When asked about what they would like to change on their face, most people point to their nose. Sometimes it is the size of it, sometimes the shape. Indeed, more and more people wish their nose were different. If self-acceptance is not working out for you, there are multiple options for altering the nose’s size or shape.
Shaping your nose by Surgery:
1. Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty or a ‘nose job’ is a surgical procedure designed to alter the shape of the nose as desired. Doctors can alter the size of the nose, narrow the span of the nostrils, remove a hump, change the shape of the tip, straighten a crooked nose and improve a collapsed nose.
Since the results are permanent, rhinoplasty surgery takes one to two hours to perform and needs to be done in a surgery center or a hospital. When incisions are confined to the inside of the nose it is a ‘closed rhinoplasty’, and when they are done under the surface of the nose it is an ‘open rhinoplasty’. The skin is then lifted to work on the underlying bone and cartilage until the desired look is achieved, after which the skin is re-draped and the incisions closed.
There are different kinds of rhinoplasty such as:
- Cosmetic rhinoplasty to enhance and modify the shape of the nose
- Reduction rhinoplasty to reduce the size of the nose for a defined nasal structure
- Augmentation rhinoplasty to increase the proportions of the nose by adding cartilage or tissue in cases where the nose is too small due to genetics or accidents
- Post-traumatic rhinoplasty to return the nose to the original shape if the nose has been injured
However, since it is surgery requiring alterations of the nasal bone and cartilage, patients may experience pain for a few weeks following the procedure which can be managed with medication. Another effect is swelling around the eyes and nose but it should subside in two weeks.
2. Nose Implants
Nose implants are used in nasal reconstruction in deformities caused by trauma, autoimmune disease, cancer, or infection. The implants can be harvested either from the patient, from a donor or be synthetic or semi-synthetic materials.
This operation takes about 45 minutes and is done under local anesthesia. A small cut is made within the nostrils without there being visible external scars. A small plaster will be placed over the nose for about one week to reduce swelling and maintain the position of the implant.
Shaping your nose by Non-Surgical means:
3. Korean HIKO or Nose Thread Lift
The HIKO nose thread lift procedure aims to give you a straighter, higher and defined nose bridge or tip. Being non-invasive, this procedure has a short recovery time and is also known as a ‘lunchtime nose job’. Polydixanone (PDA) threads are inserted in the nose which dissolves over time, creating new collagen, and tissue fibroblasts in the skin. The end result is tighter skin which enhances the nose’s definition and contour.
The results of nose thread lifts are immediate and will automatically dissolve after 6-9 months. However, collagen forms during the process which should last for 1–1.5 years. The best part is that the risk of blindness and skin necrosis associated with nose fillers are non-existent in this process.
To summarize, here are the benefits of nose thread lifts:
- Nose thread lifts are known to add definition and tip projection. They are also more rigid than nose fillers.
- The recovery process is much shorter than other methods with some swelling subsiding within a few hours.
- The results will be harder than fillers and more firm, which makes it best for individuals with thick sebaceous skin.
- There is no risk of blindness, skin necrosis, or broadening of the skin bridge.
4. Nose Filler
Unlike a nose job, which physically and permanently alters the nasal shape, nose fillers use fillers to enhance the shape of the nose by adding volume, contouring and correcting the nose.
Although results can last for a little more than a year, nose filler is a great option for those who do not want to undergo surgery. Another advantage is that it is fast about 30 minutes for the procedure and the recovery is not painful. However, you will have to repeat the procedure about once a year to maintain the results.
The benefits of nose fillers are:
- There is minimal downtime – There will be a little swelling and mild bruising but it will subside within a week.
- It is less expensive – Rhinoplasty is a more expensive treatment and will require more recovery time as well.
- Semi-permanent – Since nose fillers are not permanent, you can still change your nose shape if you do not like the result.
- It can correct a bad nose surgery – Some people seek nose fillers to correct or improve a rhinoplasty that did not go as well as expected.
5. Cosmetics or Makeup
If you are hesitant to make a permanent change on your nose, using the makeup technique of contouring can be a risk-free way to test a different nose shape on yourself.
Contouring is the process of using:
- light concealer or highlighter on areas that you want to catch light on, making them more pronounced, and
- dark concealer on places where you want to create shadows, making them less noticeable.
Blend the light and dark colours into place using a beauty blender sponge or a makeup brush for a natural finish.
There is definitely no one-size-fits-all method as it depends on your preference across several factors of consideration such as cost, downtime, pain level, and how long it lasts. It is best to find a doctor whom you trust and has a good sense of beauty and aesthetics, and work towards a new nose well-prepared.
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