Nose filler and nose thread are both non-surgical nose enhancement procedures that are very effective replacement to Rhinoplasty, transforming your nose into your ideal shape & size.
If you are looking to choose between the two, please read on to understand the two procedures and the following considerations are worth thinking through before you make a decision to achieve your perfect nose.
What is Nose Filler?
Also known as the “lunch break” nose job, nose fillers are becoming very popular because the whole procedure takes no more than 30 minutes, and results are immediate. It is also non-surgical which greatly reduces the risk and stigma that people associate with plastic surgeries.
How does nose fillers work?
The nose filler is injected through tiny needles into the nose bridge and followed by moulding of the nose, making it look perfectly straight. It can also be injected around the tip of the nose to make it look lifted, thinner and more elegant.
Fillers are also used to correct a droopy tip by boosting the tip up, or on mildly crooked noses by filling up the sharp angles.
The whole process will be painless, if not only mild pain will be experienced as the fillers contain some local anaesthesia in them.
What to expect after getting nose fillers?
Nose fillers typically lasts for 1-1.5 years, depending on the type of fillers used. This is also one of the reasons why nose fillers are preferred over Rhinoplasty – with the option to change the shape of your nose, or to reverse the process if you are unsatisfied with the results.
Are the chemicals in nose fillers safe?
Nose fillers consists of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance which has already existed in our body. It is biocompatible and biodegradable. It will be digested and removed from our body naturally.
What is Nose Thread?
Like nose fillers, thread is a non-surgical procedure to help get your nose into the ideal shape or size that you desire. Nose thread uses absorbable threads (sutures) made of polydioxanone (PDO) that are 100% biocompatible with the human body.
How does nose threading work?
People who faces the issues of having noses which lacks height and projection can benefit from nose threading. Nose threads are inserted vertically and horizontally under the soft tissues of the nose tip and the nose bridge respectively. About 3-6 threads are used to lift the nose tip while about 6-9 threads are used for the nose bridge, varying according to the individual. The threads act as a frame and helps to contour the nose, giving it an instant lift. There will not be any cuts on the skin throughout the process. The whole process will take about 15 minutes, and local anaesthesia will be given before the procedure.
What to expect after nose threading?
After the treatment, there may be some swelling, but it will subside within the next 1-2 days. There should be no problems resuming normal everyday life immediately after the procedure.
The nose threads will completely dissolve after 9-12 months. However, the nose will stay in its lifted position for about 18 months.
Are the threads used in nose threading safe?
PDO material has been in use in the medical industry for more than 30 years for various purposes. PDO threads have high tensile strength, good elasticity and smooth tissue passage, and meet all the requirement of surgical stitches set by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). PDO threads are also biocompatible with the body and will dissolve and be naturally disposed of by the body.
Differences between Nose Thread & Nose Fillers
Nose thread can be done within 15 minutes while nose filler takes a little longer time, usually between 20-30 minutes. Nose filler requires moulding by the doctor but nose thread doesn’t need to.
Both are equally comfortable, after a good local anaesthetic.
Nose filler is reversible in 1 day with Hyalase injection while nose thread is not.
Generally both filler and thread last about 12-18 months.
Rare but serious side effect of filler injection is vascular compromise, which is caused by filler being injected into blood vessel. This can cause skin necrosis (usually treatable with immediate reversal of the filler). Risk of vascular compromise is almost zero for nose threading.
For people with lower/flat nose bridge and seeking to have a higher nose bridge, nose filler is a better option because of the greater volume expansion. Nose thread is more effective in defining and contouring the nose.
Prominent nasal bone can cause this problem. It is best treated with filler, in order to produce a smooth nose bridge
With this knowledge of nose filler and thread, it will better prepare yourself before seeing your doctor for nose treatment.
If you are still unsure which nose enhancement treatment is suitable for you, you can book an appointment here with Dr Wong to better recommend you.