As device to straighten 'flat' nose gains popularity, a specialist warns of risks

Nasal pegs, which push out the nostrils to create a wider nose, have become the new secret weapon for Chinese women in search of the perfect face.

But a medical expert at a top Beijing hospital warns that the trend comes with serious health risks.

The pegs - which are thin strips of silicone bent into a "U" shape and placed in the nasal cavity - have become big sellers on Taobao, the online marketplace, where they are advertised as a "miracle" solution for women looking for nonsurgical beauty enhancements.