t hide or sugar coat possible side effects, has a plastic surgeon or dermatologist as their medical director (preferably on-site), has a way for you to reach the office after hours, is aware of the signs of intravascular injection, has hyaluronidase at the office, and has a good relationship with an oculoplastic surgeon in case of any ocular emergencies.”
How Should I Prepare For My Nose Filler Appointment?
There is essentially no preparation needed for this treatment. Since every person can respond differently to any type of treatment, for best results and to reduce the risk of complications, most doctors will recommended that you discontinue use of aspirin, omega-3 fatty acids, ibuprofen, and other potential blood thinners three to seven days before treatment.
What to Expect Post-Treatment
After liquid rhinoplasty, you may experience slight pain, swelling, and redness where your injection was inserted. Within a few hours, the injection should start to settle, and by the next day any soreness should be mostly gone. Dr. Farhang says that your injector, as well as the patient, should also be aware of any of the warning signs of the potential side effects after being injected.
“As an injector, I’m looking for any immediate signs of vascular occlusion, such as sudden blanching, or whitening of the skin,” she says. “Another sign is reticulated or lacy bruising that runs along a vessel. Most of this is immediate, however, there can be a delay in the signs. I educate my patients on warning signs, and what to look out for and provide them with my personal contact number.” It’s typical to visit the doctor two weeks after your initial treatment to either add more filler or confirm whether the amount used is the best for long-lasting results.
– Additional reporting by Aviel Kanter
Lindsay Stein is a PS contributor.
Aviel Kanter is the director of branded content for Vox Media and oversees lifestyle content across the portfolio of brands. She manages a team of editors who write articles in the wellness, fitness, beauty, fashion, health, entertaining, pets, and finance categories. She is also a beauty enthusiast and contributes many articles to the POPSUGAR Beauty editorial site.
