Rhinoplasty is the most popular facial cosmetic procedure performed in the United States. It is performed on both men and women, young and old. But often the question comes up as to whether or not there is a right age for rhinoplasty. Can someone be too young or too old to get a nose job?
Rhinoplasty for Teenagers
Most of us have heard of teens receiving the gift of rhinoplasty for their sixteenth birthday, or returning to school after summer break with a slightly different nose. Is any of this a good idea?
Because all teens grow and mature differently, there is no single right age for rhinoplasty. The usual guide is to wait until bone growth is complete. By following this recommendation you can avoid the risk of continued growth altering the result. For girls this often has occurred by age fifteen or sixteen, while boys may not reach this until age seventeen or eighteen. A simple way to determine if bone growth is complete is to have the teen get an x ray of the wrist or knee growth plate and see if it has fused.
When rhinoplasty is being considered for a teen under age twenty, it is very important that the motivation and desire come from the teen to have the surgery and that the parents are acting in a supportive role, not a deciding or determining role (other than in helping to choose the surgeon). Parents who are considering rhinoplasty for their teens should also make sure that the teen is emotionally mature and has realistic expectations. Rhinoplasty in teens can often result in tremendous improvement in self confidence and esteem, but it will not in and of itself be life changing or create opportunities and popularity.
Rhinoplasty for Older Patients
There has recently been an uptick in the number of people over the age of 60 having cosmetic surgery procedures. This includes rhinoplasty. If you are in overall good health you are probably a good candidate for rhinoplasty, Older patients who seek rhinoplasty usually have it done as more of a rejuvenating procedure then as a face altering procedure. Most older patients are comfortable with their facial identity and often just wish to improve specific features which have always bothered them.
