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dermal fillers
Liquid Rhinoplasty: A Methodological Approach to Injection Protocols
Jun 20, 2025
Much like the increasingly popular nose thread lift, a liquid nose job offers a non-surgical way to improve the shape and profile of the nose.
This injectable procedure is relatively quick, minimally painful, and far more affordable than traditional surgery, which makes it a great option for those looking to fix nose irregularities, contours, or tip elevation.
In this article, we’ll go over what a liquid nose job is, how it works, and the step-by-step injection protocol used to achieve safe and natural-looking results.
Key Takeaways
- Liquid rhinoplasty reshapes the nose with injectable fillers instead of surgery, which makes it perfect for fixing small bumps or uneven areas.
- Results typically last 1-2 years and work well for 84-95% of patients wanting to smooth humps or refine their nasal tip.
- Practitioners have to choose the right filler type and injection spots to make the liquid nose job look natural and avoid complications.
- A nonsurgical rhinoplasty only adds volume to the nose instead of removing it, so patients wanting a smaller nose need traditional surgery instead.
- While a liquid nose job is generally safe, patients can experience rare but serious risks like clotted blood vessels.
What Is a Liquid Nose Job?
A liquid nose job, also known as a nonsurgical rhinoplasty (NSR), is an outpatient procedure that involves the precise injection of dermal fillers to reshape the nose without the need for incisions, sutures, or general anesthesia.1
The procedure uses FDA-approved hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers that give a safer, more predictable profile.
In the right hands, this technique helps clinicians reduce the appearance of dorsal humps, lift and define the nasal tip, and correct minor contour irregularities through volume redistribution instead of structural alteration.
How Does a Liquid Nose Job Work?
A liquid nose job uses HA fillers like Juvederm or Restylane to shape the outer structure of the nose. The filler is injected into the soft tissue layer just above the cartilage or bone. This helps smooth out bumps, straighten crooked contours, or raise a low nasal bridge.2
HA is used because it has a strong safety record. If there’s a problem or the result doesn’t meet expectations, hyaluronidase can dissolve the product.
The patient also stays awake during the procedure. That way, the clinician can make continuous visual assessments, get feedback after each injection, and guide the filler placement toward the desired outcome.
However, a liquid nose job cannot remove tissue, narrow the nose, or fix breathing problems. It works by adding volume, so it cannot decrease tip width, deproject an overextended dorsum, or reduce alar base flare.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Liquid Nose Job?
A liquid rhinoplasty is best for patients with mild to moderate nasal contour deformities who seek temporary aesthetic correction without undergoing surgery. It may also benefit patients with post-surgical contour defects who prefer not to pursue revision rhinoplasty.
Ideal candidates for nose fillers include those looking for:
- Dorsal hump camouflage
- Radix augmentation
- Correction of minor saddle nose deformities
- Refinement of sidewall asymmetries
- Tip projection or rotation adjustments
- Supratip or infratip definition
- Alar or columellar retraction (mild cases)
This procedure works well in both primary and secondary cases, provided the goal involves surface correction through volume addition, not structural reduction.
Patients who require reduction rhinoplasty, such as people with larger noses, are not good candidates, because the addition of filler will increase nasal volume rather than decrease it.
The same goes for patients with significant internal valve collapse or functional airway obstruction. They should be referred for surgical management because injectables do not address airflow. 3
Injection Technique for Liquid Rhinoplasty
Different deformities require different approaches to plane, volume, and vector. Filler rheology (like the G’ value and cohesivity) will also affect where and how clinicians can deposit the product.
Here is the most commonly used injection technique for liquid rhinoplasty:
- Obtain written consent covering procedural goals, filler selection, and potential complications like skin necrosis, vascular occlusion, and vision loss.
- Capture standardized preprocedure images from multiple angles (frontal, oblique, lateral, and basal).
- Apply benzocaine/lidocaine/tetracaine compound cream 15–30 minutes prior, if needed, for patient comfort. This step is optional.
- Cleanse the treatment area using 70% isopropyl alcohol or 4.0% chlorhexidine gluconate. Use sterile gloves and instruments.
- Use a 30-gauge needle for most sites. You may need to use a microcannula for some lateral areas or deeper structures.
- Insert the needle at the midline and deposit filler in the supraperiosteal or supraperichondrial plane. You should avoid superficial planes to reduce the risk of vascular compression.
- Apply negative pressure before each bolus. Although it is not foolproof, aspiration can reduce the chance of intravascular injection.
- Inject <0.1 ml per bolus with minimal pressure. You should evaluate the nasal contour after each deposit.
- Gently shape and distribute filler after each placement to refine the surface and symmetry.
- Evaluate the patient from multiple angles to check for irregularities and make sure there are no signs of vascular compromise.
