Should a 15 year old get a nose job?

Is there a physical or medical cause which limits the age for rhinoplasty? For many years surgeons felt early surgery on the nose would alter negatively its growth. The commonly accepted rule was two years after the start of menarche as most teenage girls have reached their full height at this time. However this thinking has been challenged and the opinion is now mixed and no longer clear and reassuring. Much of this work comes from Toronto, where Dr Crysdale has operated on hundreds of child with very severe nasal blockage. These kids, some as young as eight, have been followed into adulthood and no evidence suggests their nasal growth has been affected at all.I believe the decision to proceed with rhinoplasty isn’t so much as physical as mental. It’s a question of emotional maturity more so than physical. Everyone agrees the best outcomes can happen when it’s the patient who wants the nose job surgery, rather than anyone else. Teenagers are transitioning from dependency towards full independence. Their family, most notably their parents, are to some greater or less degree involved and influence the decision. If the surgeon feels the parents are promoting the surgery while the teenager is equivocal, the outcome and success is at risk. Regardless of the objective improvement, success, as defined by the patient, may not occur. There are several possible outcomes of teenage rhinoplasty, many which are not healthy for the teenage patient or the family.

If you have reached your full height potential, it may be reasonable to consult several reputable rhinoplasty surgeons with your parents. If your pediatrician thinks you have not finished growing in stature, you should wait to consider rhinoplasty.Hope this helps, and wishing you well.Dr Joseph

Regardless of your age or sex, if you feel that you are still growing, I would dissuade you from having rhinoplasty as you may regret this decision later as your face continues to grow, but your nose does not.  Generally, boys should wait to have rhinoplasty until they are around 17 (or completed their growth) and women 15-16 (or completed their growth).  All the best!