Perils of the “Filtered Nose Look”

In the hands of a qualified plastic surgeon, rhinoplasty can produce life-changing results. Colloquially known as a “nose job,” the surgery can address a number of aesthetic imperfections, such as bumps, enlarged nostrils, and asymmetry. In many cases, rhinoplasty can also correct functional issues (e.g. a deviated septum). The procedure has long been one of the top cosmetic surgeries performed throughout Australia.

As a renowned specialist plastic surgeon, Dr Vlad Milovic believes in the importance of paying attention to news and trends in the cosmetic world. This allows him to stay updated on new techniques and developments – including those that may be more harmful than effective. Specifically, Dr Milovic urges his patients to beware of the “filtered nose look,” also called the “Tinkerbell tip flp.”

Allegedly inspired by social media filters that make the nose appear smaller and more “upturned,” the “Tinkerbell tip flp” involves the injection of fillers into the tip of the nose. The procedure is often advertised as cheap and pain-free, and some providers may even claim that it produces results that are both instantaneous and permanent.

Many of these prescribers may not mention the myriad of serious risks that the “Tinkerbell tip flp” presents. While certain dermal fillers can be effective for small-scale enhancement of the nose, injection of a hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler into the nasal tip, which contains several blood vessels, can block arteries and disrupt proper blood flow. This paves the way for a variety of potential complications, including:

• Discoloration
• Infection
• Blistering
• Scabbing
• Skin disintegration
• Necrosis (death of skin cells)
• Blindness

Despite the risks of the “Tinkerbell tip flp,” a small number of practices around the world continue to offer the treatment, sometimes even referring to it as a non-surgical alternative to rhinoplasty. The idea of 10-minute rhinoplasty effects may sound appealing to some; the results of meticulous surgical reconstruction of the nose typically take around a year to fully show. However, provided the surgery was performed by an experienced surgeon, the majority of patients typically find that the results of their rhinoplasty are worth the wait.

If you are interested in rhinoplasty or any of the other procedures offered at our practice, do not hesitate to contact us today.