What Is A Nose Job? Ultimate Guide With All Pros, Cons
Shalu Bhati
Updated At 26 Mar 24
Do you wish to get a nose job? Want to know more about it before taking a plunge? Then, you have come to the right place.
All of us deserve to have a face and body that we want. If it is not given to us by God, some of us tend to get it with the help of a cosmetic surgeon. Nose jobs are one of the most common types of plastic surgeries. From high school kids to middle-aged men, nose jobs are preferred by people from all walks of life for a variety of reasons. So, if you are someone who is actively looking to change the appearance of your nose, we have already done some heavy lifting for you. We bring to you the ultimate guide on nose surgery. From what is a nose job and how is it done to the nose job pros, cos, risks and precautions, we have covered it all.
Keep reading to get informed about nose jobs and make a well-thought decision. In this article, we have specifically covered:
- What Is A Nose Job?
- Types Of Nose Jobs
- Preparation And Procedure Of A Nose Job
- What To Expect After?
- Nose Job Price
- How Does It Differ between Males And Females?
- Pros, Cons, Risks And Side Effects Of A Nose Job
- Best Nose Jobs In Hollywood
- FAQs On Nose Jobs
What Is A Nose Job?
A nose job is a common name given to a procedure known as Rhinoplasty. It is a surgery of the nose aimed to change its size, shape, structure, and anatomy. It is one of the most common facial plastic surgery in the US. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, about 22,000 nose jobs are performed in a year.
Nose surgery can give you a new nose and consequently also change your whole look. It can be a minor change or a drastic one depending on your needs. Whether you have breathing problems due to a deviated septum or just want to change the appearance of your crooked nose, you have the option of nose reshaping via a rhinoplasty.
Generally, in nose surgery, the following changes can be made:
- Reduction or augmentation in length or width of the nose
- Angle of the nose with the top lip
- Straightening of Nose Bridge
- Reshaping of the nose tip
- Narrowing the nostrils
These changes are made by altering the bone, cartilage, skin or sometimes all three of them.
Types Of Nose Jobs
Nose jobs can be classified into various categories. Following are some types of nose surgery that are classified based on their purpose, kind of procedure, and the kind of incision made:
I. Based on the purpose
There are two types of nose jobs based on the purpose behind them—Medical and Cosmetic.
- Medical Rhinoplasty
This type of rhinoplasty or nose job is done to correct defects that are causing health-related issues which include difficulty in breathing. A deviated septum or some other form of nasal obstruction can cause difficulty in breathing, sleeping, exercising and such other day to day activities.
Nose surgery can solve these issues by targeting them individually. The rhinoplasty is tailored to your needs. Septal deformity, birth defect, or deformity caused by accidents that cause medical issues can be fixed through a rhinoplasty. A deviated septum is fixed by septoplasty which is often supported by a rhinoplasty to balance out the nose. Cartilage grafts are strategically placed to remove the obstruction and strengthen the breathing areas.
This type of nose job is covered by health insurance.
- Cosmetic Rhinoplasty
If you don’t have a medical reason to go under the knife and are just not satisfied by the appearance of your nose, then this is the nose job for you. This type of nose job is done for cosmetic purposes and is not covered by health insurance. It can help in changing and improving the contours and proportions of the nose to make it more aesthetically pleasing.
This type of nose surgery can be done to alter the appearance of the nasal hump, straighten the nose bridge, refine the nose tip, shorten the nostrils, and correct other asymmetries. Cosmetic rhinoplasty can change your overall look if done correctly.
II. Based on the procedure
Nose jobs can be again classified into two categories based on the type of procedure.
- Surgical Nose Job
A surgical nose job is simply the one that requires a surgical procedure. This is the one where you have to go under the knife for altering the shape, size, and contours of your nose.
- Non Surgical Nose Job
A non surgical nose job has come out as a result of recent developments in the world of cosmetic surgeries. Dr. Alexander Rivkin is known for introducing this procedure to the world. This nose surgery is also commonly called the lunchtime nose job. All it takes is 15 minutes to perform this procedure. It requires no recovery time. You can go and come back to your office with anew nose well within your lunch break. It is that convenient. You might look a little red or bruised but even that can be treated immediately.
Injectable fillers are famously used for correcting facial features like cheeks and lips. They are now being used to alter the appearance of the nose. It is a non surgical procedure that uses multi microdroplet injections to inject fillers in the nose.
