What would happen if I got rhinoplasty too young? I'm almost 17 and I want to fix a crooked nose but want to do it soon.

Question

All I want to know is if I get the procedure done too early will the nose go back to being crooked if it grows more?

Clark Schierle, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

The younger you are the more risk there is you may still be growing and the final result is less predictable but some lasting change can still be expected. You have to understand that there is no such thing as the “perfect” nose. As rhinoplasty surgeons, we are able to improve the structure and function of the nose to address specific issues you have with how your nose looks and and how well you can breathe. Perfect symmetry does not exist in nature. Attempts to improve the symmetry of your nose should be aimed at achieving an improvement in your asymmetry to the point where it is no longer very noticeable. If you look carefully enough, you will always be able to find imperfections. The goal is a normal looking nose that is in harmony with the rest of your anatomy.

Marcelo Ghersi, MD · Answer

Hello, we typically start doing rhinoplasty around 16-18 years of age for women and 18-21 years of age for men. So you're old enough, just make sure you go to a well trained and certified surgeon for your operation.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

Age for rhinoplasty and repair of crooked nose? If you are a female there should be no problem having a rhinoplasty and it will not go back to the way it was. I have done noses for 35 years in the females as young as 14 without any reversal of the surgery.If you are a male then you may want to wait a few more years before deciding to have this done.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

At age 17, patients are still a minor and must get parental consent to undergo any type of surgery. It's important to make sure that patients have stopped growing before undergoing elective cosmetic nasal surgery. Young girls are able to undergo a rhinoplasty at age 16 and young men can have it done at age 18.  Rhinoplasty involves osteotomies of the nasal bones to straighten the crooked nose, so it's important not to interrupt the growth plates of the nasal bones if the nose is still growing. For many examples of rhinoplasty for crooked nose repair, please see the link and video below

Michael Sundine, MD, FACS · Answer

In general it is best to wait until skeletal maturity has been reached to perform a rhinoplasty.  That way growth will not make any changes in the appearance of the nose.  For women skeletal maturity is generally reached at 16 years of age and for men skeletal maturity is reached at about 18 years of age.

What would happen if I got rhinoplasty too young? I'm almost 17 and I want to fix a crooked nose but want to do it soon.

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Answer: Rhinoplasty for crooked nose at age 17

Answer: Rhinoplasty for crooked nose at age 17

Answer: Age for Rhinoplasty

Answer: Age for Rhinoplasty

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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What would happen if I got rhinoplasty too young? I'm almost 17 and I want to fix a crooked nose but want to do it soon.

Answers (10)

Answer: Rhinoplasty for crooked nose at age 17

Answer: Rhinoplasty for crooked nose at age 17

Answer: Age for Rhinoplasty

Answer: Age for Rhinoplasty

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.