Introduction
Nose augmentation is one of the most commonly done procedures today as people chase towards achieving that ‘perfect’ nose which is commonly described as sharp, with a high nose bridge and a well-defined tip. In addition, the nose sits right in the centre of our faces and is one of the most prominent facial features, further driving people to turn towards nose augmentation to achieve their own ideal. Nose augmentation can be done surgically or non-surgically with the latter increasing in popularity due to its convenience and shorter recovery time. Furthermore, non-surgical nose augmentation can be both a complement and alternative to rhinoplasty. Two popular non-surgical options are nose threads and nose fillers which tend to spark confusion among people as both serve a similar purpose of defining the nose. Therefore, this article aims to clear up any confusion and will compare both procedures to help you decide on which is better suited for you. Before comparing key differences between both options, it is important to first have a good understanding of both procedures.
Introduction to nose fillers and how they work
Nose fillers most commonly involve the injection of hyaluronic acid to project and heighten the nose.
What is hyaluronic acid? Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the skin which helps to maintain hydration. It has the amazing ability to bind and retain water, greatly increasing the amount of moisture within the skin. Therefore, hyaluronic acid is not limited to its use in nose fillers but is also used in skin boosters to rejuvenate and revitalize the skin. As hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the skin, it has a low risk of triggering an immune response in the body, making it a safe and compatible substance to be used in nose fillers. Furthermore, the hyaluronic acid gel used in nose fillers is malleable, durable and provides the structural support needed to heighten the nose. However, it is important to note that the effect of a nose filler is not permanent as the hyaluronic acid gel will get absorbed by the body over time. The effect of nose fillers is said to last for about 9 to 12 months but there is individual variation in the rate of gel degradation.
Introduction to nose threads and how they work
This procedure involves the insertion of polydioxanone (PDO) threads into the nose to lift and define the nose, giving it more height and projection. PDO threads are safe and compatible to be used in the skin and will eventually dissolve. As the threads dissolve, they stimulate the growth of fibroblasts and the production of collagen which helps to further define the nose. As with nose fillers, they are not permanent and lasts for about 1-2 years with some individual variation. However, repeating the treatment before the effect wears off can significantly prolong the duration of effect of the nose threads.
General benefits of nose fillers and nose threads
The general benefits of nose fillers and nose threads are very similar. Both are:
– Convenient, quick and non-invasive without the need for general anesthesia
– Minimal downtime
– Mild redness, swelling and occasionally bruising can be expected at the site of the procedure but these minor side effects should subside within a few days. Therefore, compared to a surgical procedure such as rhinoplasty which has more complications and a longer recovery time, nose fillers or threads can reshape the nose with a much shorter recovery period.
Nose fillers also have an additional benefit of being reversible. If the patient is not satisfied with the results of the nose filler, a hyaluronidase enzyme can be used to immediately dissolve the fillers within a few hours. Therefore, less commitment is involved.
Disadvantages and side effects of nose fillers
– Not permanent and hence retreatment is required to maintain nose augmentation
– Nose fillers can spread sideways, making the nose look broader
– Slight redness, swelling and bruising
– Adverse effects such as infection, skin necrosis and visual impairment can occur due to accidental injection of the filler into the arteries
Disadvantages and side effects of nose threads
– Not permanent and hence retreatment is required to maintain nose augmentation
– Slight redness, swelling, bruising
– If the threads are not inserted properly:
– Nose bridge can look deviated
– Infection and nodule formation
Comparison of nose fillers vs nose threads
After gaining a better understanding of the two procedures, it is important to compare key differences between the two procedures for patients to decide which procedure is more suitable for them. In terms of the duration of effect, both nose fillers and nose threads are not permanent, but nose threads last for a longer time. Therefore, patients who desire a longer duration of effect may prefer nose threads over nose fillers.
Moving on to the side effects, nose threads tend to be associated with more post-procedural swelling as compared to nose fillers. Furthermore, the threads need to be inserted properly to keep the nose bridge straight and to prevent infection or nodule formation. Nose fillers also need to be injected in the hands of a certified doctor to prevent rare but adverse complications of infection, skin necrosis and visual impairment. However, be rest assured that the side effects of both nose fillers and nose threads are generally minimal especially if done by a certified and experienced doctor.
With regards to its effect on nose augmentation, both nose fillers and nose threads play a part in heightening the nose bridge, increasing nose projection and lifting the nose tip. However, certain aspects of nose augmentation can be better achieved with nose fillers while certain effects can be better achieved with nose threads. Therefore, the choice of using nose fillers or nose threads largely depends on the patient’s current nose type as well as the preferences of the patient.
Firstly, patients who want to achieve a sharper nose tip would benefit more from nose threads instead of nose fillers. This is because nose fillers are not able to lift the nose tip as effectively as nose threads. Nose fillers, being a gel, have lesser lifting power for the nose tip as compared to the more rigid nose threads which have small anchor points along the threads to the lift the nose tip. This helps the nose tip to appear sharper and smaller.
Secondly, for patients who desire a higher nose bridge, nose fillers may be a better option. Nose fillers are extremely effective in raising the nose bridge as it is able to provide the volume needed to increase the nose bridge height. Furthermore, this is more cost effective than nose threads as many threads will be required to sufficiently increase the nose bridge height in patients with low nose bridges.
Thirdly, nose threads are able to sharpen and define the nose more effectively than nose fillers. It is important to note that nose fillers can shift and spread sideways over time, causing the nose to look broader while nose threads do not shift and broaden over time. Lastly, for patients who want to correct any unevenness or bumps on their noses, both nose fillers or threads can be used. Depending on individual nose type and preferences, a combination of both nose threads and nose fillers can also be used to augment the nose. Therefore, there are many options available and it is important to discuss with your doctor to find the one that is best suited for you.
In conclusion, both nose fillers and nose threads are effective in non-surgically augmenting the nose but the final decision depends on the patient’s current nose type and preferences. Each procedure has its own pros and cons with different effectiveness on different aspects of nose augmentation. Therefore, some patients may benefit more from nose threads while others may benefit more from nose fillers. It is important to consult your doctor and discuss on the different treatment options in order to choose the one that is best suited you.
