Luna Nose Injection (Non-Incision Autologous Cartilage Rhinoplasty)

Lunako is a closed rhinoplasty: through a small incision in the mucosa inside the nose, your own cartilage is finely minced, mixed with your own blood, and used to fill the nasal bridge and tip. No implants are used, only your own tissue, and according to the event details the procedure takes about 30 minutes. The goal is to be as easy to shape as filler while lasting once the absorption process is complete.

Who it's for

• Anyone who wants a simple nose job using their own cartilage
• Anyone considering rhinoplasty but worried about filler or silicone implants
• Anyone concerned about visible incision scars
• Anyone who wants a quick recovery and a fast return to daily life
• Anyone who wants to refine just the bridge while leaving the tip as is, or lightly refine both the bridge and tip

How it's done

1. Consultation and choosing the approachYour skin condition and how much change you want are assessed. A closed approach is preferred, but depending on your skin and the shape you want, an open approach may be the better fit, so this is decided during the consultation.
2. Cartilage harvestingYour own cartilage is harvested from the ear, the septum, or the rib, depending on your nose. The choice is based on the volume and support needed, any previous surgery, and how much cartilage can be harvested. The doctor explains that harvesting from one site, either the septum or the ear, usually takes about 15 minutes.
3. Preparing the cartilage particlesThe harvested cartilage is finely minced into particles, and blood is drawn and mixed in to create a viscous, implant-free material. The particles are sized between coarse and ultra-fine to reduce how much is absorbed, and their particle form makes them easy to shape.
4. InjectionThrough a small incision in the mucosa inside the nose, the cartilage particles are placed to fill the bridge or tip while preserving, rather than cutting, the blood vessel that runs to the columella (the columellar artery). The incision is about 1 cm for the bridge only, and under 3 cm when the tip is also treated more extensively.
5. Dressing and tapingThe procedure finishes with a dressing and taping of the nose. The clinic notes that it does not use splints or nasal packing. According to the doctor's video, the entire process, including cartilage harvesting, particle preparation, and dressing, takes around 40–45 minutes.

What's included

• 1 Lunako injection session
• Anesthesia fee
• Post-procedure care fee

Prices include VAT and apply during the clinic's event period. Any costs beyond the items listed above will be explained during your consultation.

From procedure day to recovery

1. Procedure dayLocal anesthesia, IV sedation, and general anesthesia are all available, and the safest option is chosen in consultation with the in-house anesthesiologist. If you want a faster recovery, you can also opt for local anesthesia.
2. 1 weekThe taping stays on for about a week.
3. 7–10 daysThe doctor explains that, unless bruising and swelling are severe, most of it subsides considerably around this time.
4. 6 weeksUntil 6 weeks, avoid laughing hard or any movement that puts pressure on your nose, and wait until after 6 weeks to wear glasses. The first exercise you can return to is swimming, from 6 weeks.
5. 2 monthsStrenuous exercise like weight training should wait until after 2 months. If ear cartilage was used, sports that risk impact to the ear, such as martial arts, are also recommended only after 2 months.
6. 6–7 monthsOnce the cartilage absorption process is complete, the result becomes largely fixed. For this reason, you decide in advance whether to go slightly higher to allow for absorption or keep things natural.

Aftercare

• The anesthesia fee and post-procedure care fee are included in the event price.
• Aftercare is provided to monitor your recovery and prevent issues such as inflammation.
• It's recommended that you discuss which activities are OK after the procedure with your specialist in advance.
• The doctor explains that if the cartilage is absorbed unevenly, it can be touched up again with Lunako.

Doctors and clinic

Lead doctor Go Gukjin, a board-certified otolaryngologist (ENT), personally explains Lunako and treats patients. An anesthesiologist is on staff, the specialist who consults with you performs the surgery personally, and the operating room has CCTV. The clinic is in Seocho-gu, within walking distance of Gangnam Station Exit 10 and Sinnonhyeon Station Exit 7. If you need an interpreter, please ask about available languages when booking.

Side effects and precautions

• Bleeding, infection, or inflammation may occur after surgery, so be sure to follow the clinic's instructions.
• Bruising and swelling occur after the procedure, and how long it takes for the shape to settle will be explained during your consultation.
• The cartilage goes through an absorption process over 6–7 months, so the height is decided with this change in mind.
• Some of the cartilage may be absorbed unevenly; in that case, it is touched up again with Lunako.
• If ear cartilage was harvested, avoid sports that risk impact to the ear.
• If you want a major change to the tip, or your nose is small and short with skin that doesn't stretch easily, combining it with open rhinoplasty may be a better fit.

FAQ