Can I Use Corticosteroid on the Nose for a Small Reduction?

Question

Instead of a doctor peeling back nose skin from the tip to operate on cartilage, can I use corticosteroid on the nose for small reduction?

Lawrence W. Shaw, MD · Answer

Without a consultation or photos it is difficult to access your nasal contour issues. It is possible that your tip contains a lot of cartilage or is bulbous and your plastic surgeon mentioned an "open" approach where he would "peel back the skin from the tip" of your nose. Topical or injectable steroids would not correct this issue and would probably make the skin thinner. An open rhinoplasty, in my hands, is the best way to correct a bulbous nasal tip with excision, grafting and suture contouring techniques. Some surgeons claim they can correct the bulbous tip with a closed technique, however, I'm happier with my results with the open approach. Hope that helps. Dr. Shaw

Rian A. Maercks, MD · Answer

Using corticosteroids in place of a rinoplasty is irresponsible and can result in difficult reconstructive problems.  Your skin does not have to be peeled back, this is called an open rhinoplasty and is associated with higher risks and prolonged recovery.  I prefer to use closed rhinoplasty which uses only access inside the nostrils.

	 

	All the best,

	 

	Rian A. Maercks M.D.

Michelle Spring, MD, FACS · Answer

Topical and injectible steroids have a specific purpose and are not to be used for a nasal reduction or in the place of surgery. They affect the skin and subcutaneous tissue or scar tissue, and will have no positive effect on the underlying structure of your nose and can do significant damage to your tissues if used improperly.

Anita Patel, MD, FACS · Answer

Using topical corticosteroid on the nose will not give you a smaller nose or reduce the size of your tip. Steroid injections after surgery can help reduce soft tissue or post-operative scar when used judiciously by your surgeon. Steroid injections are not used in place of a rhinoplasty, and will not reshape or reduce your tip cartilage. There are also risks to steroid injections such as uneven depressions, hypopigmentation, and thinning of the skin.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

Cortisone is not for cartilage reduction of the nose. The small amount of reduction can be done closed but requires surgery.

Remus Repta, MD · Answer

Hello,

	Thank you for the question.  You have some options for contouring the dorsum of your nose including closed rhinoplasty, open rhinoplasty, fillers, and steroid injection.  I would have a few consultations with board certified plastic surgeons to see which option would be the best for you and for you to understand the pros and cons of each option.

	All the best,

	Dr. Remus Repta

Michael L. Schwartz, MD · Answer

Don't over think it. You cannot create structural reduction and shaping with cortisone injection. You read about it on this website but it is always in the context of post op swelling, not primary treatment.

Edward Szachowicz, MD, PhD · Answer

Small changes are possible with injectable fillers, and are safer than steroids.

	Small bumbs can be made to look less apparent with the placement of a small amount of Injectable filler above and below the bump to give a smoother appearance acroos the bridge of the nose. This can work especially well as the correction can be done very slowly to adjust the profile.

	Fillers then can be repeated as necessary until a rhinoplasty works for you.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD · Answer

Steroid treatment of the nose, either topically or by injection, is not a substitute for a formal rhinoplasty. It may be used as an adjunct for very specific though rare indications. On the down side,it can cause significant local side effects on the tissues with its narrow margin of safety.

	If you want your nose contoured, then a rhinoplasty is your "choice".

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

Steroid injections can help save the day for a very few with scar in the area above the tip after rhinoplasty, but injections will not allow shaping of the nose without surgery. You will only find trouble.
	Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com

Can I Use Corticosteroid on the Nose for a Small Reduction?

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