What Age Is Right for Rhinoplasty?

October 25, 2017

Allowing a teenager to get a rhinoplasty can be a subject that is up for much debate. Some parents, doctors and guidance counselors feel that rhinoplasties done during the teenage years are nothing more than vanity procedures that may be regretted down the road. However, the wise parent or surgeon realizes all that a rhinoplasty can mean to a teenage boy or girl who is dissatisfied with the shape, size or contours of the nose. Here are the basics on what age is right for a rhinoplasty and what contingents need to be examined before deciding that a rhinoplasty is the right choice.

Dr. Tavoussi Explains How Rhinoplasty Can Impact Teenagers

A rhinoplasty, or nose job, should only be performed on a teenager once the nose has fully formed. Before a certain age, the bones are still developing. A rhinoplasty performed during this time may experience setbacks as the individual’s face continues to change. The nose is considered to be fully formed around the mid-teenage years. Most surgeons will not perform a rhinoplasty on a girl before the age of 14 at minimum and on a boy before the age of 15 at minimum. This is because a boy’s face develops at a slower rate than a girl’s face does.

However, other surgeons do not like to perform rhinoplasties on individuals before the age of 18. This is because the right age should be based on more than physical age. Emotional age should also be considered as teenagers can respond dramatically to changes in their faces. They should realize the ramifications of the surgery and what recovery will be like. They also must realize that while the shape or size of the nose will be changed, this will not mean that their friends and other social situations will be immediately changed. While a teenage rhinoplasty can help the individual feel more comfortable in public and social situations, it may not be enough to stop bullying, attract a new boyfriend or help teenagers fit in with certain crowds in school.

A consultation with Dr. Tavoussi at the Orange County Cosmetic Surgery Clinique can help teenagers and their parents know if a rhinoplasty is the right choice at a certain age. Dr. Tavoussi will inspect the face and body to determine if the bones have reached skeletal maturity and will discuss aspects of the surgery to help individuals know what to expect.