Nose Tip Elongation and Elevation: A Novel Filler Injection Technique.

[BACKGROUND] Filler injection for nose tip improvement remains a difficult treatment due to efficacy and safety issues.

[OBJECTIVES] The authors sought to better the techniques and safety for nose tip improvement with a filler.

[METHODS] Patients seeking nose tip improvement were recruited regardless of their pretreatment conditions. A hyaluronic acid filler was injected through the skin behind the nose tip into the potential septal space. To achieve tip elevation, the filler was retro-injected from the anterior nasal spine, stopping at the mid-level of medial crura. To elongate the nose, the filler was deposited just in front of the caudal septal cartilage. The tip extended in the sagittal plane, causing the nose tip to move either caudally (tip elongation) or anteriorly (tip elevation), or both, as directed by the surgeon.

[RESULTS] Depending on the patients, the nose could be elongated by 2 to 6 mm, and the tip could be elevated by 2 to 8 mm. Additionally, stronger columellar support, finer tip structures, and improved nasolabial angle were observed. Interestingly, the upper lip appeared shorter. The nostril shapes and the alar widths were also improved. A total of 1288 cases are reported. Only 2 patients expressed dissatisfaction.

[CONCLUSIONS] This technique is easy and safe to perform, and the results are natural and comparable with those from rhinoplasty surgeries. Further, this report of filler nose lengthening may be the first large series in the world. Finally, this technique works well in all populations.