Guide

• What is a traditional rhinoplasty?
• What is a liquid rhinoplasty?
• Surgical vs. liquid rhinoplasty: pros and cons
• Liquid vs. surgical rhinoplasty: which is right for me?

In recent years, liquid rhinoplasty using dermal fillers has gained popularity as a non-surgical option to reshape the nose for people who would prefer not to undergo the discomfort and recovery of surgical rhinoplasty. Both procedures can give ideal results to suitable candidates, but prospective patients should research each in depth when considering altering the appearance of their noses. 

Though liquid rhinoplasty can be convenient if you are uncomfortable with surgery, dermal fillers have limitations with how drastically they can change the nose’s appearance. Your concerns may be such that only a traditional rhinoplasty can address them. Below, we’ve provided a deep analysis of the two procedures to assist in your research as you consider the best option for achieving confidence with your nose.

What is a traditional rhinoplasty?

A traditional surgical rhinoplasty can reshape, reconstruct, and restore breathing function in the nose. If you’re unhappy with its appearance, rhinoplasty is a terrific way of permanently enhancing your nose. 

Most patients visit The Kaplan Center for rhinoplasty because they are unhappy with their nose’s size, shape, or profile, whether it be the nostrils, bridge, or tip. Others look into a functional rhinoplasty because a deviated septum is causing them to have difficulty breathing. 

Rhinoplasty can alter the structure of the upper part of the nose, which is bone, and the lower part, which is cartilage. The skin can also be adjusted if causing aesthetic issues. Surgery is done under general anesthesia and can take a few hours based on the extent of the nose reshaping.

We offer two main rhinoplasty techniques at The Kaplan Center. We’ll discuss which you’re more suited for during your consultation.

Open rhinoplasty: 

In this technique, the incisions are made on the edge and tip of your nose and between your nostrils.  Which “opens” up the nose for intensive surgery.

Closed rhinoplasty: 

All incisions are inside your nose, so they’re completely invisible. This approach is more suited to those requiring a less extensive adjustment and is the more common rhinoplasty technique in most aesthetic practices.

What is a liquid rhinoplasty?

Liquid rhinoplasty involves injectable fillers to temporarily change the shape, size, the position of the nasal tip and hide bumps along the bridge of the nose. The volume added by the dermal fillers enhances the shape of the nose, promoting symmetry, balance, and harmony in the overall facial structure.

We prefer to use the following dermal fillers for liquid rhinoplasty:

• Restylane
• Radiesse
• Perlane
• Juvederm

Surgical vs. liquid rhinoplasty: pros and cons

Liquid and surgical rhinoplasty each have their fair share of pros and cons, and it may be helpful to look into them while you consider your options. Examine the advantages and disadvantages of each to determine which seems more reasonable in your situation.

A non-surgical nose job using dermal fillers lets you get the nose you want without the lengthy and painful recovery demanded by surgery. You’ll enjoy the look of your new nose in as little as one hour, but your results won’t be permanent from fillers. Surgical rhinoplasty results will usually last forever. Once you heal from a surgical rhinoplasty, you don’t need to worry about returning for maintenance treatments as you would with filler.

Non-surgical rhinoplasty may seem like the cheaper option, but be aware maintaining your results may cost more over time than surgical rhinoplasty. 

Liquid rhinoplasty has limitations, including the inability to make your nose smaller or correct malformations in the nasal bone. RealSelf mentions that there are many circumstances in which improving the aesthetics of the nose is only achievable through surgery.

The main inconvenience of traditional rhinoplasty is the downtime. Immediately following your surgery, you’ll have swelling and bruising, with throbbing around the nose and eyes, along with a slight headache. We typically prescribe medications to minimize discomfort. You will need to relax in bed and keep your head in a raised position during the first day after your surgery.

