Rhinoplasty: Q&A

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What is the Ideal Age for a Rhinoplasty?

What would be the ideal age to get a Rhinoplasty? I'm 15 and really looking forward to getting a nose job done, and have many friends who got one and had good results. I'm not sure if I should have it done now.

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25 Doctor Answers | Asked by Clau in Bolivia

Doctor Answers (25)
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When nasal bones have fully developed

There is no ideal age for getting a rhinoplasty done. However, 16 years of age is probably the minimum age so as to make sure that the nose bones have finished growing prior to embarking on an elective cosmetic procedure. Nose surgery can be done at any age as long as the patient is in good physical health.

The earliest age that I would consider is 13 for female, 15 for male

The earliest age that I would consider rhinoplasty surgery for a female is 13 years old, and for a male is 15 years old. Nonetheless, ideally, I like to wait until it’s certain the bony and soft tissue structure of the face is fully matured. Consistent with this, the ideal age for rhinoplasty would be in the later teens.

The Ideal for Rhinoplasty Surgery Varies from Surgeon to Surgeon

Several variables should be considered when determining the appropriate age for rhinoplasty surgery. These variables tend to make each patient’s situation unique. As a general rule, it’s important for patients to reach both physical and emotional maturity before proceeding with surgery. Physical maturity is important for several reasons. Operating on the nose before growth has stabilized can have significant consequences. Under these circumstances, continued growth following... more

Earliest age for Rhinoplasty

You want to make sure you have stopped growing first. If you have surgery while you are still growing, it can affect the growth of the rest of your face. If you have not grown taller or bought a larger shoe size in more than a year or for girls, a year after you start menstruating, you are probably finished growing. Also, you want to make sure that your parents and family are supportive and able to help with post-operative care.

You must stop growing first.

Once you have stopped growing, you may have a rhinoplasty. For a young lady, this is usually 16 years old. Your growth chart at your pediatrician's office will show if you have leveled off in height. Also, xrays of the growth plates in your hands will show if you have stopped growing.

15 an acceptable age to begin research for a more desirable nose

Rhinoplasty or cosmetic nose surgery is one of the most common adolescent plastic surgery procedures; however, it’s important to only have nose surgery after you’ve reached at least 90% of your physical maturity as further growth and changes with your bone structure can alter your nose surgery results. At 15, facial growth is complete in a majority of patients, so it’s an acceptable age to begin research for a more desirable nose. Also, it’s important for you to... more

What is the Ideal Age for a Rhinoplasty

The ideal age for a female is 13-14 and for a male is 15-16. First I would make sure that the skeletal growth is complete. This procedure may be done for a variety of reasons including medical and ethnic.

Age for rhinoplasty surgery

Generally age 15 for women and 16 for men. In certain situations surgery maybe done in 14 year old women if they have reached puberty and have physical signs of development. Aside from physical development surgeons must consider potential patients emotional readiness to undergo cosmetic surgery.

For boys it is usually 16 for girls can consider at 15

I like my patients to be at least 16 years old for boys and at least 15 for girls. At this age they usually mature enough physically and mentally to undergo and understand this type of procedure. But of course there are exceptions. If you are not sure if you are a good candidate consider visiting a board certified plastic surgeon with your parents!

Ideal Age For Rhinoplasty

Dear Clau, Normally, most of the nasal development is reached at about 16 years of age for females. I encourage you to wait a little more so your bone structure achieves full maturity. I hope this helps and the best of luck to you. Dr. Sajjadian

Ideal Age for Rhinoplasty

There is no ideal age for rhinoplasty. The youngest age that a rhinoplasty can be done is 15-17 in a female and 17-19 in a male because that’s when most of the nasal growth has completed. Doing a rhinoplasty at a younger age than that requires circumstances such as a congenital deformity, severe nasal airway obstruction or deviation which will require functional correction. This needs to be individualized based upon the patient’s symptoms of nasal deformity. more

Rod J. Rohrich, MD

10 reviews

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Best age for a rhinoplasty

As a general rule, a rhinoplasty is fine on a female of 14 to 16 years of age. The most important thing to consider is whether or not the body maturation process is mostly complete. This is easily judged by whether there is a continuing increase in height and shoe size or whether these factors are stable. For guys, 16 is often a more suitable age for a rhinoplasty, as males mature more slowly than females. As you might understand, everything must be tailored to your specific body type,... more

Ideal Age for Rhinoplasty: When Both Physically & Emotionally Mature.

