In January 2007, the FDA changed the face of non-invasive aesthetics (and the faces of patients who choose it) forever by approving the first permanent injectable filler - Artefill. Studies have shown that Artefill lasts at least 10 years, so patients who choose non-invasive procedures using this filler will look forward to long-term or even permanent results. Previously, non-surgical procedures were performed mostly using Radiesse - a filler that lasts about 10 months.
One non-invasive procedure that has gained nation-wide popularity is Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty, or the "15-Minute Nose Job." Developed four years ago by Alexander Rivkin, M.D. in Los Angeles, it is the top alternative to the surgical rhinoplasty procedure that is so graphically reenacted these days on television shows such as "Nip/Tuck," “Dr. 90210” and "The Real Housewives of Orange County."
Dr. Rivkin has performed over 500 Non-Surgical Nose Job procedures and has been featured throughout the national and international media on shows such as the TODAY show and the Tyra show for this and other non-surgical aesthetic innovations.
When performed by an experienced aesthetic specialist, the Non Surgical Rhinoplasty procedure can effectively:
Camouflage bumps on the bridge of the nose
Lift drooping nasal tips for a straight profile
Raise the height of and better define the nasal bridge for
people with a broad or low bridge
Correct natural or post surgical asymmetry of the tip or bridge
The 15-Minute Nose Job procedure cannot replace surgical rhinoplasty in all instances. When it is an appropriate alternative to surgical rhinoplasty, however, the advantages are many. Pain, downtime, bruising, risk and, of course, cost, are dramatically reduced with this office injection procedure.
Surgery is needed to reduce the size of the nose or change the position of the nostrils, but by using Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty to make the nose straight, smooth and even, doctors like Rivkin make the nose appear smaller as it blends into the rest of the face.
"When a nose is asymmetric or irregular it stands out and looks bigger because it attracts the attention of the eye. When it is straight and symmetric, it blends into the rest of your face and becomes smaller (in appearance)," says Rivkin.
"This is very exciting! With Artefill, the cosmetic result of the Non Surgical Nose Job will now persist just as long as the result of surgical rhinoplasty!” says Rivkin.