It is advised to go for temporary fillers first that can last up to two years and then graduate to permanent ones. It is a painless procedure and is best suited for making small alterations to the nose.
III. Based on the position of incisions
There are two types of nose jobs based on the position of the incisions made during nose surgery. These two are different approaches to a surgical nose job.
- Open Rhinoplasty
In a rhinoplasty where the incision is made along the width of the nasal base, it is known as an open rhinoplasty. This incision is made on the outside and allows the surgeon better visibility and precision. The open rhinoplasty makes the structure of the nose much more accessible to the surgeon and allows him to work better at altering the shape and size of your nose. It is often the approach taken when correcting previous surgical mistakes.
- Closed Rhinoplasty
A closed rhinoplasty is the one where the incision is made inside the nose. It is done when the reshaping is required within the nostrils. It is a less invasive approach and leaves behind no scarring. It is used for making minor nose reshaping and alterations.
How To Prepare For A Nose Job
The following measures and steps become a part of the preparation for nose surgery:
- Do your homework well. Talk to your friends and family. Research online. Look at reviews. Be sure of the clinic you decide to go to and the surgeon who is going to perform the procedure. Don’t hesitate to ask the surgeon about their qualification and experience details.
- Once you have finalized the surgeon, talk to him about what bothers you about your nose and what changes you would like to see among other things. Your surgeon will guide you through the procedure and will tell you if your goals are realistic or not. He will inform you of the risks, side effects, recovery time and the cost involved.
- During this conversation with your surgeon, you will be asked certain questions which include but are not limited to your medical history, whether you have nose bleeding issues and your motivation behind getting a nose job. The outcomes of this discussion determine whether you are a fit candidate for a nose job.
- Many reputed clinics have it as their policy that in cases of a cosmetic rhinoplasty a session with a clinical psychologist is arranged to further determine your candidacy.
- Once your fitness for the nose surgery is established, you will be sent for your complete medical evaluation. Photographs of your nose will be clicked from different angles. These photographs will then be fed into the software which would give you a possible picture of how your desired nose job would look.
- Finally, you will be given instructions to follow on and before your nose job appointment. These would include adjusting your medications, ban on smoking, and avoiding aspirin along with other anti-inflammatory medicines.
What Is The Process Of Getting A Nose Job?
A nose job does not have a fixed number of steps. This procedure is unique for everybody as no two noses are alike and can involve hundreds of possible steps. But, overall, all nose jobs have the following in common:
- Anesthesia: For a surgical nose job, general or local anesthesia is given to the patient whereas, in a non surgical nose job, a numbing cream is applied on the surface of the nose.
- The actual surgery: Incisions are made, and the shape of bone, cartilage or both are altered as per the individual case. The required changes are made.
- After surgery: Once the surgery is finished and you are up, you can go home. Though, you will be in nose splints and cast and will require at least a week off at home to recover.
What To Expect After Nose Surgery?
After the surgery, expect some redness and swelling around the nose as well as some bruising under the eyes. Your nose will be covered with bandages and splints. You will have a nose that will feel sensitive, tender and stuffy.
The splints and bandages stay up to a week. Till then, you are supposed to take complete rest, avoid any strenuous work including cardio, and do regular cleaning of your nose.
You can return to most of the daily activities after two weeks. You will see a reduction in swelling too. A significant amount of healing will take place within the first month and complete healing can take up to a year.
As opposed to a non surgical nose job, a surgical one takes time to show results. Your new nose will show its shape once it is completely healed.
Nose Job Price
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average nose job cost is $5,350. This cost only covers the procedure and does not include other expenses such as the cost of anesthesia, operating room facilities, etc.
Nose fillers, on the other hand, are relatively cheaper. A non surgical nose job with temporary fillers has an average cost of $2500 whereas that of permanent ones is $4500.
How Does It Differ between Males And Females?
A nose job is a nose job whether it is for a man or a woman. The same techniques are used for both of them. However, the goals for their respective noses are not the same and this is where the difference lies.
We know that a male and female nose looks different. Therefore, a man’s vision for his nose won’t be the same as that of a woman’s vision for her nose. In the case of a male nose job, the goal is to alter the appearance of the nose by correcting the defects all the while maintaining its masculine and stronger appearance. A female nose job, on the other hand, aims for a slender, narrower and feminine appearance.
Is It Worth It—Pros And Cons Of A Nose Job
Now you know a great deal about nose jobs from what it is to how is it done. Now, let us move further and find out if they are worth it by looking at their pros, cons, side effects and risks.
