What's the youngest age for rhinoplasty & how big a change can be made? (Photos)

Hello, and thank you for your question. Surgeons have been known to perform rhinoplasty on patients as young as 15 for girls and 16 for boys. This is the age when the nose has finally reached its peak growth stage, and rhinoplasty then becomes a viable option for correcting or enhancing nasal features for medical and cosmetic concerns. A surgeon will first need to assess a patient’s nasal bones, cartilage, and septum to determine if the patient’s nose is fully developed, as well as assess the patient’s eligibility for the procedure. A good surgeon will never encourage the surgery if he/she is not 100% confident that the patient is a suitable candidate.

Rhinoplasty, regardless of age, is a very complex procedure. I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with a reputable board-certified facial plastic surgeon, particularly one with a strong rhinoplasty portfolio. Your surgeon will do a proper evaluation, determine your eligibility for surgery, recommend the best approach to address your concerns and goals (a surgeon will have an eye for facial balance and symmetry too), and help ensure the best possible outcome. Recovery will also depend on the concerns addressed and the surgical technique used. In general, a patient will need to rest for 1-2 weeks and avoid strenuous activities for up to four weeks. Full results should be achieved after a full year.

Hi, there! Rhinoplasty can be performed when the nose has completed 90% of its growth, which can occur as early as age 13 or 14 in girls and 15 or 16 in boys. I would recommend starting with a consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon that specializes in rhinoplasty surgery to discuss if rhinoplasty can address your concerns.

I would recommend writing down the following questions before scheduling your consultation:
1. Are you unhappy with the tip of your nose?
2. Do you feel that your nose is too wide?
3. Do you want to make your nostrils smaller in appearance?
4. Are you looking to decrease the general size of your nose?
I hope some of these questions will help you pinpoint what it is that you don't like about your nose. Cost will vary due to various factors like anesthesia fees, facilities fees, etc. I wish you the best as you research your options when scheduling a rhinoplasty consultation.

Sincerely,
Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

The youngest that we do rhinoplasty on females is 15 1/2. Yes, your nose can be altered so that it has more of a curve and shorter and more refined. Be sure to see a rhinoplasty expert that can perform computer imaging at the same time.

Facial skeleton maturation, including nose growth and development, happens sooner in girls than in boys. Around age of 15 years, female facial growth is completed and, at that point, surgeries like rhinoplasty may be safely performed. That also depends of mental maturity and motivation of the patient and family. With boys, this process competes around age of 18. Hope this helps.

I have i on reformed rhinoplasty in girls as young as 15. It depends in several factors., has the nose finished growing? Is it sufficiently large that it’s affecting her socially or psychologically? Many factors weigh into whether or not to do a rhinoplasty at a young age

Dear ellie2229,
Thank you for the question and uploading your photos. The youngest age a female can get a rhinoplasty is 16 years old. Generally, females faces have matured enough to undergo a nose procedure by that age.
As far as a "big of a change" depends on what the patient's nose starts off as. This requires an honest discussion with a board certified facial plastic surgeon to make sure that your surgical goals are achievable.
The recovery from a rhinoplasty is a year long process. You have stitches and a cast for 1 week. You will be bruised and very swollen for up to 2 weeks. The skin of the nose takes a full year to heal. Many patients are socially presentable 2-3 weeks after surgery.
I hope this helps answer your questions!All the best,Dr. Sanan, MD
Double board certified facial plastic surgeon Akshay Sanan MD Facial Plastic Surgery Los Angeles, CA

Surgery should be done once bone growth is complete. Ideally at 18 years of age, but can be done from 15 - 16 years of age
Rhinoplasty corrects deviations, bony hump (bone that protrudes from the back of the nose), congenital malformations (cleft palate, lip sequelae), and others acquired in life due to illness or trauma. It also serves to improve the breathing of patients who have problems in this area.
The first 24 hours after your rhinoplasty you have to rest completely and after this period it is recommended 15 days of moderate rest.

At what age can a female have a Rhinoplasty‘s? Most surgeons consider 15 years of age to be the youngest that a female can undergo rhinoplasty. Usually for males the age is 16. Your nose can be made considerably smaller if you wish. There is almost no limit to how small a nose can be made theoretically, but aesthetically the after image which you show appears too small and too scooped and too overdone.

Thank you for your question and photographs. Different plastic surgeons will have different age criteria/cutoffs when it comes to rhinoplasty. Generally, one should not undergo a cosmetic rhinoplasty before age 16. After 16, it is reasonable for you and your surgeon to consider a rhinoplasty if your goals of surgery are appropriate, if you have realistic expectations and you have good support at home. While it is understandable that the shape of someone's nose can significantly affect their aesthetic appearance and self-image, it is important to wait until the face has matured and you are mentally and psychologically prepared for surgery. It is always best to seek opinion from an expert in Facial Plastic Surgery before undergoing elective surgery on your face.Best of luck!Dr. Giriraj Sharma, MD; Facial Plastic Surgeon in Newport Beach, CA

Rhinoplasty can be performed in the teenage years; however, the determination as to when is correct is to be made by your surgeon. Typically the answer is 15 or older for women and 16 or older for men. Again, this is not an exact answer and only consultation and evaluation with a surgeon can determine what is correct for each patient.