Ahead by a Nose

By: Katharine Griffiths
Created on 20th September 2011

Although it has been available for a while, non-surgical nose reshaping is becoming increasingly popular as a valid option, before or instead of surgical intervention. Facial aesthetic expert Dr Bob Khanna explains more

Surgical nose reshaping procedures have been recorded in India as far back as 600 BC and modern-day rhinoplasty works to improve both the form and function of your nose. But what options do you have if you’re not ready for surgery or are worried about how it will transform your whole appearance?

I’ve been doing non-surgical nose jobs for the past 12 years so this is not a new concept. What is new is that, due to both the products that are available and techniques that I’ve developed, I can now treat a wide range of different problems. I can now effect a transformation of the nose as a whole rather than just fill in a dent here and there.

Patient selection

Non-surgical rhinoplasty is suitable for patients who have looked at the surgical options and decided not to proceed at that point for whatever reason. However, it is also ideal for patients who have already undergone a rhinoplasty, or even multiple surgical episodes, and been left with deficits or asymmetries.

With this procedure we can reshape, realign and enhance the appearance of the nose, all of which is fantastic because repeated surgery can lead to compromised results and can also compromise the blood supply to the nose.

Surgery versus nonsurgery

It is important to clarify that I’m not saying that all potential surgical cases could be or should be treated non-surgically and I’m certainly not claiming that the non-surgical approach is better than the traditional invasive approach. What we have here is a very viable option that doesn’t compromise the possibility of having surgery in the future.

Non-surgical remedies can be very advantageous; they deliver optimal aesthetics in a 20 minute procedure, with very little downtime and with results lasting up to a year. It’s also very important in today’s financial climate to have a full range of options that include a nonsurgical alternative.

Radical reshaping

When I first started doing nonsurgical rhinoplasty, it was only really possible to deal with minor defects such as filling dents at the top of the nose. However, I am now able to radically reshape and improve the whole nose, both in terms of the shape and appearance.

The skin in this area is very thin, particularly on the dorsum, or middle ridge of the nose, and surgery can thin the skin further. A side effect of surgical rhinoplasty can be that you’re left with a knobbly appearance that is very noticeable due to the thin skin. This can be masked very nicely with dermal fillers.

Over the last four years, I have developed techniques that can produce a nasal tip lift, just by using dermal fillers. Lifting the tip of the nose can radically change the look of the nose as a whole and previously was only possible to achieve through surgery.

Choose your practitioner wisely

The success of this procedure is very practitioner dependent so choose your practitioner carefully. Recent years have seen me modify my techniques to provide an aesthetic outcome that should last a year.

I also use specially designed cannulas which provide for a very safe and less traumatic treatment experience.

Your choice of product is very important too: I have used collagen in the past and now use a combination of dermal fillers Restylane and Perlane in a layering technique. I would advise patients to avoid using permanent fillers as that could compromise any future surgery.

Case Study

The Patient: Jason McQueen

“I have never been happy with the shape of my nose, particularly in profile. I had considered surgery but I was scared off by the associated risks and also was worried about the results being permanent. I was delighted when Dr Bob offered me this option that would reshape my nose in a painless way. I was particularly pleased that I would be able to change my mind. However, since having the treatment, I have been delighted with the results.”

The Practitioner: Dr Bob Khanna

“Jason was worried about taking a radical approach and was particularly scared that he wouldn’t like the end result. He is a young, goodlooking lad who was very self-conscious about his appearance so it was important to give him confidence in his looks at this stage in his life. It was also important to give him confidence in the changes that could be achieved by reshaping nose, so that he could embrace surgery at a later stage.”

CS&AG