You’re not happy with your nose, but you’re not quite ready to get surgery just to have it fixed. However, now you can, thanks to the newest non-surgical nose enhancements — like the nose threadlift, and most recently the liquid noselift.

What is a liquid noselift?

In a nutshell: it’s a non-surgical nosejob that uses injecting fillers to change your nose height or shape. Doctors will usually use hyaluronic fillers like Juvederm or Restylane. (Read more about fillers for lips.)

Fillers add volume, so this procedure works better on some type of nose jobs. For example, you want to make your nose bridge look straighter, or enhance your nose tip. It can’t make your nose look smaller, and there’s a limit to how much it can really reshape your nose.

“There are some structures or deformities are better corrected through surgical means,” says cosmetic surgeon Dr. Sheila Acosta.

rhinoplasty vs liquid noselift

Liquid noselift vs. nose threadlifts

Nose threadlifts are another kind of non-surgical nosejob. The doctor uses fine threads that lift the nose and encourage collagen to form in specific areas. Results last about 1 to 2 years, which is longer than nose fillers. However, you will still need touch-ups.

No procedure is “better” than the other; it boils down to what can help you achieve your desired nose shape. Fillers can help enhance your nose tip or nose bridge (for example, if you have a flat nose) but they can make your nose look bigger. Threadlifts can make your nose look slimmer, and help your nose contour (for example, if you have a wide nose, or it looks off center or you don’t like the angle). In some cases, you may want a combination of both treatments.

However, only an experienced cosmetic dermatologist or surgeon can really give concrete, accurate and personalized advice on what’s best for you.

Liquid noselift vs surgical Rhinoplasty

The surgical nose job is permanent and can give the most dramatic results. It can also correct structural deformities that affect breathing and sinuses. However, it’s expensive, and you’ll need several weeks to recover. (Read about What To Expect from a Rhinoplasty, from the People Who Got One.)

Another consideration is cost. Fillers are significantly more affordable than surgery. That’s why liquid noselifts have become one of the most common cosmetic procedures in the world — one report on Korean beauty trends said that some teens even ask for this as a graduation present!

The risks of liquid noselifts

“Liquid rhinoplasty, as seen on social media, appears to be this quick and easy thing — but it’s not a treatment to be taken lightly,” says New York cosmetic dermatologist Shereene Idris.

That’s because the arteries around the nose are connected to the eye’s retina, while those around the nostrils play a huge role in delivering oxygen and nutrients to the skin tissue.

That’s why complications — while unusual — isn’t something to shrug off. Think: blindness, skin death, and tissue decay.

That’s why Dr. Idris urges anyone who wants a liquid noselift to go to trained, licensed, board-certified and experienced doctors who understand human nasal anatomy. Find a doctor you can trust, and don’t be afraid to ask questions during your first appointment.

Are liquid noselifts permanent?

No. Like all fillers, they’ll eventually dissolve on their own. Results usually last from 10 months to a year. That can be a good thing, if you want to “test out” a nose shape before committing to a more permanent rhinoplasty.

Can I correct a nosejob I don’t like?

That’s another advantage of liquid noselifts. if your doctor used hyaluronic fillers, he can dissolve them with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. Unfortunately, this won’t work on other types of fillers like Botox.