If you've ever wished you could change something about your nose, you're not alone. Rhinoplasty—or nose job or nose reshaping as it's often referred—is one of the top cosmetic surgical procedures performed in the United States.1 Depending on whether you're looking to alter your nose to enhance your appearance or to help you breathe better, you have a few options to choose from, including non-surgical nose jobs.
Here's an introduction to what you should know about nose job procedures, from types and preparation to recovery and results. If you are interested in learning more about related expenses, read our Nose Job Costs, Financing, & Insurance Guide.
What Is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that changes the shape of your nose by modifying or removing bone or cartilage. While it's considered a cosmetic procedure and often done for aesthetics, it can also be performed alongside a septoplasty which can help improve your breathing. A septoplasty is done to straighten a deviated septum, which is when the bone and cartilage that divides your nostrils become crooked.
What is a non-surgical nose job?
A non-surgical nose job, also sometimes called liquid rhinoplasty, is a quick in-office cosmetic treatment that involves injecting filler into the nose. It's a type of nose job, but it's much quicker than a traditional rhinoplasty. Fillers can be used to minimize the appearance of unwanted facial features (i.e., a bump on the nose) or soften angles, though these results are only temporary. Results should last between eight to 16 months.
12 Types of Nose Jobs
There are several types of nose jobs to address different concerns. Sometimes a nose job is performed to restore the nose after an injury or because of a congenital defect. Nose jobs are also used to correct aesthetic concerns, such as to reduce the length of the nose or width of the nostrils, or to remove a bump or change the slope or angle of the nose.
Below is an overview of the 12 most common types of nose jobs:
- Open rhinoplasty is the most common type and is performed via incisions made on the outside of the nose on the columella, which is the strip of tissue between the nostrils.
- Closed rhinoplasty (also called “scarless rhinoplasty") is performed via incisions made inside the nose.
- Tip-plasty (or tip refinement rhinoplasty) is an open procedure used to reshape only the tip of the nose to raise a drooping tip or narrow a bulbous nose.
- Alarplasty, or alar base reduction, is a procedure used to reduce the appearance of flared or open nostrils by reducing the alar, which is the fleshy tissue that connects your nostrils to your face.
- Non-surgical nose job (or filler nose job or 15-minute nose job), uses fillers to temporarily change the shape of the nose by smoothing out bumps or softening angles.
- Ethnic nose job encompasses any type of rhinoplasty that works with skin color and physical features and characteristics common among certain ethnicities.
- Nose augmentation involves rearranging, rather than removing or adding to the nose, to make subtle changes to the angles and definition in order to balance the nose's proportions.
- Secondary or revision rhinoplasty is performed on a person who has already had one or more nose jobs and is looking for improvement.
- Reduction is any rhinoplasty procedure that involves removing cartilage or bone to reduce the size of the nose.
- Post-traumatic rhinoplasty is performed following an injury to the nose to repair damage or even reconstruct parts of the nose.
- Reconstructive rhinoplasty is used to rebuild the nose and can entail anything from using skin grafts following skin cancer surgery to reconstructing the entire nose after an injury.
- Septoplasty repairs a deviated septum.
Preparing for a Nose Job
A consultation with a cosmetic surgeon is the first step if you're considering any type of nose job. The consultation provides you the opportunity to discuss your goals for your appearance and breathing. During your appointment, the surgeon will also ask about your medical history, examine your face and nose, and then discuss the different options available to change the shape of your nose.
How Much is a Nose Job?
The average cost of a rhinoplasty procedure is $5,483.1 However, the price can vary depending on factors such as anesthesia, surgeon fees, operating room fees, pre- and post-op medications, medical tests and bloodwork, post-surgery dressings, and recovery time.
