We can all remember the cautionary tales told about traditional nose jobs, (in case you are lucky enough not to have heard them, they mainly involve surgeons, chisels and broken noses). But as non-surgical aesthetic alternatives have become more and more sophisticated, there has become less need to undergo the invasive – and expensive – procedures of yesteryear to get the desired results.
In fact, research conducted by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has noted that the number of cosmetic surgical procedures have dropped considerably since 2015, with consultant plastic surgeon and former BAAPS President Rajiv Grover citing the cause of the decline as the increase in non-surgical alternatives such as Botox and dermal fillers.
Famed for its ability to smooth wrinkles, Botox is now being used by doctors for a myriad of aesthetic and medical reasons, including to alleviate teeth grinding and tension headaches and even for its ability to stop excessive sweating. Similarly, dermal fillers have become far more diverse in their application, available in a range of consistencies to better suit a specific purpose. lip fillers may be softer to mimic the feel of natural lips, while filler used to add structure to the nose will be slightly firmer. This way, doctors are able to alter the shape of the nose, able to make it straighter, less or more upturned, and change the thickness – all without a scalpel or operating theatre in sight.
Now, it seems, there’s yet another way to achieve a non-surgical nose job – nose threading, also known as the Hiko Nose Lift or the ‘lunchtime nose job’ due to its speedy completion and lack of lengthy recovery time. The procedure was developed in Seoul 15 years ago but become popular all over the world in more recent years. It involves inserting a piece of polydioxanone (PDO) threads through the tip of the nose to lift the tip of the nose and straighten and refine the bridge.
Unlike dermal fillers, which can migrate away from the treatment area causing unintentional lumps, the threads are not able to move from their original position, which also reduces the risk of the blood vessels becoming disturbed or damaged.
While the threads dissolve completely and safely meaning the procedure is non-permanent, the results are significantly longer lasting than dermal fillers with the effects expected to last 2 years. Plus, the thread encourages natural collagen production, which adds further structure, firmness and contour to the area.
However, as with all cosmetic procedures, there is an element of risk and it’s important to research exactly what is involved, check the medical credentials of your practitioner, and take time to consider your options.
