1. Floating Silicone—Silicone That Shifts or Wiggles
Floating nose silicone can shift at the nasal root and tip. The degree of movement varies by case. If the silicone visibly protrudes as a raised ridge, it may cause the nose to appear crooked, slanted, or thin at the tip. These are common issues that lead many patients to seek revision rhinoplasty.
2. Causes of Floating Silicone
Floating or shifting silicone occurs when the implant is placed incorrectly. The correct placement is beneath the periosteum (bone membrane), which helps lock the silicone in place and ensures it sits flush with the nasal base. At BLS Surgery Center, each case is custom-carved and designed to suit the patient’s nasal structure, minimizing future risks of crookedness, slanting, or thinning.
3. How to Detect Floating Silicone
After rhinoplasty, avoid touching, twisting, or shifting the implant. The nose typically settles and adheres to the nasal framework within 3–6 months. After that, you can test for floating silicone.
To test: gently press the middle-to-tip area of the nose and wiggle it side to side. If the silicone moves or shifts with your finger, it indicates floating silicone. This may lead to other complications such as crooked nose, extrusion, or thinning.
4. Is Floating Silicone Dangerous?
If the silicone shifts but there’s no tightness, thinning, or visible distortion, immediate correction may not be necessary. However, if the implant floats significantly and alters the nose shape, revision is recommended—removing the old implant and replacing it to restore confidence and prevent future complications.
5. What Causes Floating Silicone?
5.1 Patient-Related Causes
Floating silicone may result from trauma or frequent nose twisting. During the first year post-op, avoid twisting or impact to prevent inflammation and implant displacement.
5.2 Surgical Causes
- Silicone carving does not match the nasal framework
- Implant not placed over the nasal ridge or beneath the periosteum
- Implant pocket is too wide or narrow, allowing the silicone to shift
5.3 Infection in Nasal Tissue
Infection can cause pus formation inside the nose. In such cases, the implant must be removed, the area disinfected, and antibiotics administered before re-augmentation.
6. How to Correct Floating Silicone
Correction depends on the cause:
- Incorrect placement: Remove the old implant and reinsert it beneath the periosteum or create a new pocket under the bone membrane for better stability
- High nasal hump: May require hump reduction surgery such as base shaving or dorsal support to accommodate the implant
- Thin nasal tissue: May require autologous tissue or cartilage instead of silicone
Multiple failed silicone revisions: Consider switching to open structural rhinoplasty to resolve persistent issues
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