Rhinoplasty by Injection? A Guide to MISCO Injection Therapy

Many people want to refine the shape of their nose but hesitate because surgery involves incisions and downtime. In such cases, non-surgical injection correction is worth considering first. Kim Jongseo Plastic Surgery (Apgujeong, Seoul) has been performing simple injection-based nose correction, without surgery, since 2000.

This article covers how nose injection therapy (nose filler) works, its limitations, and MISCO, a treatment that combines filler injection with thread insertion in a single session.

What Is Nose Injection Therapy?

Nose injection therapy is a non-surgical procedure that uses Restylane (hyaluronic acid) or Radiesse to raise the nasal bridge by about 2mm and refine the shape of the nose. The procedure itself takes only about 5 minutes, and the tip of the nose is corrected either by combining Botox to weaken the muscle that pulls the nose downward, or by injecting directly into the tip.

Pain and swelling are generally minimal, so many patients return to daily activities without setting aside dedicated recovery time. It's known for cases such as office workers getting the procedure during their lunch break, or brides-to-be having it done before outdoor wedding photos — sometimes called "wedding-prep" treatment. That said, the course of recovery and satisfaction vary by individual.

How Much Can the Nasal Bridge Be Raised?

With injection therapy, raising the bridge by about 2mm is typical, and raising it by 3mm or more is difficult. This method suits those who want a subtle, natural change rather than a dramatic one; if you're looking for a bigger change, it's worth discussing surgical options instead.

How Long Do Results Last?

Since the injected filler is gradually absorbed over time, the nose's height typically decreases again after about 6 months to a year. At that point, you can choose to be re-injected, switch to a surgical option, or simply leave it as is. Cross-linked hyaluronic acid fillers are generally described as lasting 6 months or more, though the exact duration also varies by individual.

What Is MISCO?

MISCO is short for "Minimal Invasive Cosmetic Nose Surgery," meaning a simple, minimally invasive way to reshape the nose. A thread is loaded into the syringe so that filler and thread are placed simultaneously during injection. At Kim Jongseo Plastic Surgery, we use MISCO for the nasal tip and filler for the bridge.

Correcting nose shape by injection was a technique first widely practiced in Japan. Dr. Kim Jongseo learned this nose injection technique during a training program at Takasu Clinic in Japan in 2000 and has been performing it ever since. You can find more about the director's background on our About the Director page.

Who Might Consider This?

If you're apprehensive about surgery, trying injection therapy first is one option. Experiencing the injection can help you think more concretely about how you'd like surgery to go, and can make the surgical consultation itself easier. In cases where skin is limited, filler is sometimes injected one to two months before surgery specifically to help stretch the skin.

Cases of correcting a hump nose (dorsal hump) with injections have also been reported, but whether injection therapy is suitable depends on the condition of your nose, so it's best to decide through a consultation with a specialist. If you're unsure which approach fits you, please reach out through Book a consultation.

Consultation Information

Kim Jongseo Plastic Surgery (Apgujeong, Seoul) · 2F Apgujeong Building, 842 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul · 02-3416-0070 (after hours 070-4027-0070) · Book a consultation

This article is provided for informational purposes only. Surgical and treatment results and recovery time may vary by individual. All medical procedures carry potential side effects, so please consult thoroughly with a specialist.

Treatment Reference Materials

Below are treatment information materials from our previous website (surgery.co.kr). Before-and-after results may vary by individual, and all medical procedures carry the possibility of side effects.