After 3-4 days, the swelling and bruising from your surgical rhinoplasty will stabilize and gradually start fading. After two weeks following your rhinoplasty, you will begin to look and feel better. You should avoid exercises and activities that increase your blood pressure during recovery and healing. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, most surgical rhinoplasty patients are able to return to normal activities such as work and light exercise after about 3 weeks.

	Surgical Rhinoplasty	Liquid Rhinoplasty
Pros	Permanent results Invisible scars Low-risk  Reduces the size of the nose Can correct malformations in the nasal bone Can open nasal airways to improve breathing	Short recovery time Immediate results Safe and effective Conceals minor inconsistencies like bumps and dents in the nose
Cons	Lengthy recovery Possible risks surrounding general anesthesia  Final results can take up to a year to show	Cannot correct nasal bone malformations Cannot improve obstructed nasal airways that cause breathing problems Not suitable for nose reduction Results are non-permanent Possibly more expensive in the long run to have maintenance treatments than to have permanent results from surgery

Liquid vs. surgical rhinoplasty: which is right for me?

When deciding whether a liquid or surgical rhinoplasty is suited to what you hope to achieve, there are some factors to consider.  These include the goals, downtime, the cost of each, and how long results take to show and how long they last.

Goals:

Liquid

If you would rather avoid a surgical procedure but want to improve the appearance of your nose, a non-surgical nose job may be a great option to help you feel more confident without any invasive procedures.

If you have mild deformities in your nose, such as a bump on the bridge, they may be able to be concealed by injecting a small amount of filler beneath and above it, near the forehead. Liquid rhinoplasty is suitable for people who aren’t looking to reduce the size of their nose or drastically change its shape but would rather touch up the contour.

Surgical

If you want to permanently improve the shape and structure of your nose for aesthetic or functional purposes, surgical rhinoplasty is the way to go. A surgical nose job can improve:

• The size and shape of the nose and its proportions to other facial features
• The structure of the nasal bones and cartilage
• The profile of the nose, removing any visible humps, bumps, or depressions on the bridge
• A large or bulbous, drooping, or excessively upturned nasal tip
• An asymmetrical appearance of the nose
• Nasal airways, promoting better breathing capabilities

Downtime:

Liquid

As with any filler procedure, you’ll have little to no downtime after your liquid rhinoplasty. You should be back to work and your usual activities the same or the next day of your treatment.

Surgical

After your surgical rhinoplasty, a splint will be placed on your nose to help you breathe normally and support the newly positioned bone and cartilage. The length of your rhinoplasty recovery depends on the extent of your procedure and the type of technique used, but downtime is usually 1 to 2 weeks. 

Cost:

Liquid

The price of your liquid rhinoplasty depends on the type of filler and the amount of product used, but the average cost of a non-surgical nose job at The Kaplan Center is $2,000.

Surgical

Surgical rhinoplasty at The Kaplan Center typically ranges from $9,000 to $11,000 and is based on your surgical requirements.  These can include whether or not skin grafts or septoplasty are necessary.  However, this is a one-time payment, while the non-surgical option would cost approximately $2,000 annually for regular treatments to maintain your results.

Timeline of Results:

Liquid

You’ll be able to see the results of your nose filler immediately but will have some minor swelling for the first day or so.

Surgical

Be aware that swelling takes time to fade after a surgical rhinoplasty. Initial swelling, noticeable to others, will subside within a few weeks, but it may take up to a year for your new nasal contour to fully heal and show the final result.

Longevity of results:

Liquid

The results of your non-surgical rhinoplasty can last up to 16 months, and if you don’t mind returning for regular maintenance treatments every year or so, this may be the option for you. But if you have a busy life and prefer not to require maintenance treatments, a surgical rhinoplasty may be the way to go.

Surgical

If you prefer not to return for yearly filler treatments, you may be happier with the permanent results of surgical rhinoplasty.

If you are considering reshaping your nose, request a consultation with Dr. Gordon Kaplan at The Kaplan Center in New Jersey to discuss whether you’re a better fit for a surgical or non-surgical rhinoplasty.