What Age Can You Get a Rhinoplasty?
Posted February 14, 2025 in Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty, more commonly known as a nose job, is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures available, primarily because of its ability to correct both aesthetic and functional concerns. However, one of the questions that is often asked is regarding age: what age is the right age to get rhinoplasty? In this blog, we’ll discuss what you need to know about age requirements for rhinoplasty.
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Reasons to Undergo Rhinoplasty
No matter your age, most people who choose to undergo rhinoplasty do so to address cosmetic concerns, functional problems, or both. Some of the reasons to seek rhinoplasty include:
- Straightening a crooked nose
- Smoothing or reducing bumps on your nose
- Refining the nasal tip
- Narrowing or widening the bridge of your nose
- Correcting asymmetry
- Enhancing facial symmetry
- Improving breathing or other functional issues
Is There a Minimum Age for Rhinoplasty?
When determining if rhinoplasty is right for you, age does come into play. A good candidate for rhinoplasty must be both physically and emotionally mature enough for the procedure.
Physical Maturity
In order for your rhinoplasty to be successful, your nose must be fully developed. Girls’ noses stop growing around age 15, while boys’ noses typically stop growing between ages 16 and 18. Some people’s noses may still change slightly even into their 20s, but for the most part, by the time you’re in your later teens, your nose is fully formed.
The reason you will need to wait to undergo rhinoplasty until your nose has stopped developing is simple: you want the results of your surgery to be long-lasting. If you reshape your nose before it is done growing, it will continue to change and may alter your results.
Emotional Maturity
While rhinoplasty addresses a physical aspect of your face, it also affects you emotionally and psychologically. If you are undergoing rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons, it is likely because the appearance of your nose has caused you to feel self-conscious. Before performing the surgery, your surgeon will want to know that you understand the procedure, have realistic expectations for your results, and that the decision to undergo rhinoplasty is one you’ve made for yourself, not because of outside influences.
Rhinoplasty for Teenagers
Many teenagers who seek rhinoplasty do so to boost their confidence in their appearance. Again, as long as their noses are finished developing, teenagers who wish to alter the shape or size of their nose or address a defect or asymmetry may be a good candidate for rhinoplasty.
If you are a teenager under 18, you will require parental consent for the procedure. Parents of teens who wish to undergo rhinoplasty should ensure that their child is pursuing surgery for the right reasons and be able to provide support for them through surgery and recovery.
Rhinoplasty for Adults
There is no upper age limit for rhinoplasty as long as you are in good overall health. Maybe you waited to undergo cosmetic rhinoplasty because of cost or recovery time. Or perhaps you decided it was time to address chronic breathing difficulties caused by structural issues, such as a deviated septum. Whether your reasons are cosmetic or functional, rhinoplasty surgery can enhance your quality of life.
Because there is no upper age limit for rhinoplasty, it’s never too late to change the look of your nose or address functional problems. As you age, gravity affects your nose just as it does your facial skin. Your skin gets thinner and less elastic, and the structure of your nose begins to weaken, causing your nasal tip to droop. While many people think your nose grows more prominent as you age, increased size is just an illusion caused by drooping.
Rhinoplasty can address these concerns, but older patients must also keep in mind that age and health conditions may affect their results. Overall, age will slow the healing process, and aging skin’s delicacy and reduced elasticity may affect your results.
Learn More About Rhinoplasty in Coral Gables
If you are considering rhinoplasty but have questions about how your age may affect your results, it’s time to schedule a consultation at Careaga Plastic Surgery. To learn more about rhinoplasty surgery and determine if it is right for you, call our office today at (305) 929-0445 or complete the online contact form.