What are nose fillers?

Nose fillers are a type of non-invasive cosmetic procedure used to augment and improve the appearance of one’s nose. It is one of the 2 procedures known as “Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty” (the other being the Nose Thread Lift procedure) as it allows one to achieve similar results as traditional Rhinoplasty (a nose job) without going under the knife.

How do nose fillers work?

Nose fillers, as the name suggests, work by injecting certain substances to fill out dents and bumps along the nose bridge or nose tip to enhance the appearance of the nose. This can be used to make a small nose bigger or “straighten” a hooked nose. In the latter, it is sometimes possible create the illusion of a smaller nose when the nose bridge is strategically “straightened”.

Nose fillers can be classified into 2 main types. The non-permanent ones are commonly hyaluronic acid based. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in the human body in the joints and under the skin. Hence, it is highly bio-compatible and relatively risk-free when injected into the body. These typically last for about 6 to 10 months before the body naturally breaks them down. Hyaluronic acid fillers are usually reversible by injecting the enzyme hyaluronidase to digest the filler if the results are unsatisfactory or there are some minor complications.

The second type of nose fillers are the semi-permanent ones, such as calcium hydroxyapatite, which is a mineral naturally found in human bone. These fillers typically last for 10 to 14 months, and are usually firmer than non-surgical ones, and hence are less likely to distort post-procedure. However, as the name suggests, semi-permanent fillers are usually non-reversible. If results are unsatisfactory or complications occur, patients can usually only wait for the body to naturally break down the filler or go for surgery.

Procedure

During the consultation, the doctor will examine the structure of the patients nose and face, before discussing expectations with the patient. Once mutual understanding is reached, the doctor will prepare and inject the desired filler based on the patient’s expectations. There may be multiple injections depending on the patient and his/her expectations. The doctor may then lightly massage and sculpt the nose as required. The patient can usually be discharged after resting for several minutes.

Numbing cream will be applied to your face prior to the injection to minimise discomfort felt during the procedure

Possible risks/complications

In some cases, the injected nose filler can spread to unintended areas and cause the nose bridge to look very wide (sometimes known as the “Avatar nose”). This can usually be prevented with good post-care after the treatment. If a non-permanent filler is used, it can usually be reverted harmlessly with by injecting a corresponding enzyme to digest the filler. If a semi-permanent filler is used, a surgery might be required to correct the complication.

Also, if poor technique is used, it is possible to accidentally inject the nose filler into the blood vessels supplying the surrounding tissue and the eyes, clogging them and causing necrosis (tissue death) and blindness.

Therefore, it is very important for one to seek out highly skilled and experienced doctors in Singapore to minimise these risks and achieve the most satisfying results.

FAQ

How long does the procedure take?

The procedure typically takes around 20 to 40 minutes

Is the procedure painful?

The doctor will usually apply numbing cream before the injection to reduce discomfort, so the procedure should be relatively painless.

Is there any downtime?

There is typically no downtime for a nose filler procedure. There may be some mild bruising and soreness at the injection site, but these will usually subside in a few days.

What should I take note of before the procedure?

Be sure to convey your expectations clearly to the doctor during the consultation session in order to him to perform the procedure accurately and produce the best results.

What should I take note of after the procedure?

You should avoid wearing any sunglasses and replace corrective glasses with contact lenses for several days after the procedure to allow the nose fillers to settle and prevent distortion.

Similarly, avoid putting excessive force/weight on your nose (such as blowing your nose too hard) for several days.

I do not want to use nose fillers/I have done nose fillers before and are dissatisfied with the results. Are there any alternatives to augment/improve the appearance of my nose?

For a similar non-invasive procedure, you can consider the Ultra V Hiko Nose Thread Lift. This is another non-surgical procedure to sculpt the nose which works differently compared to nose fillers. The main differences are as follows:

	Nose fillers	Nose Thread Lift
Pros	Effective at adding volume, raising the nose bridge More precise Highly reversible if non-permanent fillers are used	Effective at general re-sculpting of the nose Does not spread to the sides or broaden the nose Firmer than nose fillers, less chance of distortion Complications are usually less severe
Cons	If poor technique is used, may cause necrosis and blindness Semi-permanent options are not easily reversible May not be enough for lifting nose tips in certain cases	If poor technique is used, threads can extrude out of the skin and cause inflammation/infection May be costlier depending on the desired effect Less precise
You can come down for a consultation session with our experienced doctors in Singapore. They will assess your condition and expectations to recommend the most suitable procedure for you. Alternatively, if you do not mind going under the knife, you may consider Surgical Rhinoplasty for more pronounced and permanent results.

Want to chat?

Social

Nose Fillers in Singapore: A Non-Surgical Way to Enhance Your Nose Shape