While surgical rhinoplasty (aka nose job) remains the gold standard and most effective way to change the appearance of the nose permanently, it carries with it recovery from a surgical procedure. A Washington DC non-surgical rhinoplasty (aka Non-Invasive Nose Job) can be a quick procedure performed in the office to transform the nose and resolve unwanted bumps, nasal asymmetries, and droopy tips without the risk and recovery of a standard rhinoplasty procedure. Dr. Michael Somenek is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who is an expert at rhinoplasty procedures. He routinely lectures worldwide, discussing his techniques for nonsurgical rhinoplasty. He believes that only someone with an in-depth understanding should be injecting the nose due to the complex nasal anatomy and overall safety for the patient. Dr. Somenek will typically recommend a hyaluronic acid filler, such as Restylane or Juvederm, to be used in the nose.
What is a Non-surgical Rhinoplasty?
A non-surgical rhinoplasty is an injection procedure using dermal filler to augment certain regions of the nose. It can be used to camouflage a hump on the profile or other imperfections that are seen throughout the nose. It can also be useful in someone who has had a previous rhinoplasty and would like to address certain imperfections that don’t necessarily require a revision surgical procedure.
How is the Procedure Performed?
Dr. Somenek will first perform a thorough evaluation to determine if you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. He will then place numbing cream on the nose for topical anesthesia. The nasal skin is then cleansed with an antiseptic solution. Dr. Somenek then uses a hyaluronic acid filler to gradually and precisely address the problem areas of the nose including the profile and other irregularities that are noted during examination. There is usually minimal pain and little risk of bruising and swelling. The procedure takes less than 15 minutes and will leave you with a straighter, better defined, more symmetric, and more proportional nose.
Other Products to Use for a Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty
Radiesse is a reliable and safe dermal filler rhinoplasty and is composed of calcium hydroxyapatite. It is temporary and has a similar longevity to hyaluronic acid. It is not reversible, but it is thicker than any other filler, and Dr. Somenek uses it to lift tips or raise bridges that cannot be lifted or raised with hyaluronic fillers. During your comprehensive consultation, you will decide with Dr. Somenek which filler is the one for you. None of these fillers require allergy testing, and they will not migrate or lump up within the tissues. They become integrated into the tissues and create soft contours throughout the nose. These fillers will eventually become broken down and resorbed by the body over time.
While there are other dermal fillers available on the market, Dr. Somenek does not recommend using these in a local non-surgical rhinoplasty. One of the products is Bellafill, which is a semi-permanent product containing polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) that Dr. Somenek uses in other areas of the face. The main reason that Dr. Somenek does not support injecting this product in the nose is that he believes that if the patient decides to undergo a full procedure at a later point, this increases their risk of complications and infection postoperatively. Bellafill does require skin testing to ensure that you don’t have a sensitivity to the bovine collagen within the product.
Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty Before & After
How Long Does the Filler Last?
Most of the fillers that are used have been shown to last around 8-12 months. However, the filler will gradually resorb over time, and the dorsal hump may become more noticeable. This may require additional filler even though some filler may still be present.
Dr. Somenek will determine how much filler is still present in the nose. If a hyaluronic acid filler is used, Dr. Somenek will inject hyaluronidase, which can dissolve the dermal filler completely. This will restore the contours and appearance of the nose prior to your surgical procedure to ensure you get an optimal result.
Risks Associated with a Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty
Like any injectable procedure, there are risks associated with a non-surgical nose job. Bleeding, infection, and bruising are the most common. Dr. Somenek is an expert rhinoplasty specialist who understands nasal anatomy and has treated hundreds of noses with this procedure. It is extremely important to have an injector with a complete understanding of the nose to minimize additional complications associated with a non-surgical rhinoplasty.
Hyaluronic acid is the recommended dermal filler for the nose. When this is injected, it attracts water and can transiently cause a small amount of swelling to the nose. Dr. Somenek provides a comprehensive checklist to follow, which will minimize the overall amount of swelling after your procedure.
Can a Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty Narrow my Nose?
This procedure is most useful for concealing irregularities throughout the nose, such as a dorsal hump or minor tip asymmetries. However, it cannot narrow the nasal bones or the nostrils, both of which require surgical treatment.
Read what our patients are saying!
"Dr. Somenek and his staff have been fantastic. They’re all very warm and welcoming, and I’ve felt taken care of and informed every step of the way. The results have all been even better than I anticipated and also look completely natural…"
Click here to read more reviews.
Am I a Candidate for a Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty?
You can be a candidate for a non-surgical rhinoplasty if you are someone who has issues breathing due to the structure of their nose or a deviated septum or nasal tip. If you are also someone who simply wants to improve or change the appearance of your nose, you may be a candidate. Candidates should be in overall good health and non-smokers before beginning their procedure.
Contraindications to a non-surgical rhinoplasty are individuals who have underlying health conditions, bleeding disorders, and sensitivity or allergies to ingredients in injectable fillers. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you may not qualify as a candidate.
Will I Need Follow-Up Treatments After My First Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty?
Non-surgical rhinoplasty results can be expected to last between 12 to 18 months. Some patients may need multiple filler injections to maintain their look within this time frame. However, we recommend patients wait one to two weeks to allow the previous treatment to settle before undergoing a follow-up procedure.
What Are the Benefits of a Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty?
From improving their nose to no scarring, a non-surgical rhinoplasty provides many patients who are not ready to commit to full surgery. The benefits of non-surgical rhinoplasty include:
- Faster recovery time in comparison to a surgical rhinoplasty procedure
- Often less expensive
- No scarring
- Only slight discomfort associated with treatment
- Results that last up to one year or longer
- Reduced risk of complications that can come from surgery
- The appearance of the nose can be easily corrected or improved
Talk to Us About a Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty in Washington, DC
If you have further questions regarding a non-surgical rhinoplasty in Washington, DC, please call or contact our office today to schedule your initial consultation.
Check out some of our work with these before and after galleries for non-surgical rhinoplasty.
