The number of rhinoplasties performed in the UK has dropped significantly over the past decade, from 4,878 in 2013 to just 1,330 last year, according to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS). However, this decline is not due to changing beauty standards but rather the rise of nonsurgical alternatives.
Nonsurgical rhinoplasty, which involves injecting fillers to straighten bumpy noses, has become increasingly popular due to its lower cost and convenience. While a surgical nose job can cost up to £7,000 and requires a two-night hospital stay plus up to two weeks off work, the nonsurgical version costs under £300, takes just 10 minutes, and allows patients to return to work the same day.
Rajan Uppal, a consultant plastic surgeon and BAAPS member, noted that rhinoplasty has the highest dissatisfaction rate of any cosmetic procedure. He told the Times: “I have seen many patients who regret the whole operation and want to go back to exactly their original nose.” Nonsurgical treatments reduce the risk of buyer's remorse, as the effects are temporary, lasting between six months and two years.
However, fillers cannot make a large nose smaller, so surgery remains necessary for that. Uppal also warned against extreme cosmetic procedures, such as “fantasy noses” that deviate dramatically from a person's natural features. He emphasised that patients should seek results that enhance their appearance without compromising their identity.
