Many young people choose to correct their breathing issues and nose shape with a Teen Nose Job – Teen Rhinoplasty or Teen Septoplasty. This guide by Melbourne ENT Surgeon Dr Stephen Kleid aims to discuss the options and the pros and cons of a Nose Surgery for Teenagers.

With an increase in the number of nose surgeries being performed, there has also been an increase in social media ads for nose jobs. There has also been a marked increase in the number of social media influencers and celebrities sharing their nose job stories. As celebrities are sharing their stories, teenagers are becoming more aware of this option to correct their nose shapes. This has led to an increasing number of teenagers wanting to undergo a nose job.

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Which Nose Job? – About Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty

A nose job is a plastic surgery procedure that aims to reconstruct and alter the shape of the nose, to either improve breathing or provide facial harmony. Rhinoplasty can be done either to better the function of the nose using reconstructive surgery or to alter the structure of the nose for cosmetic reasons using cosmetic surgery. Septoplasty is done to improve the nasal pathways and reduce breathing issues.

Rhinoplasty is a complex surgical procedure that targets the nose shape and provides aesthetic benefits to the patient. However, sometimes, a rhinoplasty can also treat breathing issues (see septo-rhinoplasty in Melbourne ). The way this works is that some of the breathing issues occur due to structural flaws of the nose. Once these are corrected, the breathing issues almost always get resolved as well.

Surgical rhinoplasty is usually done either as open rhinoplasty or closed rhinoplasty. In open rhinoplasty, the surgeon makes a small incision at the columella, the base of the nasal septum. In closed rhinoplasty, the surgeon performs the entire procedure endonasally without making an incision.

Who is an Ideal Candidate for a Rhinoplasty?

A rhinoplasty is a major surgical procedure that can be performed for a variety of reasons. It has also become safer and much more effective thanks to the recent technological advances. However, still, not everyone is eligible to undergo this procedure. That is mainly out of concern for the safety of the patient as not everyone can tolerate a surgical procedure like a rhinoplasty.

An ideal candidate for a teen rhinoplasty procedure is someone who:

Is physically and mentally healthy
Is a non-smoker or willing to quit at least six weeks in advance
Is unhappy with the shape of their nose
May have broken their nose or be bothered by the appearance of the nose
Is aware of the risks and potential complications that can arise from the procedure
Is making an informed decision about undergoing this procedure
Is not undergoing the procedure to fit into any trend
Is solely undergoing the procedure for themselves

Nose Job Quick Surgery Guide - Melbourne ENT img

What is Teen Rhinoplasty?

Teen or Teenage rhinoplasties are often just confused with a rhinoplasty procedure performed on a teenager. However, the procedure is far more complex than a traditional rhinoplasty. The procedure also has different eligibility criteria as the people undergoing the procedure are at a different developmental level than adults.

A teen rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure performed on teens under the age of 18 years, for the correction of aesthetic flaws, both internal and structural. It is performed for reasons similar to those of a traditional rhinoplasty such as improvement of facial appearance and resolving of breathing issues.

The procedure is NOT performed on every teen who is unhappy with the shape or appearance of their nose. It is only performed when the misshapen nose of the teen becomes a large concern and a doctor believes it to be healthier to improve the aesthetics rather than wait till the patient is over the age of 18 years.

Furthermore, a teen rhinoplasty is a serious, life-changing procedure that a teen can only undergo with the consent of parents or a legal guardian. The patient and their parents should work together to understand the concerns of the teen and the parent before deciding on a teen rhinoplasty procedure as a solution to the teen’s problems. It should be a mutual decision as the teen is the one suffering from the issue, but may often overlook the long-term effects of the procedure.

This is where the perspective and helpful suggestions of the parents is essential. Together, the best decision can be made and then, discussed with their surgeon.

Consider the Side Effects of a Teen Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure and is associated with risks common to all surgeries like:

Bleeding
Infection
An adverse reaction to the anaesthesia

Please read and consider the potential complications and risks of surgery page.

However, other risks specific to rhinoplasty are:

Difficulty breathing through your nose
Permanent numbness in and around your nose
The possibility of an uneven-looking nose
Pain, discolouration, or swelling that may persist
Scarring
A hole in the septum (septal perforation)
A need for additional surgery

It is important to note that accurate results of rhinoplasty may not be visible immediately after the surgery. Sometimes, the desired shape of the nose may not be visible until almost a year later.

Who is a Good Nose Surgeon for Teen Rhinoplasty?

A good nose surgeon should have the following qualities and characteristics:

Is a board-certified ENT surgeon with expertise in performing rhinoplasties and other nose surgeries
Puts the safety and well-being of the patient first
Communicates with the patient to achieve the expected results, without compromising the health of the patient
Is willing to explain the procedure, the risks, and complications associated with it, and answer any related questions in a manner that the patient understands.
Communicates with the patients without using medical terms and jargon that the patient cannot understand
Helps the patient realize the importance of harmony of facial features, and understand this harmony themselves. This improves the chances of you receiving a nose shape that matches your expectations and fits in with your face.
Is willing to adapt to the new technologies used in cosmetic surgery
Is always learning about new procedures and improving the techniques used in the rhinoplasty procedure.