Nose Job Pros
- Balances facial features
- Improves self-esteem and confidence
- Makes it easier to breathe in certain cases
- Treats structural defects
- Corrects birth defects
- Repairs damage and injury to nose caused in accidents
- Also helps with sinus infections
Nose Job Cons
- Causes minor discomfort
- Invasive procedure
- Takes time to show complete results
- Long recovery time
- Long list of precautions
- Not predictable as bone and cartilage often change shape
- Second surgery is also needed in some cases
- Can end up botched if not done correctly
Side Effects Of Nose Job
Side effects of nose surgery include:
- Blocked nose
- Numbness
- Soreness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Light nose bleeds
Nose Surgery Risks
Some of the most common risks involved in a nose job procedure include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Reaction to anesthesia
- Difficulty in breathing
- Permanent numbness around nose
- Scarring
- Hole in septum
- Pain, discoloration, and swelling
- Botched results
Best Nose Jobs In Hollywood
Nose jobs are fairly common amongst celebrities. We get it. They are constantly in the limelight and have a never-ending pressure to look their best. Plus, as a celebrity, they have access to the necessary resources. It becomes rather easy for them to go under the knife if they ever want to.
Here are the top 5 of the best nose jobs in Hollywood with before and after pictures for you to see how even a little nip here and a tuck there can change the whole appearance:
1. Britney Spears
Britney Spears is the queen of pop and also of the nose job. Hers is counted amongst one of the best nose jobs in Hollywood. Though, she has not admitted to getting one. But her before and after pictures were enough to give rise to speculations that Britney had gone under the knife as she has a slimmer nose now that bears a feminine shape and is less bulbous.
2. Blake Lively
Blake Lively has never admitted it either but there have been speculations that the actress has had a nose job. Her nose is narrower, more slender and refined. Pictures don’t lie and we don’t care. We love Blake with all our hearts and so do all of her millions of fans.
3. Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston is one of those celebrities who have been open about getting a nose job. She has admitted that she got a nose job. But it was very early in her career so we didn’t get to see her old nose much. She went for nose surgery to fix her deviated septum which was causing breathing difficulties for the actress.
4. Dianna Agron
Dianna Agron has also been open about her nose surgery. She has revealed that she has gone under the knife not once but twice. Both the times it was to get her broken nose fixed. The first time around, she was in high school and broke her nose at a party. The second time was when her nose got injured while she was on the Glee tour.
5. Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle always looked beautiful. The only difference between now and then is her nose job. Now, she has a relatively narrower nose bridge, sculpted cartilage, and a refined tip. Her nose job has yielded natural outcomes and has brought attention to her eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is a non surgical nose job?
A non surgical nose job is a non-invasive procedure wherein injectable fillers are used to alter the shape of the nose. It is used to change minor contour defects.
Q. What are nose fillers?
Nose fillers such as hyaluronic acid are injectable fillers that are used to change the shape and size of the nose. They are used to give a non-surgical nose job. These fillers can be both temporary and permanent.
Q. Is nose lift the same as nose job?
Nose lift is a subcategory and nose job is the broader category. Nose lift, as the name suggests, is a rhinoplasty procedure where the tip of the nose is lifted to give it a thinner and pointier shape.
Q. What is a liquid nose job?
A liquid nose job is a non surgical rhinoplasty which uses injectable fillers to alter the shape and contours of a nose. The most commonly used filler is hyaluronic acid followed by calcium hydroxyapatite.
Q. What is a wide nose rhinoplasty?
A wide nose rhinoplasty is the one that helps reshape a wide nose. It can bring about a change in the contours of a wide nose by shortening its length and width and by making the nose tip sharper rather than round.
Q. What is a Korean nose job?
Koreans typically have a flat nose. The Korean nose job is like a regular nose job which has been developed especially to address the nose shape woes of Koreans. It is characterized by a nose lift and an increase in height of the bridge of the nose.
Q. Is a nose lift without surgery possible? If yes, how to get it?
Yes, a non surgical nose job can help lift a droopy nose. This is done with the help of injectable fillers such as hyaluronic to shape up the nose. You can get it done from a good and reputed rhinoplasty surgeon.
Q . What is a laser nose job?
As the name suggests, the laser nose job makes use of lasers to give you the nose of your dreams. This nose job, however, is not for everyone. This is for solving smaller nose problems. The heat of the laser is used to thin the skin on the nose to achieve the desired result. It is a non-invasive procedure.
