Can I fix nasal valve collapse with filler such as restylane

Hello and thank you for your question. Unfortunately no, surgery is the best option to address internal nasal valve collapse, and can also alter the cosmetic appearance of your nose. The internal nasal valve collapse is due to the underlying anatomy present- a combination of your upper lateral cartilages and your septal cartilage- to address this functional concern, you need very precise placement of spreader grafts to re-open the valve and facilitate proper nasal airflow. This is done during a rhinoplasty surgery. Filler would not be precise or strong enough to achieve this purpose- and filler is temporary since it dissolves over time. Actually, addressing the shape of the nose (especially the nasal tip), and improving breathing due to functional concerns are actually two of the most common reasons people seek out and undergo a rhinoplasty procedure.

In addition to addressing your aesthetic concerns, your septal cartilage (or an off-the-shelf alternative) would be harvested (removed) and turned into multiple cartilage grafts, which would then be secured into different areas of your nose for structural support, including in the columella (middle bottom portion of your nose between your nostrils) to really reinforce the tip and prevent long term alterations/distortions to nose shape.

The open approach is very effective in facilitating complex, precise maneuvers to refine the nasal shape and size to a particular aesthetic and look. Rhinoplasty is arguably the most difficult procedure to perform in all of plastic surgery. I would only recommend going to see a surgeon who feels very comfortable with both primary and revision rhinoplasty procedures, and who has significant training and experience in these types of surgeries. This is a surgery of millimeters, so if the surgeon you're going to only does 1-2 per month, you are not going to get the best result possible.

Of course it is always difficult to provide tentative surgical recommendations, as there is only so much information to be gained from the photos and description provided.

Dr. Donald Groves, our expert facial plastic surgeon, has extensive training and experience with complex rhinoplasty surgeries, so I’d recommend for you to come see him (or another plastic surgeon who is extremely comfortable with rhinoplasties) for a formal consultation to thoroughly discuss your surgical goals, undergo a formal examination, evaluate all your options (surgical and nonsurgical), and decide on the best procedure(s) and type of anesthesia for your specific case. I hope this helps!

Dr. Emer

When somebody has both a functional and a cosmetic issue with their nose, we typically recommend rhinoplasty surgery for the sake of improving symmetry and for improving the airway. Fillers will not help with your Airway. Latera is of questionable longevity. I hope this helps!