Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty: A RealSelf Social Media Analysis

Abstract

Patients use social media to report on medical care and rate their satisfaction with cosmetic procedures and providers. Currently, there are few studies that examine the satisfaction of nonsurgical rhinoplasty. This study aims to identify variables of patients’ choice and satisfaction of the nonsurgical rhinoplasty procedure through social media reviews. Data were extracted from 420 nonsurgical rhinoplasty reviews from RealSelf.com from March 2017 to April 2020. Recorded variables include patient demographics, price, nasal deficiency, patient-described improvement after injection, and physician characteristics influencing patients’ decision making. Of the data extracted from the reviews, 85% of reviewers were women, with a mean age of 27.4 years (SD, ±8.7 years). Eighty-four percent of reviewers had the procedure performed in the United States (84%). The mean cost was $1074 (SD, ±$733.20; median, $850). The most common patients’ deficiencies for this procedure include a “nasal hump” for 31.2% of reviewers and a “bump or dent” in the nose for 35.1% of reviewers. The procedure outcomes commonly noted were a positive change in “shape” of their nose (66.0%), improved confidence (44.4%), and improvement in profile (34.0%). The predominant reasons reviewers chose their injector were (1) favorable injector demeanor (63%) and (2) ability of the injector to provide emotional reassurance (49%). In all, 95.6% considered nonsurgical rhinoplasty “worth it.” Ninety-five percent of online reviewers stated that nonsurgical rhinoplasty was “worth it,” with an average cost of $1074, minimal post-procedure recovery time, and minimal pain. The most common nasal deficiency includes a bump, a hump, and a crooked shape. The most commonly stated improvement was in the shape of the nose. This demonstrates the utility of nonsurgical rhinoplasty for correction of a wide variety of nasal deficiencies. In the analysis of provider characteristics, the most important aspect was the provider’s demeanor. Patients used words like “warm,” “welcoming,” and “understanding of their desires.” They described feeling “comfortable” with the provider. The most important factor for selecting a provider was the emotional connection between the provider and the patient. Satisfaction of nonsurgical rhinoplasty is high, which corroborates reported satisfaction rates in the literature. Nonsurgical rhinoplasty exhibits significant versatility in the defects it can improve. Many patients chose their provider for their personality and emotional connection formed.