Nose Fillers: Understanding and Addressing Migration Concerns

With the evolving nature of non-surgical facial aesthetics, the non-surgical rhinoplasty has rapidly risen to one of the most in-demand treatments.

While there are many advantages to augmenting your nose with filler, it’s important to understand the risks, one of which is migration.

What is filler migration?

Filler migration describes the movement of filler away from it’s intended placement. While uncommon when correctly performed, it’s important to be aware of the signs and what your options are.

Signs of nose filler migration

• Visible changes: The appearance of new bumps, lumps, or noticeable asymmetry in the treated area.
• Nose bridge widening: if the filler spreads to the sides your nose may look broad from the front. This is more likely when you are correcting a large dorsal hump, or have too much filler too frequently.

Risk factors for nose filler migration

While individual susceptibility varies, certain factors can elevate the risk of migration:

• Post-treatment pressure: Frequently touching your nose disrupts the filler’s settling process and can move it.
• Sleeping position: Stomach sleeping exerts undue pressure on your nose, increasing the risk of migration.
• Wearing glasses: Constant pressure from glasses can move recently injected fillers. Try and reposition your glasses so they don’t rest on the treated areas. Or wear a pair that has nose pads (the little pads that rest on the sides of your nose).
• Filler selection: Using the wrong type of filler increases migration risk. Avoid cheap clinics that often use inferior products.
• Injector expertise: Always choose a doctor with extensive experience in nose filler to reduce migration risk. Improper injection techniques increase the likelihood that your nose filler will migrate.

Reversal and prevention of nose filler migration

While nose filler migration is not ideal, it is not physically harmful and can be treated (so long as you’ve had reversible fillers). A qualified doctor can dissolve migrated nose fillers using hyaluronidase injections.

Preventing migration is always the best course of action. Here’s how to reduce the risk:

• Meticulous adherence to aftercare instructions: Following your doctor’s post-treatment guidelines diligently is crucial.
• Optimal sleeping position: Sleeping on your back avoids any pressure on your nose.
• Gentle handling: Be very gentle when touching your nose for at least 7 days and careful wearing heavy glasses that rest across treated areas.
• Choose a leading expert: Invest in your safety and result by choosing a certified cosmetic doctor with extensive experience in nose filler procedures.