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Liquid Rhinoplasty vs. Surgical Rhinoplasty: Which Nose Job Is Best for Me?

Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular facial plastic surgeries in the United States. With many advancing technologies, we have many nose enhancement options—from traditional surgical to non-invasive rhinoplasty procedures—to help those who are dissatisfied with the look or function of their nose.

All rhinoplasty procedures aim to balance facial features, restore the functionality of the nose, or both. However, many patients do not know that there are different types of rhinoplasties, including non-surgical liquid rhinoplasty, to address size, shape, proportions, and function.

No matter your reason for wanting rhinoplasty, Dr. Kristopher Hamwi and the experts at Florida Plastic Surgery can help you discover the correct nose reshaping procedures for your unique situation. The choice between liquid or surgical rhinoplasty depends on many factors, including your goals, nasal anatomy, downtime, and even budget.

What Is Liquid Rhinoplasty? How Does It Differ from Rhinoplasty Surgery?

Rhinoplasty procedures aim to enhance the appearance or function of the nose. Liquid rhinoplasty, also called a non-surgical nose job, is a cosmetic treatment to temporarily reshape the nose using injectable dermal fillers. Following liquid rhinoplasty safety precautions, our experts perform liquid rhinoplasty in a quick procedure with no downtime. Patients can resume most normal activities immediately with minimal side effects and instant results.

Liquid nose job benefits can temporarily improve the appearance of the nose by:

  • Camouflaging small bumps
  • Improving nose symmetry
  • Refining nasal tips
  • Filling indentations

Your liquid nose job longevity depends on the fillers used, your nasal anatomy, and your metabolism. Non-surgical nose job results can last six months to two years and may require follow-up maintenance.

However, not everyone qualifies as a candidate for liquid rhinoplasty. A non-surgical nose job is not an effective solution for patients looking to reduce the size of their nose, dramatically restore crooked or broken noses, or repair breathing issues.

Rhinoplasty surgery is a procedure to permanently reshape, refine, and resize the appearance or function of the nose. It can be performed to make aesthetic changes, repair breathing difficulties, or both. To accomplish this, it manipulates the skin, bone, and cartilage of the nose.

The surgical rhinoplasty process restores nasal function and produces facial harmony by addressing:

  • Bumps and asymmetries
  • Contour issues
  • Bulbous tip
  • Bumps or dips on the bridge
  • Overly large nostrils
  • Enlarged nasal tip
  • Droopy nasal tip
  • Disproportional size
  • Crooked nasal bridge
  • Deviated septum
  • Congenital disabilities

In a nose job comparison, surgical rhinoplasty is often preferred as it is a highly customizable procedure that provides permanent results, allowing you to refashion your nose how you want. However, it has a much longer recovery time than non-surgical nose jobs and has the associated rhinoplasty surgery risks.

Different Types of Rhinoplasties

Dr. Hamwi uses different types of procedures to correct aesthetic concerns of the nose.

  • Open rhinoplasty. This technique drastically reshapes the nose. With incisions in the columella (the bottom of the septum), the skin and tissues are lifted to view the inner nasal anatomy to reshape, rearrange, or augment the nose.
  • Closed rhinoplasty. Typically, this technique is used for minor reshaping of the nose. Incisions are made inside the nose to reshape, rearrange, or augment the nose.
  • Secondary rhinoplasty. Also called revision rhinoplasty, this procedure is performed to correct or alter the results of an initial rhinoplasty.
  • Liquid Rhinoplasty. This non-surgical procedure is less invasive than traditional rhinoplasty. It achieves temporary results with dermal fillers. Typically, it requires annual touch ups. Patients often seek liquid rhinoplasty as a cost-effective method of viewing results before committing to surgical rhinoplasty.

See our rhinoplasty and liquid rhinoplasty before and after results of real patients in our gallery.

What Is the Recovery Time for Liquid Rhinoplasty Compared to Rhinoplasty Surgery?

Liquid rhinoplasty is a quick, non-surgical procedure that typically takes 15 to 30 minutes, requires no downtime, offers few side effects, and provides instant results. Patients can resume most normal activities immediately following treatment. Some patients may experience slight bruising or swelling that resolves within a day or two.

Traditional surgical rhinoplasty is an outpatient surgery. After you awaken from anesthesia, your trusted friend or family member may take you home to rest and recuperate. Typically, rhinoplasty recovery time requires patients to take a week to 10 days off work. As it can take up to a year for residual swelling to resolve, you may not see your true results for a few months.

How Does the Cost of Liquid Rhinoplasty Compare to Rhinoplasty Surgery?

A liquid rhinoplasty is achieved using dermal fillers, providing temporary results that can last six months to two years. The cost of liquid rhinoplasty is based on the number of units used, and ranges from $600 to $1,500 per session. Due to the temporary nature of liquid rhinoplasty, you will need to schedule future visits to maintain your results.

The cost of a surgical rhinoplasty begins around $6,000. However, you also need to factor in other associated surgical costs, including anesthesia, surgical facility fees, medical testing, and others.

When doing a rhinoplasty cost comparison, liquid rhinoplasty may sound less expensive than traditional rhinoplasty; however, the continued cost adds up quickly. As surgical rhinoplasty is a one-time cost that provides permanent results, the cost of surgery may be less over time than the continued cost of liquid rhinoplasty.

Can Liquid Rhinoplasty Address the Same Concerns as Rhinoplasty Surgery?

While liquid rhinoplasty can create beautiful, natural-looking aesthetic results, there are some concerns that cannot be addressed without surgery.

A non-surgical nose job is ideal for patients unhappy with the appearance of their nose who cannot commit to a surgical procedure. Liquid rhinoplasty is intended to alter the shape of the nose, but it cannot affect the overall size of the nose. It also cannot create drastic results, such as restoring the appearance of severely crooked or broken noses.

Non-surgical rhinoplasty alternatives cannot correct functional concerns, such as a deviated septum or other structural issues. Only surgical procedures can correct these complex issues.

How Do I Know Which Type of Rhinoplasty Is Right for Me?

The only way to discover the type of rhinoplasty for your unique situation is a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. During your complimentary consultation, your surgeon will examine your nose and overall facial features to determine whether surgical or liquid rhinoplasty will best achieve your goals. Other considerations may include your age, skin quality, and the anatomical structure of your nose.

Suitable candidates for rhinoplasty and liquid rhinoplasty in Sarasota, FL should:

  • Be physically healthy
  • Have completed full facial growth
  • Not smoke
  • Have realistic objectives for their procedure

Choosing Dr. Kristopher Hamwi for Your Rhinoplasty in Florida

The first step in any successful surgical or liquid rhinoplasty procedure is selecting an experienced provider who understands your aesthetic goals and concerns. As one of the top rated aesthetic plastic surgeons in the country, double board-certified Dr. Kristopher Hamwi delivers results that complement your profile and enhance your overall features, making him your choice for the best rhinoplasty in Sarasota.Ready to partner with Florida’s leading rhinoplasty and liquid rhinoplasty surgeon? Contact us today or call (941) 800-2000 to learn more.