If you follow Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams on Instagram, then you know she just got something called a non-surgical nose job. This immediately got us thinking: A) Who videos their own procedure? (Because, you know, she did. Ouch!) And B) Uh, is this alternative to rhinoplasty as rainbows-and-unicorns as it sounds?
Just to get you up to speed, a non-surgical nose job is an outpatient procedure that involves a series of filler injections. Porsha's cosmetic dermatologist explained to People that it's not meant to "craft" the perfect nose, but simply to shape what you already have.
The Stir asked Richard Swift, MD, FACS, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York, to, um, fill us in.
Who's a good candidate for a non-surgical nose job?
"A non-surgical rhinoplasty is typically performed on patients with non-severe nasal deformities, minor irregularities, or if they have had a previous rhinoplasty for a touch-up," explains Dr. Swift.
How long does the procedure take?
Super-fast, apparently. Dr. Swift tells The Stir that the average procedure is done within 45 minutes, including time to numb the area with topical cream applied by the doctor.
Does it hurt like the dickens?
It's not like childbirth, if that's what you're thinking.
"It's not considered a particularly painful procedure because the patient is numb while the doctor is injecting," explains Dr. Swift. "And for added comfort, most products contain lidocaine, which is a local numbing agent."
Afterward, you may experience some minor bruising and swelling around the injection area. But "in most instances," assures Dr. Swift, "the swelling goes away within 24–48 hours post-injection."
Will the effects last forever?
Unfortunately, not that long. But "depending on the type of filler used, it can last six months to a year," says Dr. Swift.
Well, if it doesn't last forever, then how is it better than going "under the knife"?
It's less invasive, obviously, and less extensive, and because of that, less expensive. And not only is it less painful and with a shorter recovery time, says Dr. Swift, but "you get to see what the end result of a rhinoplasty would look like before actually having one." If you like the results, then you can go permanent.
More from The Stir: 5 Celebrities Who Shouldn't Have Gotten Nose Jobs (PHOTOS)
Is there anyone who really shouldn't get this done?
The best candidates are really those with only minor issues or who've already had a nose job and just need a teeny-tiny touch-up, says Dr. Swift. If you've got a deviated septum, say, or breathing problems, you'd be better off with a traditional rhinoplasty.
Still trying to make up your mind if this is for you?
Take a look at some of the stunning results that have recently popped up on Instagram and see if they change your mind:
Image via indiaflorencexx/Instagram