Here's a look at just how widely costs can range—and how high the price can get—for different rhinoplasty procedures.2
Procedure | Cost |
---|---|
Open rhinoplasty | $7,500-$15,000 |
Closed rhinoplasty | $3,000-$12,000 |
Septorhinoplasty (rhinoplasty + septoplasty) | $6,000-$10,000 |
Revision rhinoplasty | $7,500-$15,000 |
Ethnic rhinoplasty | $3,000-$10,000 |
How Much is a Liquid Nose Job?
Because non-surgical or liquid nose jobs don't require anesthesia and are quicker than a traditional rhinoplasty, they can be far less expensive, averaging about $1,161.3 However, prices can get significantly higher—as high as $2,800—depending on the amount of filler needed, the brand of filler, the doctor's experience, and the location.
Here's the average cost of different injectable fillers that are used in liquid nose jobs:1
Procedure | Cost |
---|---|
Hyaluronic acid fillers (Juvederm, Restylane, and Belotero) | $684 |
Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers (Radiesse) | $717 |
Polymethyl-methacrylate microsphere fillers (Bellafill) | $1,058 |
Non-surgical nose jobs don't require time off for recovery, so you don't need to factor in the loss of income like you would for a traditional rhinoplasty. The most common side effects are relatively minor, like bruising, swelling, and tenderness to the injected area. However, because the results are temporary, you might need to repeat injections every one to three years, which can add up over time. Traditional rhinoplasty, in contrast, is permanent.
What to Expect After a Nose Job
What you should expect from rhinoplasty recovery depends on the type of procedure you had.
Rhinoplasty recovery
- After surgery, your nose may be supported with a splint, gauze packing, and bandages to protect your nose while you heal.
- You will likely have some bloody discharge from your nose for a few days.
- The packing, if used at all, is usually removed several days after surgery, followed by the splints which are removed after seven to ten days.
- Stitches are removed after seven days.
- After two weeks your swelling should improve significantly, and even more in the following six weeks.
- You can return to your usual activities six weeks after surgery.
- It could take around a year to see the final result due to very subtle swelling, though the greatest result will be seen shortly after surgery.
Non-surgical nose job recovery
- You may experience some pain, redness, and swelling where the filler was injected.
- Symptoms should subside within an hour or two and you'll begin to see your results.
- Unless your doctor advises otherwise, most patients can return to their regular activities the next day.
Nose job recovery tips
Here are some things you can do to help you during your recovery:
- Follow your doctor's recovery care instructions.
- Take medications as prescribed.
- Keep your head elevated and avoid strenuous activities to keep swelling down.
- Use an ice pack to relieve swelling if your doctor says it's fine to do so. Put the ice packs or frozen peas on your cheeks, not directly on your nose.
- Eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water to help maintain optimal health while you heal.
Does Insurance Cover Nose Job Costs?
Unfortunately, rhinoplasty isn't typically covered by health insurance unless it's correcting an issue caused by disease or injury that leads to significant medical problems, like difficulty breathing.4 In those cases, it's considered medically necessary and at least part of the cost will likely be covered, after factoring in your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.
Non-surgical nose jobs are typically considered cosmetic and thus aren't covered. This means that if you want to pay for your nose job, you will likely need to look into financing options, such as the CareCredit credit card.*
Nose jobs are typically safe, but as with any surgical procedure, there are some risks. Having your nose job performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon can significantly minimize the risks and help you achieve the results you're after. Although a good surgeon might cost more, financing options like CareCredit can help make your nose job a reality.*
Financing Rhinoplasty and Non-Surgical Nose Jobs With the CareCredit Credit Card
Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for rhinoplasty and non-surgical nose jobs and related expenses not covered by health insurance.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos.
Our Expert Reviewer
Dr. Joe Gryskiewicz is a plastic surgeon who has been serving the Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota areas for over 35 years. Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, he has expertise performing a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, as well as non-surgical treatments designed to rejuvenate and enhance your natural features without the recovery time associated with major surgery. Dr. Joe specializes in Quick Recovery Breast Augmentation and is adept in a number of other procedures, including rhinoplasty, gynecomastia, labiaplasty, abdominoplasty, liposuction, and much more.