My 15 year old daughter would like a nose job, is she old enough?

Rhinoplasty can be performed as early as age 15 in females and age 17 in males.
This should be done in the hands of a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon or Otolaryngologist
with expertise in Rhinoplasty.

Thanks for the question. There's no age limit for rhinoplasty procedure. However, patients must be over 18 years of age.

Certain limitations exist in children which precludes performing rhinoplasty prior to puberty.  This has to do with facial growth centers (physical maturity) and the ability to cope with the process and recovery of surgery (mental maturity). 
Ordinarily, girls are physically and mentally “mature” enough by the age of fifteen (boys at age seventeen to eighteen) to have surgical correction. However, I find it necessary to individualize this factor because some boys and girls “mature” at earlier ages (both mentally and physically). So that I can monitor their growth and maturation, I prefer to see these young men and women whenever they become interested in having a rhinoplasty even though surgical correction may be delayed.  Early correction of unwanted nasal deformities can often give young people more self-confidence and improved self-esteem. I would suggest visiting with a facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon that specializes in rhinoplasty to review you and your daughter's concerns.  An in person exam can help to establish some (realistic) goals for surgery. A parent should come with a minor to the consultation visit.

The minimum age at which it would be appropriate to operate on an individual for rhinoplasty surgery would depend upon a variety of factors.  The two most important of these would be their physical maturity and the second would be their psychological maturity.  A 15 year old female should be physically matured.  Whether they are mentally prepared for changes to their face and whether they are mature enough to make that decision is another issue.  I will  also operate on younger individuals with noses that are particularly stigmatic.  If the individual is being bullied and the individual will truly benefit from having a very large or deformed nose corrected, I will also perform rhinoplasty in that individual as those formative years can have an impact on future self esteem.

The decision
to undergo a rhinoplasty as a teenager is a serious decision. When evaluating the earliest age for a
patient to undergo the surgery I will evaluate:

1)Their Physical Maturity

2)Their Mental Maturity

It is best to wait until the majority of the
growth has occurred in the facial region before undergoing a rhinoplasty. Having surgery before completion of facial
growth has the potential to effecting the growth of the face. In female, this typically occurs after the
beginning of the menstrual cycle. This
is typically around 15 to 16 years old.

I will evaluate the mental maturity of teen
aged patients to ensure they are ready to undergo surgery. I want to ensure they have the correct
motivations and prepared to emotionally handle the change in their appearance.

I
hope this helps.  

Dear Anna,    I have operated on 15 years olds for Rhinoplasty (nose job), but in addition to their desire for surgery, they had to obtain the consent of their two parents and pediatrician.        Every surgery is stressful and more so with nose job , because you can't hide it. So, we need to make sure that your daughter is mature enough to undergo  the procedure and understand surgery and the healing process.   Ward of caution. Not all results are the same , because experience, skills and aesthetic eye are critical for good outcome. So, do your due diligence and choose wisely.  Always consult with experience board certified plastic surgeons who operate in accredited surgery center for your daughter safety. Check the before and after pictures, to make sure that they are numerous, consistent and attractive.                   Best of luck,                                    Dr Widder

Most females can be candidates for rhinoplasty by the age of 15.Kenneth Hughes, MDBeverly Hills, CA.

 Most young lady's have finished growing by 15-1/2 to age 16. As long as the face is quit growing, it's acceptable to undergo the procedure with parental consent.

anna davies, Most females are candidates at 15; depends on their individual growth cycle and if I'm not sure I get xrays of the epiphyseal plates of one of the long bones. See an experienced specialist. Good luck!

I have treated young ladies at 15 or 16 that have fully matured and young men by about 18.  Before that their bone structure and growth has not completed.