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Nose Job Surgery Vs Nose Threadlift

Understanding Rhinoplasty Vs Nose Thread Lift

When looking at a person’s face, the nose is probably the second feature you notice, the eyes being first. With the advancement in aesthetic innovations, you can now explore different ways to enhance your look with a further defined, lifted nose. From choosing a surgical procedure such as a rhinoplasty, called nose job surgery, to a non-surgical nose threadlift, there are several aspects to consider on what fits best for you. 

What is a Nose Job Surgery (Rhinoplasty)?

A rhinoplasty surgery is a nose job to enhance the shape of the nose so that it harmoniously balances with your facial features, if only aesthetic aspects are considered. In some cases, this procedure can also be functional and improve your breathing, by correcting bad curvature or collapsed nasal valves. Well executed rhinoplasties are aesthetically pleasing and will improve your appearance. Plastic surgeons perform highly-refined work involving the sculpting of cartilage, skin and bone to achieve the patient’s desired look. The technique used depends largely on your desired results.

A rhinoplasty can help to address some of the following concerns: 

  • Reduction of the size or width of the nose
  • Slim or reduce nostril flares
  • Reshaping of the nose tip
  • Smoothening of nose humps
  • Straightening crooked appearance
  • Increasing or reducing the bridge height

What are the different approaches to Nose Job Surgery?

Depending on the need for functional correction and aesthetic goals, the surgeon will assess whether it can be achieved via a closed (endonasal) or open approach. 

What is a Rhinoplasty?

A closed technique keeps all incisions inside the nostril, with no external scars. This technique is suitable for patients who desire augmentation or reduction of the nose bridge, with minimal change to the length of the nose and moderate change to the appearance of the nasal tip.

  • Implant-based: The closed rhinoplasty is performed with a silicon I-shaped implant that is carefully carved to the patient’s specific requirements.
  • Autologous: The patient’s own tissue is used for augmentation of the nose bridge.
  • Hybrid: An implant and cartilage composite construct is used for augmentation of the bridge as well as the tip.

Open rhinoplasty is performed when the patient requires significant nasal tip surgery, where the rhinoplasty is a revision procedure or performed for functional reasons (for example, to alleviate nasal obstruction). This involves a small 5mm scar across the columella, with the other incisions hidden within the nostril.

  • Autologous: The open rhinoplasty is performed using only the patient’s own tissue, usually cartilage harvested from the ear or rarely, the ribs. A combination of umbrella cartilage grafts, spreader grafts, caudal septal grafts and/or derotation cartilage grafts is used.
  • Hybrid: The rhinoplasty is performed using a combination of a silicone implant for the nose bridge and the patient’s own cartilage for the nasal tip and mid-vault.

The choice between an autologous or a hybrid technique is dependent on the requirements of each individual patient.

Pros and Cons of Nose Job Surgery

With the choice of a closed or open approach, there are advantages for both procedures.

Advantages of Nose Job Surgery

Closed Approach:

  • No external scars
  • Less swelling
  • Shorter recovery time
  • Reduced operative time although in some cases, a closed approach may need a longer time than an open approach

Open Approach:

  • More accurate diagnosis 
  • More precise correction 
  • Increased options with grafts

While there are advantages of both options, there are also disadvantages to consider when you choose to do this procedure. Deformities are a common complication of a nose job surgery. About 10% of the patients after primary rhinoplasty complain about residual or new breathing problems because of these deformities. [1]

Disadvantages of Rhinoplasty

Closed Approach:

  • Requires 2 to 6 weeks of recovery time

Open Approach:

  • May have scarring
  • Longer recovery time of 2 to 3 months

What is Nose Job Surgery Generally Like?

The procedure for rhinoplasty will begin with a consultation with Dr Samuel Ho. During the consultation, you will discuss with him the choice of surgery and the kind of aesthetics you are looking at. 

Thereafter, he will assess your nose and advise on the type of rhinoplasty surgery best suited for you. After the consultation, the reception will arrange the necessary should you wish to proceed with the surgery. This includes advising you on surgery costs, arranging instalment payments if needed, surgery date, as well as going through with you the do’s and don’ts pre- and post-surgery.

During the day of surgery, pre-surgical markings will be done on your nose and you will be sedated for the procedure. The choice of anaesthesia will be dependent on the extent of the rhinoplasty procedure and the accompanying risks. The choices of anaesthesia are general anaesthesia, moderate sedation or local anaesthesia - with the majority of rhinoplasties done under moderate sedation.

In moderate sedation, the patient is given intravenous medication (via the vein) for sedation and pain relief, before administering local anaesthesia to the nose. This would be generally performed as a day surgery procedure that usually takes between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the requirements for surgery.   

These procedures may vary depending on your nose and the aesthetics you are looking at. As such, it is important to assess it with Dr Ho to understand the procedure further. 

What is a Nose Threadlift?

What is a Nose Thread Lift?

Also known as a “lunchtime nose job”, a nose threadlift is another option you may consider to achieve your desired look. This is a non-surgical procedure that uses absorbable threads that are 100% bio-compatible with your body.

With 6 months to a year, the threads will naturally and gradually dissolve within the skin. However, the effects of a threadlift may last for 1-2 years, lasting even after all the threads have dissolved. 

The nose threadlift is achieved by placing fine threads along the nasal bridge to lift the nose bridge. These threads also inspire a healing response from within the skin, causing the body to direct a large surge of collagen to the treated area. Collagen is important in combating ageing and giving your skin a youthful look. [2]

Pros and Cons of Nose Thread Lift

Despite nose thread lifts being increasingly popular, there are also certain aspects to assess prior to your decision.

Advantages of Nose Thread Lift

  • Minimal downtime
  • Lower cost compared to Rhinoplasty
  • Less invasive  

Disadvantages of Nose Thread Lift

  • Creates internal scarring that makes future rhinoplasty surgery more difficult
  • Thread extrusion
  • Not permanent

What is a Nose Threadlift Procedure Generally like?

Prior to your procedure, a consultation with Dr Ho will be required to discuss the look that you would like to achieve. Thereafter, you can decide if you want to proceed with the procedure.

During the procedure, he will inject you with a local anaesthetic in order to numb the relevant parts of your face. This will take about 10-15 minutes. Under local anaesthesia, he will use a needle to insert the threads to create a lifting effect.

He will also assess the “weight” of the patient’s skin prior to the threadlift to ascertain if the lifting effect will be sustained.

The entire procedure can take anywhere between 15 to 45 minutes.

Which Procedure Is Best?

Depending on your personal goals and aesthetics, it is essential to explore and assess what would be the best fit for you. Do extensive research and we would also advise seeking a consultation with a specialist before making any final decisions.

  1. Rettinger G. (2007). Risks and complications in rhinoplasty. GMS current topics in otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery6, Doc08.
  2. Wong, V. (2021). The Science of Absorbable Poly (L-Lactide-Co-ε-Caprolactone) Threads for Soft Tissue Repositioning of the Face: An Evidence-Based Evaluation of Their Physical Properties and Clinical Application. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology14, 45.