Scottsdale rhinoplasty surgeon

The nose is at the center of the face, and has a huge impact on a person’s overall appearance. For those who are unhappy with the shape of their nose, it’s very difficult to disguise this. The only way to change the shape of the nose is through a surgical procedure known as rhinoplasty, commonly called a “nose job.” Fortunately, rhinoplasty is able to address many different concerns with the appearance of the nose, and can often improve a person’s self-confidence and satisfaction with how they look.

Genetics control the size and shape of the nose, and so people who don’t like how their nose looks often become aware of this at an early age. Many teens are very conscious of their appearance. If they’re unhappy with the shape of their nose, they often want to address this as soon as possible. Is it possible for a teen to get a nose job? At what age does it become appropriate to consider rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty can be considered after physical growth is complete

It’s important to wait on rhinoplasty until after the nose is finished growing. If the procedure is done too early, then the results may be compromised as the nose continues to grow and change in size and shape. There’s no way to know ahead of time exactly how growth will occur, which means that it would be impossible to predict the results from an early rhinoplasty. After the growth process is finished, then we can achieve more lasting and predictable results from the procedure.

Growth of the nose is usually complete by about 15 to 16 years of age in girls, and about 17 to 18 years of age in boys. However, this can vary quite a bit from person to person. Some people’s noses may be done growing earlier, while others may still be experiencing growth at older ages. After the nose has stabilized in size and shape, then a rhinoplasty can be considered.

Maturity is very important

Besides physical growth, there’s another crucial factor to consider with any type of plastic surgery for teens. It’s important to ensure that the patient is freely choosing the procedure, and that they want to do it for themselves, not because of any pressure from peers, parents, or other outside factors. They need to demonstrate the maturity to truly understand the potential consequences of their decision, and to make their choice thoughtfully. 

Until a teen demonstrates this level of maturity in their thinking, then it’s not time to consider any type of plastic surgery, including rhinoplasty. As with physical growth, cognitive maturation happens at different rates in different people, so the age at which they may be ready to think about a surgical procedure will also vary.

Scottsdale rhinoplasty surgeon

If your teen has been expressing that they’re unhappy with how their nose looks and they’re asking for a rhinoplasty, then it’s important to wait until their physical growth process is complete and they’ve demonstrated the maturity to make an independent and thoughtful decision. If you believe that your teen might be ready to consider a rhinoplasty, then your next step is to consult a qualified plastic surgeon. It’s best to choose an expert in the field of facial plastic surgery. You don’t want to choose the least expensive option, only to have your teen need a second surgery later on to correct problems with the first one.

Dr. Henderson is an expert in facial plastic surgery. Her many years of training and experience allow her to get the best possible results for her patients. If you’re considering rhinoplasty for your teen, please contact our office to schedule an appointment. After an exam and a discussion with you and your teen, she’ll let you know whether she believes that it could be time to consider rhinoplasty. Please contact our office to book your appointment.