- Take post-procedure photos once the procedure is complete.4
Targeted Injection Strategies Based on Indication
Injection sites and techniques used during a liquid nose job depend on the anatomical feature being corrected and the characteristics of the filler. Here’s a breakdown of common indications and how filler can be placed for each:
| Indication | Target Site | Approach | Typical Volume |
| Low radix | Nasal root (radix) | Place boluses supraperiosteally at the radix to raise the nasal starting point | ≤ 0.05 ml per bolus |
| Dorsal hump | Above and below hump | Fill superiorly and inferiorly to mask prominence; avoid tip overfilling | < 0.05 ml per site |
| Saddle nose | Central dorsum (with septal support) | Inject against the septum to support the dorsal soft tissues; avoid in cases with absent support | Variable |
| Sidewall concavities | Lateral nasal walls | Inject into concave zones using a midline-to-lateral oblique angle or directly from lateral entry | 0.05–0.1 ml per site |
| Tip projection | Tip lobule (midline) | Place bolus deep into tip for added projection (cap/shield graft mimic) | ≤ 0.1 ml total |
| Supratip break definition | Just above the tip | Create a slight depression proximal to the tip for contour refinement | Tiny incremental boluses |
| Alar retraction | Alar rim (lateral to dome) | Inject subdermally or deeper to provide a subtle lowering | Very small, ≤ 0.05 ml |
| Columellar retraction | Midline columella | Deep injection to restore length and drop the columellar base slightly | ≤ 0.1 ml |
| Nasal valve narrowing | Internal nasal valve | Use a speculum to inject filler near the junction of the upper lateral cartilage and septum (spreader graft) | Small boluses, titrated |
| External valve collapse | Alar rim | Place filler parallel to the rim for structural support (batten or rim graft mimic) | ≤ 0.1 ml |
Side Effects of Liquid Rhinoplasty
Liquid rhinoplasty is generally well tolerated, but as with any procedure involving dermal fillers, complications can occur. Most patients experience mild, short-lived effects like bruising, edema, and tenderness at the injection site. These issues usually resolve within days.5
Other localized reactions include:
- Ecchymosis
- Hyperpigmentation
- Tyndall effect (a bluish discoloration when filler is placed too superficially)
- Nodule or granuloma formation
Some rare, serious complications are also reported.6 These include:
- Vascular compromise
- Skin ischemia and necrosis
- Vision loss
- Cerebrovascular events like stroke
A 2021 meta-analysis of 8,604 patients undergoing nonsurgical rhinoplasty found an overall complication rate of 2.52%. Bruising (1.58%) was the most common, followed by vascular occlusion (0.35%), vision loss (0.09%), and necrosis (0.08%).
Source High-Quality Liquid Nose Fillers Through Maylips
Clinicians who perform non-surgical rhinoplasty need access to reliable, high-performance dermal fillers, especially those with high G’ and strong cohesivity.
At Maylips, you’ll find original, name-brand injectables like Restylane and Juvederm, sourced directly from licensed manufacturers in Europe. We are a verified distributor committed to quality, authenticity, and fast global delivery.
If you’re restocking for routine treatments or preparing for more complex nasal corrections, Maylips offers competitive pricing without cutting corners on product integrity. Browse our selection of high-quality HA nose fillers today.
FAQs
How Long Does a Liquid Nose Job Last?
The duration of results after a liquid nose job depends on the filler used and the area of injection. Fillers like Restylane and Juvederm usually last 6 to 18 months, but in nasal applications, they have been reported to last up to eight years after an injection.
Is Liquid Rhinoplasty Permanent?
No, liquid rhinoplasty is not permanent. Fillers break down naturally over 6–24 months, depending on metabolism and filler type.
To maintain results, touch-up sessions are needed every 1–2 years (or sooner for quick metabolizers).
Is Liquid Rhinoplasty Worth It?
Liquid rhinoplasty is an appealing non-surgical alternative for nasal reshaping, with 84-95% of patients reporting being pleased with their outcomes.7,8 The immediate results, minimal downtime, and reversible nature make it a great option for those looking to avoid surgery.
However, liquid rhinoplasty isn’t the right solution for everyone.
While it is cost-effective at first, the temporary nature of the treatment means patients will need maintenance sessions every 12–24 months. Over several years, these recurring costs may approach the price of permanent surgical rhinoplasty.
References
1. Hall SS, Kontis TC. Nonsurgical rhinoplasty. World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2023;9(3):212-219. Published 2023 Jul 2. doi:10.1002/wjo2.104
2. Choi MS. Basic rheology of dermal filler. Arch Plast Surg. 2020;47(4):301-304. doi:10.5999/aps.2020.00731
3. Harb A, Brewster CT. The Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty: A Retrospective Review of 5000 Treatments. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2020;145(3):661-667. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000006554
4. Kontis, T. C., & Lacombe, V. G. Thieme. 2018;218. Cosmetic injection techniques.
5. DeVictor S, Ong AA, Sherris DA. Complications Secondary to Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2021;165(5):611-616. doi:10.1177/0194599820987827
6. Mella J, Oyer S. Nonsurgical rhinoplasty: prevention and management of associated complications. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022;30(4):241-248. doi:10.1097/MOO.0000000000000818
7. Giammarioli G, Liberti A. Non-surgical rhinoplasty technique: An innovative approach for nasal reshaping with hyaluronic acid fillers. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023;22(7):2054-2062. doi:10.1111/jocd.15669
8. Josipovic LN, Sattler S, Schenck TL, Sattler G. Five-point liquid rhinoplasty: Results from a retrospective analysis of a novel standardized technique and considerations on safety. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022;21(11):5614-5620. doi:10.1111/jocd.15326