Surgical Vs Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty: Which One Is For You?
Being the centrepiece on our faces, our noses are probably the first or second feature that people notice when they look at us. That being said, altering or enhancing the shape, size and location of our nose can completely transform our appearance.
Unfortunately, Asians are known for having a lower nose bridge, a wider base of the nose and having a bulbous tip as compared to Caucasians. While a surgical rhinoplasty used to be the only way to enhance the shape of the nose, there are now non-surgical alternatives including the use of dermal fillers or thread lifts to sculpt and define the nose.
Altering or enhancing the shape, size and location of your nose can either complement the rest of your facial features or dim their beauty. If you are looking to get a more defined nose, here is what you need to know about surgical and non-surgical rhinoplasty and which is the best treatment for you.
Surgical rhinoplasty
In essence: surgical rhinoplasty is a nose job that is performed to enhance the shape of the nose so that it harmoniously balances with the rest of your facial features. It typically involves altering the cartilage and/or bones of the nose to achieve a new shape and size.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, rhinoplasty was the top-ranked surgical procedure in 2020. Depending on your goals and what you are looking to achieve, there are multiple techniques that doctors can utilize including an open or closed rhinoplasty, septorhinoplasty or rhino-tip surgery.
While many people undergo rhinoplasty for functional problems such as a deviated septum, there are also a group of patients that does so to achieve their aesthetic goals.
In summary, here is what a surgical rhinoplasty can do:
- Reduce the size or width of the nose
- Slim or reduce nostril flares
- Reshape the nose tip and improve the nose profile
- Increase or reduce the bridge height
- Smoothen any nose humps
- Correct a crooked, hooked or upturned nose
Undergoing a surgical rhinoplasty can not only help to correct a birth defect or improve breathing difficulties but also achieve better nasal symmetry. One of the biggest advantages of a surgical procedure is that it addresses all the structural and functional aspects of the nose.
So, how does the non-surgical rhinoplasty compare?
Non-surgical rhinoplasty: dermal fillers and thread lifts
Non-surgical rhinoplasty, otherwise commonly known as “liquid rhinoplasty”, is the term used when fillers are used to enhance and shape the nose. Dermal fillers are not new to aesthetics, and the most common fillers used are hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers such as Restylane and Juvéderm that are injected into specific areas of the nose to achieve desired effects.
Since it is a non-surgical procedure, it comes with less downtime, fewer side effects and less discomfort than a surgical rhinoplasty – making it a popular choice for people who are afraid of going under the knife or want natural-looking results done in less than an hour.
A newer form of non-surgical rhinoplasty, otherwise known as the “lunchtime nose job” is the nose thread lift. In fact, thread lifts present the perfect middle ground for those who want to enhance their nose without having to go through a long recovery period. This is because the treatment uses 100% bio-compatible threads that are much safer than fillers since it doesn’t run the risk of vascular complications.
The nose threads themselves are covered in cogs, barbs that don’t just anchor the skin but also stimulates collagen and tissue fibroblasts in the surrounding tissues to produce a long-lasting volumizing effect.
The procedure takes roughly 15-45 minutes and side effects such as some redness and swelling are expected. In about 9-12 months after the treatment, the threads would dissolve naturally and most people will see sustained results due to the collagen-production effects that last up to 18 months.
Depending on the thread that is used and their characteristics (length, thickness and presence of barbs), different effects can be produced and the results differ. Our aesthetic clinic offers Ultra V Hiko Nose Threadlift which are FDA-approved, clinically proven to work and performed using the most advanced techniques to carry out your treatment.
In general, 6-12 threads may be used for lifting the nose bridge. A nose thread lift costs roughly $1200 to $2000 in Singapore depending on several factors including the type of threads used like PDO or PCL threads.
Which option is the best for you?
The most obvious advantage of non-surgical rhinoplasties is in their faster recovery time, minimal downtime and fewer adverse side effects. For instance, the initial healing period for a surgical rhinoplasty can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks.
Instead of comparing them side by side, it is better to decipher what is it you wish to achieve and then choose a treatment that is designed to target that area.
Below is a summary of where each procedure shines:
- Dermal fillers: works best for volumizing and achieving height, or helping to smoothen small dorsal humps.
- Thread lifts: works best for creating a slimmer, straighter nose and sharp nose tip.
- Surgical rhinoplasty: works best for those who want dramatic and permanent results, or people with crooked or deviated noses and want to reduce the size of their nose.
Also, note that those who had surgical rhinoplasties before are not candidates for nose thread lifts. This is why it is better to consider all your options before deciding to go for a surgical rhinoplasty.
Both dermal fillers and threads lifts can also be used in combination to enhance the effects and create long-lasting effects. At our clinic, we like to combine thread lifts with the addition of injectables like Profhilo, Rejuran Healer or Restylane for synergistic results.
Remember: any procedure that is done in the wrong hands can lead to undesirable results that worsen the appearance of the nose. For example, surgical rhinoplasties should be designed to be proportionate to the rest of your facial features as incorrect techniques can lead to an unnatural looking nose and unnecessary narrowing of the nostrils. In addition, using the wrong number of nose threads and the wrong type of filler can result in visible dents or bumps appearing and subpar results respectively.
At the end of the day, non-surgical nose jobs can only “add”, not “subtract”, and a traditional surgical rhinoplasty is still the gold standard for nose augmentation. As a complex surgical process that produces permanent results, it is essential to choose an experienced and highly trained surgeon who is familiar with working with Asian noses.
The Clifford Clinic Difference
Every individual’s nose anatomy is unique and different nose shapes will be better suited for different procedures and respond differently. This is why our aesthetic doctors offer all three options: dermal fillers, thread lifts and surgical rhinoplasty to broaden the possibilities that you can achieve and provide sound recommendations.
Our doctors are also the first to bring the Ultra V Hiko Nose Thread Lift to Singapore. As the pioneers and leaders of the procedure, they are highly experienced in performing this revolutionary nose thread lift technique. They also possess years of training in conducting surgical rhinoplasties and have deep knowledge in face and neck anatomy to ensure you achieve optimal results without compromising your safety.
Any of these procedures, when done correctly, can improve the appearance and proportion of your nose as well as enhance self-confidence. At The Clifford Clinic, we offer a wide range of aesthetic treatments and procedures such as acne treatment and laser acne scar removal, on top of hair transplants – contact us today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how you can become a better you!