What is the Ideal Age for a Rhinoplasty?

Several variables should be considered when determining the appropriate age for rhinoplasty surgery. These variables tend to make each patient’s situation unique. As a general rule, it’s important for patients to reach both physical and emotional maturity before proceeding with surgery.
Physical maturity is important for several reasons. Operating on the nose before growth has stabilized can have significant consequences. Under these circumstances, continued growth following rhinoplasty surgery can result in nasal changes that may alter the appearance of the nose. In addition, rhinoplasty surgery performed at an early age has the potential to disrupt facial growth. This can result in flattened cheekbones and even malocclusion.
Emotional maturity is also extremely important. For the most part, this procedure is irreversible and young patients must understand the significance of their decision. The nose is located in the center of their face and their appearance will be altered forever.
Although opinions vary from surgeon to surgeon regarding the earliest age for rhinoplasty, most surgeons feel that an age of 15 to 17 for women and 16 to 18 for men is appropriate. Each patient’s situation is unique and several factors may alter these numbers. In children with congenital nasal birth defects or post-traumatic nasal deformities, surgery may be indicated at an earlier age. In this group, significant nasal aesthetic deformities, deviation of the nasal septum, and difficulty breathing may make early intervention a necessity.
If you’re considering rhinoplasty surgery as a teenager, it’s important to first discuss the issue with your parents. If everyone agrees that rhinoplasty is an option, consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon would be appropriate. The vast majority of patients who undergo rhinoplasty as teenagers report high levels of satisfaction.

Hello and thank you for your question. I start rhinoplasty at age 15 in the right patient with parental consent. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

It is essential that your nose has finished growing and you are mature enough to comprehend the surgery and its implications.

Rhinoplasty can be performed safely after approximately 15 years of age, when the nasal-growth plates have reached 90-95% of their potential adult size. However, this must be determined on a case-by-case basis, as occasionally I have encountered teens who, at 15, have not finished the brunt of their growing spurt. No matter your age, however, if you are traumatized by an unfortunate-looking nose, with a bulbous tip, crooked bridge, oversized proportion, dorsal bump, hooked or “beaked” appearance, plunging tip or too-wide nostrils, you are the right age. I’ve performed rhinoplasty surgery on patients in their 70s, in fact, in conjunction with face lifts. The ideal age to have a rhinoplasty is whenever you look in the mirror and don’t like what you see.

Dear Realself user,Thank you for your very good question, I will do my best to anwser you.I would reccoment for females to complete the age of 17 because this is when your bones in your nose are done growing and the nose sets.A male should complete the age of 18 to undergo a rhinoplasty operation.
Best regards,
TAS Aesthetic Surgery Clinic

I never perform a rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons on anyone under the age of 18-years. Even at the age of 18, I often ask patients who is supporting them at home. It is always good to have a parent or other older family member on your side. Imagine if things don't quite go to plan? The last thing you need at this stage is your mum or dad saying "i told you you shouldn't have had this done in the first place!'.
It is much better if you have someone who can sit down with you and your surgeon and listen to both the up and downsides of surgery. You can then go away and talk about it at home before returning again, if necessary.
This is a little vague, but I have noticed that my patients who are 22-years or older, have often had enough time to think about whether they really want surgery and weigh up the pros and cons - they tend to be a lot happier than a lot of my younger patients.
Hope this helps, good luck!