Is there anything non surgical that is effective for reducing cartilage/rounder tip and controlling swelling?

Question

I had a septoplasty along with a few rhinoplasty to correct deviation and address bump on bridge that got bigger due to an injury. This surgery was over 6 years ago. My tip of my nose is much rounder and swells more than it used to ever since the surgery. I went back in to surgeon 1x to adress but wasn’t healed enough. But 6yrs out it still bothers me and now I’ve moved and old surgeon is retired. I really don’t want revision surgery as I’ve heard that is complicated and I’ve known people who have gone through it and ended up worse off and I don’t want to mess my nose up more but I’m just not liking my rounder tip nose. Is there anything non surgical that is effective for reducing cartilage/rounder tip and controlling swelling?

Mert Demirel, MD · Answer

At 6 years after rhinoplasty, persistent roundness of the tip is usually not simple swelling alone. It may be due to scar tissue, thicker skin, cartilage shape, loss of tip support, or the way the soft tissue healed after surgery.
Non-surgical treatments cannot truly reduce cartilage or reshape the nasal tip in a reliable way. Steroid injections may help if there is localized scar tissue or thick soft-tissue swelling, but they must be used very carefully because they can cause skin thinning, dents, pigment changes, or irregularities.
Taping, massage, lymphatic drainage, and anti-inflammatory measures may help temporary swelling, but at 6 years they are unlikely to significantly change the structure of the tip. Fillers can sometimes camouflage small irregularities, but they do not make a round tip smaller and can even make the nose look larger.
If the problem is cartilage shape or lack of definition, the only reliable correction is revision tip rhinoplasty. That does not mean you need to rush into surgery, but it does mean expectations for non-surgical improvement should be modest.
My advice would be to see a revision rhinoplasty specialist for an exam, even if you do not want surgery now. Ask whether the roundness is from scar tissue, thick skin, or cartilage structure. If it is scar-related, a very conservative injection may be considered. If it is structural, observation or carefully planned revision are the realistic options.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. It would be helpful to view some pictures of your nose in order to give the most detailed advice. Generally speaking revision Rhinoplasty produces the best result when good technique is used. Make sure you are going to a surgeon with hundreds of long-term before and after pictures on their website with standardized lighting and standardized backgrounds. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS
Harvard-trained board certified plastic surgeon

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS
Harvard-trained board certified plastic surgeon

Lexie Wang, MD · Answer

Not likely something non-surgical that addresses both. Adding volume/projection, such as with filler, can make the illusion appear as if your tip is smaller/more defined, but it will absolutely come with more swelling. If you are still getting swelling here and there, it's possible to consider trialing steroid injections to see if you can get that to calm down.

Is there anything non surgical that is effective for reducing cartilage/rounder tip and controlling swelling?

Answers (3)

More Rhinoplasty Questions

I have a round bulbous nose tip. What type of rhinoplasty can I do? (Photos)

Would straightening my nose help with the length and hump without changing too much of its shape? (Photos)

Would a rhinoplasty make my nose straighter? (Photos)

What would improve the look of my wide-tipped nose? (Photos)

Can I Use A Vibration Plate After Alar & Columella Grafts?

Can keloid injections cause blindness?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS