Why Is Nose Filler So Risky?

Nose filler injections are non-invasive procedures that reshape the nose and mask undesirable features. This article explains the advantages and disadvantages of nose fillers, the benefits of nose fillers, the risks associated with nose fillers, and whether nose fillers can migrate to other areas.

In modern days, dermal fillers are in demand more than ever before. Nowadays, you don’t need full nose surgery to make minor changes to your nose. Nose fillers are administered into the nose tissues by an injection procedure that takes a short time. Nose filler treatments also referred to as non-surgical rhinoplasty, are not permanent. In traditional methods, patients underwent invasive surgical operations to reshape their noses. After the procedure, a patient would experience post-surgical pain and swellings, making them stay away from work for a significant period. However, nose fillers are alternative to the surgery method. It is better because your cosmetic doctor can use it to shape the nose by strategically placing the filler, evening out bumps, and balancing the asymmetry of the nose. The results of this procedure are seen immediately, and the recovery time is shorter than plastic surgery. Are there risks associated with the use of nose fillers? Like any other cosmetic procedure, nose fillers have some associated risks; if the procedure is done correctly, most of these risks are preventable. According to Funt& Pavicic (2013), a major risk of this procedure is complications that may occur when the filler gets injected into a blood vessel. This can cause damage to the vessel, and also it might cause nose necrosis, cyst, and infections. The nose area has many blood vessels, so the nose is at a high risk of vascular blockage. Blood flows to the nose with no collateral circulation because it consists of end arteries. When these blood vessels get blocked by the filler, the tissues have no backup to receive blood and oxygen; hence they die, causing serious damage.

Chatrath et al. (2019) opined that more serious complications might occur when the filler gets into a vessel supplying blood to the eye; the obstruction of these vessels causes a serious risk of blindness associated with the lip fillers. However, blindness is a rare case that often happens if an inexperienced cosmetic doctor carries out the procedure. According to Levy & Emer (2012), Nose fillers also may cause swelling, bruising, redness, and discomfort. These side effects are not severe and become less intense a few days after injection.

Can Nose Fillers Migrate from the Area of Injection?

Spreading of nose filler is not a common problem, but it can happen when the filler is placed at the bridge. This makes the nose appear wider than expected. Three factors may cause filler migration; injecting too much filler than required, poor injection technique, and incorrect choice of the product filler. These factors show the necessity of visiting an experienced cosmetic doctor to perform the procedure. According to Paap&Silkiss (2020), Hyaluronic acid fillers are preferred over others; they reversible if spreading happens. The filler is reversed by injecting hyaluronidase enzyme that dissolves it making it absorbed into the skin.

Reason for Nose Filler Injections

· To add nose volume

· To enhance the tip of the nose

· To make the nose straight

· To smoothen bumps and lumps

Advantages of Nose Fillers

Recovery time after injection is very short.

The cost of nose fillers is lower than the traditional surgery method.

The results are not permanent. You can reverse the procedure if you are not satisfied with the results.

They do not have downtime; you can return to your duties the day after the lip filler injection.

Nose filler prevents the patient from going through general anesthesia. Numbing is done only in the area of injection. The patient stays awake during the entire procedure.

A nose filler injection procedure takes approximately 15- 30 minutes; this is shorter compared to surgery, which may take 1-4 hours more.

Disadvantages of Nose Fillers

There may be a better solution than a nose filler procedure for patients who want permanent results.

Even if the side effects are not usually severe, still the procedure is associated with side effects like swelling, redness, and discomfort.

A bad injection may result in complications.

Because these procedures are relatively new, long-term side effects are not well studied.

Nose fillers cannot fix breathing issues; they only fix aesthetic problems of the nose.

The procedure may not favor patients who wear spectacles, especially after the initial filler injection stage. At this stage, the patient would be required to avoid wearing glasses for 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure. If the injection is also done on the bridge area, wearing glasses may cause displacement of the filler, affecting the final result.

Nose Filler Injection Procedure

After a consultation where a discussion about the desired result is done, the cosmetic doctor will have the patient lie with the head tilted upwards. A topical anesthetic is applied on the surface of the nose and the surrounding area to provide a numbing effect. This numbing effect prevents pain during the injection process. The doctor injects the filler around the nose, sometimes including the bridge. You might feel a pinch as the needle penetrates the area of injection. The whole process can take between 15min and 45 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nose Fillers

What Fillers Are Used for Nose Fillers Injections?

Hyaluronic acid fillers are the fillers commonly used. They are not permanent, but they give a good outcome.

Does Nose Fillers Hurt?

Nose filler can cause some discomfort, but to prevent this, a numbing cream is applied to the nose and the surrounding area before injection.

Conclusion

It is important to choose a qualified cosmetic doctor who understands the anatomy of the face and the blood vessels around the nose and the eye. There is a limitation based on the patient’s anatomy; therefore, some patients may not achieve their desired look due to suitability. Lip fillers require multiple injections to improve or achieve the best results. These results are temporary; therefore, providing permanent results is not a suitable method. The patient should get post-injection advice during the appointment day, and aftercare tips should be provided on the same day. Aftercare tips facilitate the healing process and help prevent the lips from any risk that may alter the quality of the final result.

References

Chatrath, V., Banerjee, P. S., Goodman, G. J., & Rahman, E. (2019). Soft-tissue filler–associated blindness: a systematic review of case reports and case series. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 7(4).

Funt, D., & Pavicic, T. (2013). Dermal fillers in aesthetics: an overview of adverse events and treatment approaches. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 6, 295.

Levy, L. L., & Emer, J. J. (2012). Complications of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures: prevention and management. Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery, 5(2), 121.

Paap, M. K., & Silkiss, R. Z. (2020). The interaction between hyaluronidase and hyaluronic acid gel fillers-a review of the literature and comparative analysis. Plastic and Aesthetic Research, 7, 36.