Is Nose Filler Safe?

Nose fillers, also known as non-surgical rhinoplasty, have become a popular choice for those seeking to enhance the appearance of their noses. They offer a non-invasive, quick, and often reversible solution to address cosmetic concerns such as asymmetry, bumps, or imperfections. If you or someone close to you is considering having a liquid nose job it’s only natural to have questions such as “Are nose fillers safe?”

The good news is that when administered by a qualified and experienced professional, nose fillers in Bournemouth and throughout the UK are a safe and effective way to enhance the appearance of the nose. However, like any cosmetic procedure, there are potential risks and side effects. It’s crucial to understand these risks and take steps to minimise them before undergoing the procedure.

Nose Fillers Are Licensed for Use In the UK

Since 2020, nose fillers have been classed as a medical device throughout Europe and are licensed and regulated for use in the UK by the Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). 

A Safe Process

Your safety and satisfaction should be the clinics’ and practitioners’ top priority – it is here at Smile Stories. 

To ensure this, your initial consultation should be with an experienced dermal expert and be focused on understanding your specific improvement goals and thoroughly reviewing your medical history. 

This step is crucial for tailoring a treatment plan that is not only effective but also aligns perfectly with your health profile. The expert will then guide you through the recommended course of action, prioritising your safety and well-being to achieve the best outcomes. 

Here at Smile Stories your treatment will be meticulously planned and scheduled at a time that is most convenient for you, ensuring a comfortable and secure experience throughout.

If your treatment clinic doesn’t take this much care – then you should look elsewhere for a safer clinic and practitioner.

A Minimally Invasive Procedure

The procedure, when done properly, is carried out with the utmost care and precision by the injector, who utilises an exceptionally fine, small needle for the gentle injection of dermal filler into the targeted areas of the nose. Designed for efficiency, the procedure is not only swift but also typically painless. 

Does The Procedure Hurt?

The procedure is typically painless, and it does vary from person to person when the filler is being injected it can cause a brief sensation of pain or discomfort, however, this is usually quite manageable and short-lived. To enhance your comfort, certain fillers include a local anaesthetic.

What About Afterwards – The Recovery?

After the dermal filler is injected into the nose it’s crucial to avoid touching the filled area for at least six hours after the treatment. Also, avoid activities that involve high temperatures, like using a sunbed, right after the procedure. You can expect to see the final results of the treatment within one to two weeks.

Does It Hurt Afterwards?

Afterwards, you might experience pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site. Typically, these symptoms start to lessen within an hour or two, allowing the effects of the filler to become more apparent. 

To help reduce redness and swelling, consider taking an ice pack to your appointment. You can ask your practitioner if it’s safe to use it post-procedure.

Risks and Safety

As with any cosmetic procedure, there are risks involved. 

Unsatisfactory Result

Unsatisfactory results from nose fillers can arise due to several factors. Key issues include 

• Improper injection techniques lead to asymmetry or irregular contours.
• The use of inappropriate or low-quality fillers.
• Individual anatomical differences in patients’ nasal structures. 
• Over or under-correction can significantly impact the aesthetic outcome, either making the nose appear unnatural or inadequately addressing cosmetic concerns. 
• Patient expectations may not always align with what is achievable through fillers, contributing to dissatisfaction. 
• Variations in the healing process and the body’s response to fillers can influence the overall result.

The experience and skill level of the practitioner are crucial in determining the success of the procedure. It’s important to have a thorough consultation with a highly trained practitioner and have realistic expectations.

Redness, Bruising, Sensitivity

For most people, the only side effect of liquid rhinoplasty is a little redness, bruising, sensitivity and discomfort in the area of the injection in the day or two after the procedure. To help lessen these side effects, doctors can add a numbing medicine called lidocaine to the filler, advise you to avoid blood-thinning medications before the procedure and use a cold compress. 

Infection

To prevent infection, trained professionals use clean techniques and clean your skin with antiseptic before the injection. If your clinic doesn’t look clean or maintain high levels of infection control – it might be wise to look elsewhere.

Allergic Reaction

Sometimes, people can have an allergic reaction to the filler material, which can be anything from mild irritation to severe swelling. To treat these reactions, medications like antihistamines, corticosteroids, and ibuprofen can be used.

Granuloma Formation

In rare cases, long-term issues like lumps or areas where the body reacts to the filler can happen. These can be treated with antibiotics, a medicine called hyaluronidase that breaks down the filler, and drugs that suppress the immune system.

Vascular Occlusion

The nose is a delicate part of the face with many blood vessels and is located near the eyes, vascular occlusal can occur when the filler is accidentally injected into one of these blood vessels, potentially causing tissue damage and skin necrosis.

A skilled, cautious, qualified and experienced professional is trained in facial anatomy and takes care to avoid the blood vessels.

Can Nose Fillers Migrate?

Yes, nose fillers can migrate from the original injection site to another area – although it’s a relatively uncommon occurrence.  It can happen for several reasons:

• Improper injection technique or placement of the filler can increase the likelihood of migration.
• Some fillers are more prone to migration than others – those with a thinner consistency may move more easily than thicker, more cohesive fillers.
• Excessive pressure or manipulation of the area after the procedure can cause the filler to shift.
• Overfilling an area can make it more likely for some of the filler to move
• Sometimes, the body’s natural movements and tissue dynamics can contribute to the migration of the filler.

If migration occurs, it can alter the desired outcome of the procedure and may require corrective action, such as dissolving the filler with hyaluronidase or additional treatments. 

Do They Last Forever?

Nose fillers, do not last forever – the effects are temporary, typically lasting between 6 to 18 months, depending on the type of filler used and the individual’s response to it.

Can The Procedure Be Reversed?

The most commonly used dermal fillers used here at Smile Stories and in the UK for non-surgical rhinoplasty are made from Hyaluronic acid. If hyaluronic acid fillers are used, the procedure is reversible. An enzyme called hyaluronidase can be injected to dissolve the filler if needed. 

If alternative fillers are used they are not reversible. 

Minimising Risks and Enhancing Safety – Use A Qualified Practitioner & A Safe Clinic

Whilst there are calls for an England-wide licensing scheme (external link), there are currently no mandatory education, training or qualification requirements for the practitioners performing liquid nose jobs, and training courses vary significantly in length, content and quality. This means that there are a wide range of skill levels among practitioners performing these procedures and not everyone who offers nose fillers is safe to do so. 

It is essential to check out the credentials of the clinic and the practitioner offering nose fillers. Choosing a qualified practitioner, with lots of experience, like Reem here at Smile Stories greatly reduces the chances of the risk and complications associated with the procedure. 

So, Are Nose Fillers Safe?

All procedures have some risks and can lead to serious complications if not correctly done. These risks are greater where the person carrying out the procedure is not sufficiently knowledgeable or trained, where they use unregulated products, or when the procedure is carried out at unsuitable premises.

Nose fillers, when done correctly, are a safe and effective method for non-surgical nose reshaping. The procedure involves minimal risks, which can be effectively managed through professional handling and proper aftercare. However, the choice of a skilled and experienced practitioner is crucial to ensure safety and satisfactory results.