What Is the Best Age to Get Rhinoplasty?
Getting a rhinoplasty (nose job) to enhance nasal aesthetics can work wonders for your appearance and your self-esteem. The surgery is great for correcting bumps on the bridge of the nose, issues with nostril size and shape, crookedness or asymmetry of the nose, and adjusting the angle of the nasal tip.
It’s no wonder that some people become interested in rhinoplasty surgery at an early age. That raises two common questions from patients and parents who contact my La Jolla plastic surgery center:
- When is the earliest a person can undergo rhinoplasty?
- Is there an optimal age to get a nose job?
I’d like to address each of these questions in some detail. If you need to speak with a plastic surgeon in San Diego, CA, please reach out to me today.
What’s the Youngest Age a Person Can Get a Nose Job?
That will depend on the patient, but usually, the youngest age for rhinoplasty is about 16-17 years old for girls and 17-18 years old for boys.
Growth of the Nose and Other Facial Features
A rhinoplasty should only be performed when a person’s nose has stopped growing. For many people, their nose stops growing anywhere between age 14 and age 18. Some patients may not be eligible for rhinoplasty if they still demonstrate changes related to puberty and natural maturation through their teenage years.
Since the nose complements other facial features such as the cheekbones and chin, it’s also worth waiting a little longer to ensure a young person’s other facial features are fully matured. Performing a rhinoplasty too early could lead to dissatisfaction with the results of surgery a few years later.
Candidacy for Teenage Rhinoplasty
If your nose has stopped growing and you’re ready for rhinoplasty, a plastic surgeon next needs to review your candidacy for a nose job. Good candidates for rhinoplasty are in good overall health, are non-smokers, have realistic expectations, and understand what problems rhinoplasty can and cannot treat.
Given the different rates at which people age, many cosmetic surgeons will err on the side of caution to ensure the best rhinoplasty results possible.
Rhinoplasty for Injured Teenage Athletes
If your child participates in contact sports or any other athletic activities, there is a risk of facial injuries such as a broken nose. During a consultation, we can discuss potential rhinoplasty to address broken noses and other kinds of nasal injuries in more detail.
Request a Screening to Determine if Your Teen Can Get Rhinoplasty
If your teenage child is interested in a nose job, I encourage you to set up a consultation for a rhinoplasty at my La Jolla cosmetic surgery center. I can determine if your child is suitable to undergo rhinoplasty and answer any questions you may have.
I’ve proudly served San Diego County for decades. I look forward to meeting with you and your teen.
Is There a “Best” Age for Rhinoplasty Surgery?
Technically there is no “best” age for any kind of plastic surgery, including rhinoplasty — there’s only an age that’s best for you.
People from different age groups undergo cosmetic nose surgeries and experience some great benefits to their self-image and mental health, which is why it's such a popular procedure. Let’s note how reshaping the nose can benefit people in different stages of their lives.
Rhinoplasty for Teens and Young Adults
Teens and young adults benefit a lot from nose job surgery. The rhinoplasty procedure can boost self-image and self-esteem, which can be a crucial confidence builder during this stage of life. As with all of the age groups we’ll discuss, one of the many benefits of rhinoplasty includes improved mental health, which can be particularly helpful at this time.
Rhinoplasty for Patients in Their Late Twenties and Early Thirties
As patients reach their thirties, rhinoplasty remains a great option. In fact, many people start to undergo cosmetic procedures around this time. A number of people in their late twenties and early thirties undergo a septoplasty to correct breathing problems from a deviated septum. The surgical procedure differs from rhinoplasty, but we can also discuss how we can make cosmetic revisions during that surgery.
Rhinoplasty for Middle-Aged Patients
As you enter your mid-thirties and forties, you may find that years of experience give you a greater perspective on who you are and how you look. For people who feel self-conscious about lines and wrinkles, a brow lift or blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) are common around this time. A rhinoplasty procedure can also help enhance facial features for people in this age group.
Rhinoplasty for Senior Citizens
You’re never too old to look your best. As you reach your later fifties into your golden years, you may feel less inclined to undergo rhinoplasty, instead looking to neck lift surgery and other procedures to reverse signs of aging. However, rhinoplasty procedures can still play a role late in life, removing bumps on the nasal bridge and correcting a nasal tip that droops.
Is Rhinoplasty Right for Me?
You may be wondering if rhinoplasty is the answer you’re looking for. Like the “best age for rhinoplasty” question, the answer depends on where you are in your life and what your cosmetic goals involve.
How My La Jolla Plastic Surgery Center Can Help
If you’ve been thinking about rhinoplasty for a while, it’s a good idea to meet with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. When you meet with me, I can address your concerns, review the pros and cons of rhinoplasty, and go over the cost of the surgery.
When you get a full perspective of the risks and benefits of rhinoplasty, you can finally determine if rhinoplasty is right for you.
Request a Rhinoplasty Consultation
Get the answers you’re looking for from a skilled and proven cosmetic surgeon who focuses on results and patient satisfaction. To learn about your surgical options, set up a rhinoplasty consultation in San Diego, CA. I look forward to seeing you and listening.
About Robert Singer, MD
Dr. Robert Singer is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has helped patients since 1976. A former president of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons, the San Diego Plastic Surgery Society, and the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation, Dr. Singer remains an internationally recognized authority in the field.
Read Dr. Singer's Full Bio | All Posts by Robert Singer
