If you’re considering a small change to the shape of your nose without surgery, you may be thinking about nose fillers.

Some people call this a non-surgical “nose job”, but it is not the same as surgical rhinoplasty. Nose fillers use injectable dermal filler to add volume in selected areas of the nose, and they do not remove or reshape bone or cartilage. You may want slightly more height at the bridge, a straighter-looking profile, or a change to the tip. What is possible depends on your nose shape and what you want to change.

Before treatment, you need to know who is allowed to perform the procedure, what fillers can and cannot do, what side effects can occur, and what the aftercare involves.

1. Check Who Is Allowed to Inject in Singapore

In Singapore, aesthetic injections are clinical procedures. They can only be provided at licensed clinics and performed by registered doctors. Beauty salons that provide aesthetic injections can be prosecuted for providing healthcare services without the required licence.

Check both the clinic and the injector before you proceed.

• Check that the clinic is licensed and that the injector is a registered doctor.
• Ask whether the filler is registered with the Health Sciences Authority as a medical device.
• Look for clear information about the procedure, possible risks, and what happens if a complication occurs.

2. Know What Happens During the Consultation

A consultation should come before any injection. This is when your doctor assesses your nose and whether nose fillers are suitable for the change you have in mind.

Clinics such as Mizu Aesthetic, an aesthetic clinic in Singapore, carry out this kind of assessment before any nose filler treatment is planned. Its founder and medical director, Dr Tan Ying Zhou, is a regional trainer for nose fillers, with a clinical interest in non-surgical nose augmentation.

Your doctor may look at your nose, facial proportions, and the areas you are concerned about. You should also be asked about your medical history, allergies, medications, and any conditions that could affect treatment. Reference photos may be taken to record your profile and help with treatment planning.

Tell the doctor exactly what you want to change. Wanting more bridge height is different from wanting a nose to look smaller, and the doctor needs to understand which concern you mean.

You can ask what type of filler will be used, how long the effect may last, what side effects may occur, and what you need to do afterwards. If a clinic offers to inject without a consultation, do not proceed.

3. Set Realistic Expectations for Your Nose Shape

Nose fillers work by adding volume. Depending on your nose shape and the treatment plan, they may be used to increase bridge height, fill around a hump to make the bridge look straighter, or lift a downward-pointing tip for some people.

Someone with a low nose bridge, for example, may be looking for a small increase in height. Nose augmentation with fillers can add volume to the bridge, but the amount of change varies by person.

Nose fillers also have clear limits:

• They add volume, so they cannot make a large nose smaller or narrower.
• They cannot fix breathing problems or a deviated septum, which require surgery.
• Results are temporary and typically last around 9 to 12 months, although this varies by person.

If a hyaluronic acid filler is used, it can be dissolved if needed.

4. Understand the Possible Side Effects

Numbing cream is often applied before the injection. Some discomfort during the procedure is still possible, and this varies by person. Temporary side effects can occur after nose fillers.

Common short-term reactions may include:

• Swelling around the treated area
• Bruising
• Tenderness or a feeling of pressure

Bruising and swelling, if present, typically go away after 4 to 7 days, although this varies by person.

A serious complication can occur if filler enters a blood vessel and blocks blood flow. The nose is close to blood vessels that supply the eye, which is why the warning signs below matter.

If you develop severe pain, an unusual change in skin colour, or any problem with your vision, contact your doctor immediately. These symptoms need prompt medical attention.

If you are unsure whether a reaction is expected, contact the doctor who performed the procedure and describe what you are experiencing.

5. Follow Your Aftercare Instructions

Aftercare instructions are part of the treatment plan, and the timings are important.

Common instructions include:

• Avoid strenuous exercise for at least 24 hours.
• Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours.
• Avoid facial massage for at least 2 weeks.
• Attend your review appointment so the doctor can assess the treated area once the swelling has gone down.

Before You Decide

Before deciding on nose fillers, check that the injector is a registered doctor working at a licensed clinic. Understand what fillers can and cannot change. Know the warning signs that need prompt medical attention, and follow the aftercare instructions you are given.

All medical procedures carry potential risks and limitations, which should be discussed during a consultation.