Why do Teens Undergo Rhinoplasty?

There are several reasons why teens undergo rhinoplasty. Contrary to popular belief, vanity is not a major reason why teens undergo this complex procedure. In fact, most teens decide to undergo this procedure due to severe concerns with breathing, appearance or other functional aspects of their nose.

Who can have a Teen Rhinoplasty?

The decision to undergo a teen rhinoplasty is not an easy one. There are a lot of factors that need to be considered by the teen, parents, and the surgeon. Some of the important aspects that need to be discussed before undergoing teen rhinoplasty are mentioned below.

Age: The teen rhinoplasty and the traditional rhinoplasty procedure can only be performed on noses that have completed growing. Any nose that is still in the developmental stage is not eligible for the rhinoplasty procedure. This is because once the procedure is done, the results may change based on the growth pattern of the nose.
Parental Consent: Teens wishing to undergo the teen rhinoplasty procedure must have parental consent. Parents are often willing to let their teenage child undergo the procedure if it is causing self-confidence issues. A bumpy or misshapen nose can be quite concerning for a teen and they would not feel secure and confident in their body with that nose. However, teens should actively communicate with their parents about these issues and collectively decide if surgical correction is appropriate.
Informed decision: Any teen undergoing this procedure must make an informed decision to undergo this procedure. What this means is that the patient should be fully aware of the risks of the procedure and any complications that may arise as a result of the procedure.
Timing: Timing is yet another important aspect that needs to be discussed before choosing to undergo a teen rhinoplasty. Simply put, teen rhinoplasty has a recovery period of around six weeks. Teenagers often have academic commitments that would not allow them that time to recovery. Because of this, most surgeons prefer to operate on teens during the summer holidays. This way, the patient can relax and focus on their recovery without worrying about study.

Is nose surgery mentally and physically safe for teenagers?

Teenagers are not recommended to undergo the teen rhinoplasty procedure unless the shape and appearance of their noses are taking a significant toll on their mental health. Teens are already experiencing changes to their bodies that can make them insecure. A misshapen nose, on top of these changes, can be too much to handle for them and cause them to become secluded, aloof, and insecure.

In such cases, a teen rhinoplasty procedure is actually good for them and can even help them get over their body image issues. The decision should be a collective decision by parents, the teen, doctors, and surgeons. Treating their nose and improving their appearance can do wonders for the teen’s psyche. And if the nose has stopped growing, then it is also physically safe for teenagers to undergo the teen rhinoplasty procedure.

Medical References

Teenage Rhinoplasty – World Journal of Plastic Surgery

FAQs about a Teen Nose Job

Can a teenager get a rhinoplasty?

Teenagers may be eligible for nose procedures like rhinoplasty, provided their noses are fully grown, they have parental consent, and they are fully aware of the risks and complications that may arise during and after the procedure.

Can I get a rhinoplasty at 16?

Yes, many teens are able to undergo the teen rhinoplasty procedure at the age of 16 years. To be able to do so, you need to meet the eligibility criteria set forth by the surgeon. If you are able to do so, then you can also have a teen rhinoplasty at 16.

What age is best for a nose job?

A nose job is a serious procedure, the results of which will last you a lifetime. Any complications from this procedure, because you had the procedure quite young, while your nose was still growing, will also last a lifetime. The best age for the nose job procedure is after 18 years of age, as the nose will have stopped growing by then.

Can a 15-year-old have a rhinoplasty?

A 15-year-old is relatively young for a complex and serious procedure like a teen rhinoplasty procedure. Your nose is still growing and altering its shape at this age can potentially do more harm. If the nose continues to grow after the rhinoplasty procedure, which it most likely will, then the results of the procedure will be altered and may cause the nose to look even more misshapen.

However, if you have met the eligibility criteria and have received parental consent, then you may be able to have a rhinoplasty at the age of 15 years.

What happens if you get a nose job at 14?

Getting a nose job at the age of 14 is not recommended as your nose is still developing and there is a higher chance of risks and complications. Furthermore, your body is less likely to be able to tolerate a serious procedure like teen rhinoplasty. It is recommended to wait for the nose to stop growing before deciding to undergo teen or traditional rhinoplasty procedures.

Does a nose job last forever?

Yes, the nose job is a serious and permanent procedure. The results of the procedure can take up to a year to become fully visible. However, once the results are visible, they last a lifetime.

Is rhinoplasty painful?

The rhinoplasty procedure is performed under general or local anaesthesia and intravenous sedation. The procedure itself is not painful but there can be some discomfort, bruising, and pain during the first couple of weeks of the recovery period. The pain, however, can be managed using over-the-counter pain medications.

How long is recovery after a nose job?

The recovery period after a nose job is around six weeks, although you can resume your daily life by week three or four. If you work in a highly physical job, recovery may be longer.

Should you have a Teen Nose Job? – A Nose Surgery Guide for Teenagers & Parents