Considering Rhinoplasty at the age of 16, male.

The decision to have cosmetic surgery is very personal regardless of the age of the patient or the type of cosmetic surgery that the patient is considering. It is common for teens to begin to become more aware of their self image and as a result, it is during this time that people may begin to consider cosmetic surgeyr to enhance their appearance. In most cases, rhinoplasty should be delayed until the facial skeleton has matured. This is typically in the mid to late teens. For girls, cosmetic rhinoplasty should be delayed until at least 14-16 years old. For boys, facial skeletal growth is usually complete between 16-18 years old. When rhinoplasty is performed after this stage, it is unlikely that the changes from surgery will detrimentally effect facial skeleton development. In your case, you may be old enough to have rhinoplasty. It is difficult to tell exactly when your facial skeleton is mature but it likely correlates to when you stop growing in height. If your height has stabilized, it may be fine for you to consider rhinoplasty. What is of equal importance to the physical maturity of the face is the emotional maturity of the patient. When considering cosmetic surgery, it is important to do it for the right motivations-doing it for yourself to look good and feel more confident about your appearance. Additionally, it is important to have realistic expectations about the type of result that can be achieved following rhinoplasty surgery; an improvement in the appearance of the nose, improved balance and harmony between the nose and your facial features, and a timeless result-a result that will look good both right now and in the future as you get older.

You should complete skeletal growth before undergoing rhinoplasty.  I perform these surgeries
with closed technique
to preserve the structure of the nose and minimize visible scarring.
Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Cosmetic surgery teenagers presents some interesting psychological issues for the plastic surgeon. Nevertheless some individuals benefit immensely although the operation is always done with the consent of the parents.

Hello, your question is a good one.  Usually at or around the age of 16 a rhinoplasty can be performed.  However, it is important to ensure that there is adquate facial growth becuase if there is work on the nasal septum there is in theory a possible chance of affecting facial growth. An evaluation in the office is critical to assess the severity and degree of what anatomic structures would need correction.

 As long as you have quit growing, it is acceptable to undergo rhinoplasty at age 17.  You will need your parent's consent to do so. The rhinoplasty procedure would involve shaving down the dorsal hump, narrowing the bridge with osteotomies and reducing of the bulbous tip with suture techniques applied to the lower lateral cartilages of the tip. For more information, and many examples, please see the link below