Non-surgical nose job: the 15 minute alternative to going under the knife

Nose jobs, or rhinoplasty as they’re formally referred to, remain one of the most popular procedures in plastic surgery. But have you heard about non-surgical nose jobs? For those who are terminally self-conscious about their nose, clever makeup tricks with the best foundation won't always cut it, and sometimes we feel the only option is surgery. But imagine if there was an easier, less invasive way to re-shape your nose with zero downtime? Cue the non-surgical nose job. 

Traditional nose jobs are as popular as ever. In fact, in 2020, it was the fifth most Googled cosmetic surgery procedure around the world. This is in large part down to 'Zoom dysphoria', as we spend more time than ever studying our own faces during work calls and family catch-ups through our computer screens. Every little flaw is magnified; the slightest hint of asymmetry becomes glaringly obvious. So it’s no wonder plastic surgery procedures and the best skin tweakments are big business. 

A rhinoplasty involves an operation performed under general anaesthetic to remove bone and soft tissue in order to change the size and shape of your nose. But the operation has some serious financial and downtime implications. You can expect to pay anything between £4000 and £7000 and will need to take a couple of weeks off work to recover. 

Thankfully for the scalpel-shy among us, there’s a less painful and more affordable alternative to going under the knife. The non-surgical nose job is a non-invasive and non-permanent solution to your nose shape woes, smoothing out noticeable bumps and ridges and tweaking the overall shape and appearance of the nose. 

So if you've fallen out of love with your characterful nose, perhaps the non-surgical nose job would be right for you. With the advice of Dr Toni Phillips, Group Clinical Director at DestinationSkin, we’ll explain more about this top tweakment. 

Non-surgical nose job - everything you need to know

What is a non-surgical nose job?

During the 15-minute non-surgical nose job treatment, a hyaluronic acid (HA) filler gel is injected into different areas of the nose to reshape, redefine and soften the contours. “These fillers can be used to correct the appearance of a bump, lift the tip of the nose or make the nose look straighter or thinner,” explains Dr Toni Phillips. One of the major pros of a non-surgical nose job is the fact it’s done under local anaesthetic, making the recovery time blissfully short. 

First, the skin is sterilised with an antiseptic liquid before anaesthetic is administered to numb the area. Next, the filler is injected where it's needed in to 'safe' parts of the nose, slowly and in small amounts. The filler is massaged to ensure a smooth result. 

There’s a chance you may be a little bruised, tender and swollen for a few days but other than that, you could easily have this treatment during your lunch break. 

When will I see results?

Like popping in for salon highlights or a manicure, the results of a non-surgical nose job are instantly gratifying, and will be visible in their full glory (after any redness, bruising and swelling has subsided) about a week after the treatment. Compare that with a surgical rhinoplasty, where the final result can’t truly be taken in until at least the six-week recovery mark. 

But let’s get one thing straight. As with most tweakments, such as Ultherapy or microneedling, the results are likely to be subtle so don’t expect the kind of change you’d see from a dramatic rhinoplasty before and after. “Injectable gel nose reshaping is a good option for people looking to make a small change to their appearance and for those interested in making a change but aren’t sure about the permanence of a rhinoplasty,” explains Dr Toni Phillips. 

Are the results permanent?

One of the scariest things about going under the knife is its permanence. What if you hate the finished look? Or perhaps you’re worried you might not look like ‘you’ anymore. Well with a non-surgical nose job, should you really detest your ‘new’ nose, the hyaluronic gel can be dissolved with hyaluronidase injections (although this is only administered if absolutely necessary) and your nose will return to its original shape. 

But the dissolvable nature of gel fillers, while it makes for a comforting safety net, means that regular top-ups are required to maintain the finished look. “Non-surgical nose reshaping lasts 12-18 months and repeat treatments are needed to maintain the results,” explains Dr Phillips. “Many clients choose to have a repeat treatment before the filler disappears, typically 8-12 months after treatment.”

Non-surgical nose job cost and risks

A non-surgical nose job might seem like a quick and easy fix for a bumpy or misshapen nose, but it shouldn't be entered into lightly. “As with any injectable treatment, non-surgical nose reshaping can be associated with a high degree of risk in terms of complications,” admits Dr Phillips. “However, if it is performed by a well-trained and experienced medical injector, who understands the complex anatomy of the nose, then risks are minimal. The medical injector will only be able to inject in the ‘safe’ places on the nose and though this can limit the amount of change possible it’s to ensure all procedures are completed safely.” 

It’s vitally important to do your due diligence and research your doctor thoroughly, especially given the worrying surge in unlicensed practitioners. Ask to see how many non-surgical nose jobs they’ve performed, and request before and after photos of their previous work. Look online at reviews and testimonials, too. Rhinoplasty surgeons know the anatomy of the nose inside-out (literally!) and many now offer this ‘liquid nose job’. For more information, and to find a list of GMC registered doctors and dermatologists, visit gmc-uk.org. 

Prices for a non-surgical nose job using dermal fillers start at around £400. The cost can vary depending on your location, plus the amount and type of filler used on the nose. 

Non-surgical nose job before and after

Need a little more convincing? Check out these befores and afters to see real results of a non-surgical nose job.