What You Need to Know If Your Teen Wants Rhinoplasty

Although most rhinoplasty patients are adults, it’s becoming more and more popular among teenagers. Rhinoplasty is the number one cosmetic procedure among patients who are 13-19 years of age with over 30,000 performed in 2013. If your teenager is asking about getting a nose job, there are a couple things you should know about before you take them to see a rhinoplasty surgeon.

How Old Should Your Teen Be to Have Rhinoplasty?

A rhinoplasty surgeon can’t operate on your teen’s nose until it has stopped growing. If they do, there is a strong chance your teen will outgrow his or her nose job. It could look even worse than it did before the surgery, which would mean getting revision rhinoplasty.

Teens go through puberty and growth periods at different times and different rates, so it can be difficult to know when they’ve reached their adult size. Girls usually get to this point around age 15 or 16, while boys’ noses mature fully around 17 or 18. A rhinoplasty surgeon will take your teen’s health history into account as well as your family’s history when determining if your teen is old enough to have surgery; however, they will also usually wait until your teen reaches the later age range to be sure that all the cartilage in the nose has reached its adult size.

Why Does Your Teen Want Rhinoplasty?

It’s important for your teen to be mature enough to understand the surgery and what the results will do for them. They also need to have a strong, mature motivation for wanting the surgery. “Because everyone else has one” or “To make people like me” isn’t going to cut it. However, there are many teens who seek out a nose job because they are insecure about the way it looks. Because puberty causes the body to grow at different rates in different areas, your teen could be forced to deal with facial features that are disproportionate to the rest of their face. They might be the target of teasing or bullying, causing psychological and emotional damage, which is especially dangerous during this time in their life. Rhinoplasty can be an excellent way to improve your teen’s self-confidence and self-esteem, as long as they understand what they’re getting into.

How Will Rhinoplasty Be Different for Your Teen?

Surgically speaking, the surgery really isn’t any different for teens as it is for adults. In fact, teens are more likely to have an easier recovery period because they have younger tissue that is capable of healing quickly. This will also make the recovery shorter. Even so, it would be beneficial to have your teen get his or her rhinoplasty over summer vacation while they have plenty of time to rest and relax without taking time off from school.

How Can You Start the Rhinoplasty Process for Your Teen?

You and your teen need to schedule a rhinoplasty consultation with a rhinoplasty surgeon. You can ask as many questions as you want and address any concerns, plus your teen can find out more about the procedure and learn if they are ready for it. Dr. Weniger is a board-certified plastic surgeon who prides himself on his communication with patients. To schedule a rhinoplasty consultation at his private practice, call (843) 757-0123.