Interested to see whether a non-surgical rhinoplasty (NSR) could make a difference to her facial symmetry, L360 editor Anna Evdokimou tried the treatment. Here’s everything you need to know about the risks, costs and results of a liquid nose job.
If I’m being honest, I’ve always wanted a nose job.
It’s an embarrassing thing to admit, especially as someone who spends a lot of time reading and writing about self-love and body positivity, but it’s true. I’ve got my dad’s nose, and I’ve spent much of my teenage and adult life in quiet resentment (at my nose, not my father).
It’s not so much the bridge that I have a problem with — that’s always been relatively straight — it’s more so the tip, which I feel leans slightly too much to the left and throws off my facial harmony. It also feels too big, like a bulbous addition right at the end that should be smaller, and more in-line with the rest of my nose.
The offending body part doesn’t so much bother me in day-to-day life, but the grievance comes when I find myself frowning at photos — especially those where I’m not staring at the camera face-on.
Even as I’m writing this, I’m cringing at the sheer vanity of it all. Having distinctive features is part of what makes us unique, and I’ve always been one to discourage aesthetic surgery — it also costs a fortune, and you could put that money to much better use.
I’ve spent years voicing my despair at my nose to close friends and family, who tended to respond by looking at me as though I’ve gone crazy. It took a few tireless conversations, but they finally banged some sense into my head, and I settled on the decision that a nose job will never be in my future.
But then, low and behold, the world of injectables came into play and I hate to admit it, but I was intrigued.
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When I initially heard about non-surgical rhinoplasty (NSR), I felt like I’d won the lottery. A non-permanent injection that could fix my concerns and is both affordable and fast? Sign me up.
But there’s a lot that people don’t know about NSRs, and there’s also a lot of misinformation out there about the treatment — which I discovered first-hand.
Here’s everything I wish I knew beforehand, photos of my before and after results, as well as the answers to some of your NSR questions from my expert practitioner — aesthetic clinician and founder of Mediject Clinic, Dr Sheila Li.
What is an NSR?
A non-surgical rhinoplasty — otherwise known as an NSR or liquid rhinoplasty — is an aesthetic procedure that can change the shape and alignment of your nose using derma fillers. The changes last around six to 12 months, and the filler can temporarily modify certain characteristics — like smooth down a bump, for example. It’s important here to note that an NSR is very different to a traditional nose job and can’t make your nose smaller or completely change its shape.
What it can do, however, is temporarily camouflage a lump or bump on the bridge or straighten the alignment of the nose.
My NSR consultation
When I first went into Dr Sheila’s Mediject Clinic on Harley Street, she asked me to explain exactly what issues I had with my nose. After listening intently to me drone on and on, she proceeded to analyse my face herself and then reassured me that she understood what my concerns were but admitted that what I wanted to achieve couldn’t be done via derma fillers.
“Non-surgical rhinoplasty isn’t about creating a new nose,” she explained. “It’s about refining the one you already have.”
“A common mistake is expecting a surgical outcome from a non-surgical approach. Fillers can refine, lift and create beautiful balance, but they work within your natural framework — they enhance, they don’t replace.”
I was slightly disheartened, but then she added that — rather than minimise my tip — she could straighten the alignment of my bridge, which would in turn give the nose a more balanced appearance.
“Even the most subtle changes to the nose can shift how the whole face feels. Often, patients come in saying they ‘can’t quite put their finger on it’ and more often than not, it’s not about one dominant feature, but how the nose interacts with the rest of the face.”
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Non-surgical rhinoplasty: before and after
Dr Sheila took me through the risks of a NSR, which involve swelling, bruising and in very rare cases, vascular complications or vision loss if filler enters a blood vessel (this is only a risk if the treatment is being performed by an under-qualified practitioner).
My nose was swollen for the first week, so it was difficult to notice the difference until around 10 days after my appointment. And the difference isn’t exceptionally visible — in fact, my family didn’t even notice.
But Dr Sheila had used her precise skills to soften the symmetry of my nose by applying a small amount of derma filler on the bridge and a small amount of Botox to the tip.
You can see in the ‘before’ photo that my bridge has a slight bump to it. In the ‘after’ photo, which was taken at my follow up appointment, the bump has been smoothed down, and my tip has been lifted. Despite the subtlety of the changes, I was chuffed.
Dr Sheila had warned me that the results would be minimal — and they were — but for someone who has spent a lot of time staring at their nose, it made a world of difference.
Would I get an NSR again?
Not for another 12 months, that’s for sure. Dr Sheila specifically said that she doesn’t allow patients to get top-ups more often than that, because it’s imperative to let the filler naturally dissolve before applying more.
“Many patients request top-ups too frequently, chasing perfection or worrying the result has faded when in reality, the filler is still integrating,” she explained.
“I always advise spacing treatments out, usually well beyond 12 months to avoid overcorrection or expansion of product over time. Most HA fillers attract water and if re-treated too often, the result can start to look swollen rather than refined. Longevity isn’t just about product choice, it’s also about patience, restraint and knowing when to leave things be.”
The truth is that I can’t answer this question until I wait 12 months and see how I feel about it. Either way, I’m happy with the results now, and I don’t feel the need to make any other changes.
How much does an NSR cost?
At Mediject Clinic, prices for a non-surgical rhinoplasty start from £650. You can likely find the treatment cheaper in other London clinics, but Dr Sheila designs a bespoke and premium plan that involves a comprehensive consultation and assessment, so that you can make sure you’re making the right decision.
What is a common mistake that people make with non-surgical rhinoplasty?
“One of the biggest mistakes I see is underestimating how complex this treatment really is,” Dr Sheila explained.
“The nose is one of the highest-risk areas for injectables, with very little margin for error. Just because filler is widely available doesn’t mean it’s simple or low risk. This is a treatment that demands advanced anatomical knowledge and precise technique.”
In a world where fillers are becoming increasingly accessible, what advice would you offer to women who are becoming self-conscious about their natural appearance?
“In a world where tweakments are everywhere and filters blur the line between real and altered, I always remind my patients that aesthetic medicine should be about respecting, not erasing. Just because treatments are more accessible, it doesn’t mean they’re always necessary.”
Across the board, while I was happy with my results, I feel that these treatments should always be carefully considered. And just because they’re temporary, it doesn’t mean they should be taken lightly. Most of the time, what we want to change about our faces is entirely unnecessary and is a result of overanalysing the small details that no one else would notice.
It’s also imperative to always go to someone experienced and respected when considering these treatments, as the cheaper price tag is never worth the risk.
Feature image: Pexels
