Nonsurgical rhinoplasty in Medellín

Nonsurgical rhinoplasty, non-surgical nose job, liquid rhinoplasty, liquid nose job: they're all names for this same treatment. It's hyaluronic acid filler injected into the nose to shape it, with no incisions and no operating room. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) describes it as an outpatient procedure that uses dermal fillers to make cosmetic changes to small imperfections of the nose. The effect is temporary, because your body absorbs the gel over time. At noon Clinic, it's done by Dr. Valeria Enciso, aesthetic physician, in Medellín.

It's hyaluronic acid, like the filler used on lips or chin, but the nose is more delicate. According to the ASPS, filler only adds volume, so it can be used to:

• Camouflage a small bump on the bridge by filling in the areas on either side.
• Improve the contour of the tip.

It can't make your nose smaller, remove any part of it or help you breathe better. It's a single 30- to 60-minute session with a topical anesthetic, and you see the change right away. Your doctor decides how much to use, and where, at your in-person consultation.

It's not for you if you want a smaller nose, a big change in shape or easier breathing. For that, according to the ASPS, a plastic surgeon may suggest surgery. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says to tell your doctor if:

• The skin in the area is inflamed or infected.
• You have a bleeding disorder.
• You have severe allergies or are allergic to lidocaine or other local anesthetics.

It also notes that the safety of these fillers is not known during pregnancy or breastfeeding, in people under 22 or in people prone to keloids.

Every procedure carries risks. According to the ASPS, most people have minor swelling or bruising, but the nose is a high-risk area: filler can cause skin necrosis (death of skin tissue) or irreversible blindness, and the risk is higher if you've already had nose surgery. In the United States, the FDA hasn't approved fillers for injection into the nose and recommends against using them there. If you feel unusual pain or notice changes in your vision, or skin nearby that looks white, gray or bluish, get medical care right away. You sign an informed consent form before treatment.

At your consultation, tell your doctor about your medications, vitamins, supplements and allergies, and any past fillers or nose surgery, as the ASPS suggests. Don't stop taking anything on your own: she'll tell you what to do. Ask for the product name and check that its registration is current in the online registry (in Spanish) of INVIMA, Colombia's regulator, similar to the FDA. Afterward, mild swelling may last 2 to 5 days. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends:

• Not touching the area, unless you're told to massage it.
• Avoiding strenuous exercise right after.
• Protecting your skin from the sun.

Nonsurgical rhinoplasty is for a small change. If you're looking for something else, another option may suit you better:

• Making your nose smaller, correcting a drooping or wide tip, or breathing better: rhinoplasty, with Dr. Fernando Ruiz, plastic surgeon. According to the ASPS, surgery can change the structure of the nose and make it larger or smaller.
• A small chin can make your nose look bigger. In that case, chin surgery may be worth evaluating.

If you're not sure which applies to you, we'll go over it with you at your consultation.