Rhinoplasty is a common procedure that teenagers contemplate. While there is not a specific age requirement, there are some general guidlines that surgeons consider with teenage patients. First, is the patient physically mature? Is the patient still growing? In females, the skeletal maturity can occur anywhere between 13-15 years old. In males, 14-16 years old. Second, is the patient emotionally mature? Rhinoplasty is a serious operation. The results can be dramatic. Teenage patients need... more

Rhinoplasty when the nasal growth has stabilized

The best age is when the nose has slowed it's growth and has reached a stable appearance. You are the best person to judge that. It is when the nose has not changed for well over a year. This is typically about 14-16 for a female and 16-18 for a male.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Late teens ideal for Rhinoplasty

A single profile view is not the full picture. If you want a Rhinoplasty, you should speak with a board certified plsatic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon and discuss your concerns. Usually I wait until young ladies are 15 or 16 (until they have reached adult size and physical maturity) before I offer them a Rhinoplasty.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Late teens is optimal age for Rhinoplasty in females

Rhinoplasty, by definition, includes a surgical repair of the nasal bone and cartilaginous elements of the nose. However, the nasal bone and cartilage continue to develop until the late teens and possibly into the twenties. Optimal timing of a rhinoplasty should be in the late teens to avoid postoperative changes in the bony and cartilaginous nose that may change the shape of the nose after surgery. I choose to delay surgical repair of the nose until the age of 17 or 18. Being... more

Minimum Age for Rhinoplasty

The minimum age for males is 16 to 17 and female 15 to 16. If there is significant nasal deformity causing psycho-social stress these ages can be even lower. I also interview the patient and parents to determine if the are emotionally ready and have realistic expectations for this...

15 is perfect age for rhinoplasty

Your face has matured and you are excited about moving ahead. Rhinoplasty is safe and results predictable at 15. You are at a formative period of your life and nasal shaping can be very uplifting and help you move ahead with a positive self image and confident outlook. If you are confident with your surgeon go for it!

Wait until your facial growth is nearly complete before having Rhinoplasty or plastic surgery

Dear Clau, I usually wait until you are 18 years old before doing a Rhinoplasty or "nose job". Most facial and nose growth occurs by menarche (when you started having your period) but your face bones will continue to grow and mature for 1 or 2 more years. The reason I wait is that if you have your Rhinoplasty at 15, and your facial and nose bones continue to grow, then the problem that you wanted to fix, say a bump on the nose, may come back. To avoid the possiblity of having to... more

When you are ready!

The correct time for a cosmetic rhinoplasty depends or physical and emotional considerations. 1- Physical considerations- you should be fully grown - for a girl, the rule of thumb is one year after your first period. 2- Emotional considerations - you must understand that a) This procedure will not change your life or your friends. b) It will not help you get a boyfriend. c) People who like you for a new nose may not be the most loyal of friends. d) surgery takes times and can be disfiguring... more

When there is no further nasal growth and the patient is emotionally ready.

Rhinoplasty involves reshaping the nasal bones and cartilages to create a balance in the sub-units of the nose and proper relationships to the individual mid-face. Usually nasal growth is complete by late teens. However this surgery is a process that requires patience and sometimes an adjustment to the way we have always seen ourselves. For this reason it is important that a patient be emotionally as well as physically mature. Now is a good time to discuss your goals with an experienced... more

There are different ages for males and females, but 15 is uaually fine.

For males, we usually wait until they are over 18 as they mature and grow later than girls. For females, if you have had your menses for a few years, are a reletively stable height and weight, then over 14 is reasonable. Another factor that needs to be evaluated is maturity, this is a surgical procedure and involves some risk. You need to be able to verbalize your desires and fears and understand the procedure. It is important for you to look at your nose and tell your surgeon what you do... more

Fifteen may be just fine

The traditional teaching is to wait until age 15 or 16 for women and sometimes even older for men. Surgeons want to wait until your nose has finished growing so that they don't theoretically risk affecting your nasal growth. Nasal 'maturity' happens at different ages, though. Some girls are physically mature a year or two after they first have their periods. Some take longer. Another way to get a sense of physical maturity is height. If your growth curve in height has slowed down a lot, then... more

Minimum Age For Rhinoplasty

Hi Clau, Rhinoplasty should be performed electively after a patient's nasal bones have stopped growing. Bone growth can be looked at with X-rays to determine their maturity. Usually if the patient has gone through puberty, and the shoe and clothes sizes have stabilized, then it is safe to proceed with rhinoplasty. The minimal age is usually 15 to 16 years old. If a patient has thick and oily skin at this age, I prefer to wait a few more years as the skin improves. Your profile looks... more

Michael A. Persky, MD

21 reviews

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

drpersky.com

It can be done now.

Normally, a girl can have nasal surgery at 13-14 years of age. In boys we will sometimes wait til they are 17-18 if they are still growing. In other words, the nose will stop growing then with rare exception.