If you’re interested in changing the appearance of your nose through medicine but are not thrilled about the prospect of taking your nose under the knife, you may be interested in the non-surgical procedure that many are turning to as an alternative to classic nose jobs.

Rather than breaking, cutting or otherwise altering the nose itself, this procedure utilizes an injection of a semi-permanent material that is typically used as a filler for tooth enamel. The material is then sort of “molded” from the outside of the nose with the fingertips to produce the shape desired. The procedure takes about 15 minutes and lasts about two years.

The material used in the procedure is similar to that found in our bones and teeth, helping to minimize the frequency and severity of reactions to the substance. It is reported that the procedure has been performed over 300,000 with no serious reactions or side effects.

This alternative seems to work best for those who have bumps or similar features in their nose that just need to be smoothed out to create a straight-lined profile. Dr. Rivkin of Los Angeles created the procedure and says that it works because it keeps the eye from noticing irregularities, which gives a greater perception of uniformity in the nose.

Of course, this doesn’t seem to be a good option for those who seek more drastic transformations, such as a smaller or thinner nose. Alternately, this procedure seems to give some extra size to the nose overall, which may be exactly what some people want to avoid.

Due to the popularity of the procedure, practitioners have begun using this method to change the shape of other parts of the face, such as chins, cheeks and eyes. The material helps to smooth out the skin as well as reshape the face, essentially combining two feats in one short procedure.

The cost is much easier to manage as well — about $1,000 — whereas traditional rhinoplasty can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $12,000. Of course, the procedure appears to be offered in a limited number of locations, which may add to your cost if you have to travel long distances.

Angela Bull

Photo Credit: Emdot