What happens to your nose decades after getting a nose job? How does rhinoplasty hold up over long periods of time?

Question

I don't know if it is pseudo-science, but I've heard that the nose and ears change over time as you get older. It got me wondering how a rhinoplasty would hold up over time 10, 20, 50 years later after the procedure. Does the nose still change/ get bigger as you get older like it would've? Is there maintenance down the road after you get rhinoplasty, like revisions? Thank you for your time and knowledge!

A. Joshua Zimm, MD · Answer

Great question.  A nose doesn't really get bigger as one ages.  Like everything else in the body as we age, the nose can hang and droop (especially if there is weak cartilage/lack of tip support to begin with) which can make it appear larger.  If a rhinoplasty is performed well and structurally supported, it should last a lifetime.  On the other hand, if too much cartilage is removed without support, collapse and breathing issues can occur years down the road.  Best wishes.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

The results of rhinoplasty hold up very well over time.  Everyone's skin and subcutaneous tissues change over time and this may make the rhinoplasty result appear slightly different but the overall shape and contour will remain.

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

The nose continues to change all to our lives.  Even after rhinoplasty the nose can become twisted, droopy, bulky over a period of 20-30 years.  That is natural progression which does not happen every case.RegardsDr. J

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. After one year, the results are stable. The most important aspect is to find
a surgeon you are comfortable with.  I recommend that you seek consultation with a
qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Richard W. Westreich, MD · Answer

The skin of the nose thins out for many years after Rhinoplasty. Bones heal over a 3-5 year period and cartilage can soften over time. With Rhinoplasty, a long term strategy is critical in making a nose last for a lifetime. Restructuring, rather than removal of cartilage is critical for long term stability and natural looking results.

What happens to your nose decades after getting a nose job? How does rhinoplasty hold up over long periods of time?

Answers (5)