The nose is the focal point of the face, and for many, the first thing they notice when they see someone. If you feel like your nose is getting the wrong attention, there are options for making a change that you’ll love. Rhinoplasty, derm fillers and thread lifts are all possibilities for fixing the issues that bother you. Which one is right for you? We’ll break down the pros for each procedure.
Rhinoplasty is a surgical option and permanent fix for people who feel their nose is overpowering their facial features. If your nose is crooked, pointed, too large, too small or too bulbous, rhinoplasty can change its shape. If you’re having problems with a deviated septum, breathing issues or the after-effects of an injury or birth defect, this surgery can provide a solution and relief. The structure of the top portion of the nose is bone, while the lower section is cartilage. A benefit of rhinoplasty is that it can change cartilage, bone, skin or all three.
To perform rhinoplasty, general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation is required. Each operation is unique, depending upon the goal but it may be executed through a small external cut at the base of your nose or inside your nose. Readjustments of the cartilage and bone under the skin are typical. Small changes or large adjustments can be performed.
As rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure, recovery time is needed. Expect swelling, bleeding and congestion. Strenuous activities are to be avoided for a few weeks. Don’t wear eyeglasses or sunglasses that rest on your nose for a month to avoid putting pressure on your nose. Use SPF 30 sunscreen to prevent irregular discoloration in the skin of your nose. The results can take up to a year to be fully formed, as swelling can take a long time to dissipate, so a second surgery would have to wait for a year to be performed if needed.
Dermal fillers can give patients a non-surgical nose job by enhancing the shape of the nose or straightening the nasal bridge. As the injection is limited normally to the sides and top of the nose rather than the tip or the base, the results can make the nose look smaller in the frame of the face and more proportional. For non-surgical rhinoplasty, hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane, Juvederm and Radiesse are utilized. This option is perfect for someone who wants to fix issues like a flat nose bridge or an ill-defined nose tip. The provider is able to better sculpt the nose precisely, reduce dents and minimize the appearance of a bump on the bridge. Because of the materials used, a filler nose lift is able to lift the nose tip better than a thread lift and add height to the bridge. It is also ideal for correcting a prior surgical procedure to redefine your appearance.
The procedure itself can take up to a half-hour. As it is non-invasive, there is no recovery time. There is less risk and side effects but the results are visible and life-changing. A follow-up visit a week after the procedure is normal. The results aren’t permanent but have been extremely useful in fine-tuning rhinoplasty surgeries that need extra work. The results last up to 12 to 18 months with repeat treatments boosting that duration.
MINT PDO thread lift is an effective and safe procedure that pulls sagging skin to the position desired using a suture that is absorbed into the body. Minimally invasive, this non-surgical procedure has been affectionately called a “lunchtime nose job” as it can be performed in less than an hour and needs minimal downtime for recovery. A local anesthetic is used to numb the area and fine threads are placed along the bridge of the nose under the skin. The threads break down and are absorbed by the body in 6 to 8 months. The threads have been used in surgical procedures for the past 3 decades, so they’re very safe. Results can last 1 to 2 years.
A nose thread lift is great for anyone who has an off-center nose or an ill-defined bridge. If your nose tip is big or you have a wide nose, a thread lift may be for you. This procedure lifts the nose tip, helps with nose contouring and will give you a slimmer nose bridge. Combining a nose thread lift with nose filler can be the ideal way to get a definitive structure with a long-lasting lift.
Call 646.362.5245 to make an appointment with double-board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jennifer Levine to discuss your options.
