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Filler Injections for Uneven Nostrils?

I recently had a revision rhinoplasty and I heard they can use permanent injections for ''touch ups.'' I was wondering, when can I go and ask for a little injection above the lifted nostril to make it seem less big?

Asked 35 months ago by aj88822 in binghamton,pa,US
Sort 18 expert answers by:
+2

Filler injections for uneven nostrils?

I have to admit that your nostrils, while not perfectly even, do not seem that uneven enough to warrant any type of intervention. IMHO, you shoukd just leave your nostrils alone.
Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Asymmetric Nostrils and Revision Rhinoplasty

Hi AJ, You should be very careful and avoid filler placement in your nose. Even though it may be tempting to do so, it can cause irreversible negative changes to your skin that would be very difficult to correct. It is not FDA- approved. Avoid it. The best option is to wait for one year and allow the swelling to resolve. Consult your surgeon to go over all your options. Good Luck, Dr. Sajjadian
Ali Sajjadian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+2

Caution in Using Fillers Around Nostrils

Fillers can be helpful for adjusting flaws in the nose, but mostly in the upper 2/3 of the nose. I have used fillers in the tip, but caution is essential. Your surgeon can test the correction with saline (salt water) or local anesthetic solution; these solutions will absorb quickly if the injection isn't producing the right effect, while fillers can last a long time. If the photo indicates the asymmetry about which you are concerned, I'd advise you to... more
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Nostril Asymmetry: Surgery vs. Fillers

The best bet for correcting asymmetric nostrils is revision surgery. First of all, placing fillers along the nostril edges is unreliable in revision cases as you are fighting against scar tissue in attempts to lower the nostrils. The result may be to thicken your nostril rim and create asymmetry in a different direction. Secondly, permanent fillers in the nose should be avoided, in my opinion, due to the risk of lumps or irregularities. Placement of a small cartilage graft along the rim... more
Umang Mehta, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Fillers don't last and you will be disappointed in the long run

Fillers are temporary. For uneven nostrils there are ways to do this with grafting from the septum or the ear. Excision of parts of the nostril can also help. 1. For the snarl look this can require ear grafts inside the nose to bring the edge of the nostril down 2. If it is the uneven skin portion on the sides of the nose you can make excisions around the edges and within to manipulate the way it looks 3. when it involves the portion of your nose that is in the middle or the columnella you... more
Philip Young, MD
Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Asymmetric nostrils

Asymmetric nostrils will not be improved by filler material. To correct this problem it really depends upon the asymmetry. 1) flare- nostril excision 2) width of base- nostril excision 3) thickness of nostril itself- very difficult but some doctors debulk them from within a nostril rim incision. Filler materials to make one look fuller may cause problems.
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Filler Injections for Uneven Nostrils? Be Wary!

Filler injections in the lower third of the nose, especially after scarring has taken place can be tricky. I would avoid anything permanent. In fact, your surgeon may be able to inject saline or local anesthesia in the area to "simulate" what a filler may accomplish. In the end, minor revision surgery may be the best option.
Anand D. Patel, MD
Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Do not use fillers for asymmetric nostrils

It would be a very, very bad idea to use fillers to correct any nostril asymmetry. In this area, there is a higher risk of a devastating complication, such as skin necrosis. I always advise patients that the nasal skin is very unforgiving, and the risks with filler injections are much higher. If you desire an improvement, I would suggest seeking a consultation with a surgeon who is experienced in revision rhinoplasty.
Ryan Greene, MD, PhD
Fort Lauderdale Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Avoid fillers in the lower third of the nose...

I am glad to see that most of the surgeons who have answered this advised against the use of fillers for nostril asymmetries after rhinoplasties. The likely hood of a good cosmetic outcome with these materials in the nostril is low, while the chance of a severe skin complication is high. 
Ivan Wayne, MD
Oklahoma City Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lowering retracted nostrils after Rhinoplasty Surgery may be achieved with a well performed Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty.

I read your concern and reviewed the photo of your nose. It seems like you're unhappy with the height of your nostrils. Your right nostril appears a bit higher than your left. In my practice, I have had wonderful success lowering nostril margins using Silikon-1000 as an off-label, permanent Injectable Filler. I've attached a link to a photo in my RealSelf gallery demonstrating nostril lowering using Silikon-1000. I hope this is helpful for you.
Eric M. Joseph, MD
West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Do not recommend fillers in the nose

I know that there are several surgeons offering injectable fillers in the nose.  I really do not think that this is a good idea, and definitely not in a revision rhinoplasty.  First, I am worried about decreased blood flow in the nose after surgical intervention causing complications like cellulitis.  I have seen one complication of fillers in the nose causing necrosis of skin above the nasal tip.  I really feel that changes in the shape and structure of the nose are... more
Raghu Athre, MD
Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facial fillers for nostril asymmetry - rhinoplasty

Correction of asymmetry of the nostrils is performed mainly through meticulous surgical revision.  Fillers may not provide long term or adequate response and thus should be avoided at this point. 
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Revision Rhinoplasty Procedure with Injectable Filler

First, be very careful with any injections into the nose. The nose is very susceptible to color changes, discoloration, swelling, blood flow, pain, numbness, and other potential complications with inappropriate injections into the nose. There isn't a filler on the market currently that is FDA approved for injection into the nose. Everything is being used off-label. Fillers should never be placed into the tip of the nose. Complications usually occur at the nasal tip. Fillers... more
Houtan Chaboki, MD
Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Avoid filler injections for uneven nostrils

Patients today have many different options in the techniques for rhinoplasty. Although some patients have been approached to use dermal fillers in the nostrils, we do not recommend this procedure. In our practice, dermal fillers can be used successfully on the bridge of the nose. The area the nostrils is more difficult to correct with a filler and we have seen multiple complications in patients that have received these fillers from other offices. For a safe and effective way to... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fillers won't help, you need cartilage graft

I use short-term fillers on occasion for the bridge with some success but not for the nostril margin (alar margin). To improve the asymmetry a cartilage graft is what you need. This could be a minor procedure performed with minimal internal incisions and no/minimal anesthesia.
Sam Naficy, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Non-surgical rhinoplasty and asymmetric nostrils

I have been disappointed with fillers to correct nostril asymmetries. My disappointment is even greater when it comes to noses that have already been operated upon with rhinoplasty. There are several reasons for my disappointment: 1. Temporary fillers are compressible and do not distend the tissues in the tip of the nose. What this means is when a soft filler like hyaluronic acid or injectible hydroxylapetite is injected, it does not easily stay where it is placed, leading to... more
Minas Constantinides, MD
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fillers are not a good option for treating nostril asymmetry

Fillers are not a good option for treating nostril asymmetry. In fact, they can create more asymmetry by making that nostril appear heavier. There is also the risk of skin necrosis and telangectasia occurring from broken capillaries. A better way to achieve nostril symmetry is surgical alteration to elevate the other side; however, it is near impossible to guarantee perfect nostril symmetry and scarring can occur.
Scott Trimas, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fillers May Not Be the Best Option

It is unlikely that fillers placed above the nostril will improve the asymmetry. Furthermore, when these substances are placed in areas where the skin is thin, broken capillaries can form on the surface of the skin. For a "non-surgical nose job", the deformity of the nose will dictate how much of the injectable substance is required to achieve the desired result. While injectable fillers may be appropriate for treating localized deformities such as depressions or a low bridge,... more
C. Spencer Cochran, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
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