The nose is the dominant feature of our face. It largely determines the character of our face. The size and shape of the nose, as well as the symmetry and size of the nostrils, are all factors that affect the face's aesthetic integrity. An ideally standard-looking nose that is incompatible with your face can disrupt its overall appearance, whereas a nose that you would never choose for yourself can achieve perfect harmony with the other features of your face. Therefore, the most important thing is to have a nose that is compatible with your face and allows you to breathe healthily.
The most common mistake today is wanting the shape or size of someone else's nose on your face. The ideal nose structure and size for you should complement the unique character of your face. Otherwise, the result will most likely not satisfy you.
Your age is also important because your facial features need to have settled. If your nose and face are still developing, you will need to wait until you are ready for rhinoplasty.
Understanding Rhinoplasty Age Limits
The main reason for setting an age limit for rhinoplasty surgery is to ensure that the patient has completed their growth and development. Although rhinoplasty may seem like an aesthetic procedure, its purpose is actually to enable the patient to breathe healthily and create a nose silhouette that harmonises with their face. However, when someone still under development undergoes this procedure, the anatomical features used as a reference continue to develop afterwards. Consequently, over time, the procedure may no longer meet the patient's functional or aesthetic needs. For this reason, it is necessary for patients to have completed their development and for their features to have stabilised. Furthermore, patients are expected to have the maturity and realism of an adult when making demands and requests. In other words, rhinoplasty should be requested by an adult.
There is no upper age limit for rhinoplasty surgery. However, the patient must be in good enough health to undergo the procedure. The patient must be healthy enough to undergo general anaesthesia. In order for the healing process to be successful, the skin must also have a certain level of elasticity.
Choosing the right time for rhinoplasty
There are many factors that determine whether the timing of rhinoplasty surgery is appropriate. The first of these is age. Patients aged 19–35 are the most suitable candidates for this procedure. For patients over the age of 35, however, this operation is not inappropriate. However, younger age is important in terms of skin elasticity and rapid healing.
Another criterion is that the patient is psychologically ready for the procedure. A temporary desire may lead to regret in the future. This is because the results of rhinoplasty surgery are permanent. It is important that a person's desires are realistic and that they make the decision without being under any influence. Hot summer days or spring months, when allergens are high, may not be suitable times for the operation.
How old do you have to be to get a rhinoplasty (Nose job)?
For rhinoplasty surgery, it is expected that women will be aged 16–17 and men 17–18. However, regardless of age, it is necessary for people to have finished growing. Otherwise, the condition of the facial and nasal bones may change during the developmental period, meaning the operation may fail to meet functional and aesthetic needs.
What is the best age for a nose job?
The ideal age for rhinoplasty surgery is 18 for women and 19 for men. However, the main determining factors are having completed bone and cartilage development, reaching a certain level of maturity with realistic expectations and desires, and maintaining good general health and skin elasticity. Any patient who meets these criteria may be suitable for the procedure.
What is the youngest age at which you can get a nose job?
On average, women complete their physical development by the age of 18, while men complete it by the age of 19. The bone and cartilage development required for rhinoplasty is usually complete by these ages. However, your specialist doctor should still assess your bone development. This is because the age at which this development is complete can vary depending on a person's genetic and environmental conditions.
What is the recommended age for rhinoplasty?
The ideal age for rhinoplasty surgery is between 19 and 40 years old. The lower limit is determined by the completeness of facial bone and cartilage development, while the upper limit is determined by skin elasticity. While rhinoplasty surgery can be successful for people over the age of 40, the healing process may take a little longer.
Medical Exceptions for Nose Job
For rhinoplasty surgery, it is expected that individuals have reached skeletal maturity. Although patients are generally expected to be over 19 years old for this surgery, the procedure can sometimes be performed regardless of age.
- In cases involving congenital anomalies, the age limit may not be considered. Rhinoplasty surgery can be performed regardless of age in cases of deformities in the nose due to cleft lip, shape abnormalities that prevent healthy breathing, or disorders that negatively affect the development of the nasal bone and cartilage.
- If significant deformities have occurred due to physical trauma in someone who has not reached full maturity, rhinoplasty surgery can be performed without waiting for maturity to be reached.
- If there is a deviation in the midline of the nose or structural obstructions inside the nose that prevent breathing, surgery can also be performed during development.
- Chronic sinus infection can also necessitate earlier surgery.
Do nose jobs leave scars?
No scarring is expected following open or closed rhinoplasty surgeries. During closed rhinoplasty, incisions are made inside the nostrils. This means there are no visible incisions on the face. In open rhinoplasty, fine incisions are made on the bridge of the nose between the nostrils. Once healed, the incisions adapt to the skin's colour to the extent that they are barely noticeable. However, the surgeon’s experience and skill are important at this stage. A specialist and experienced surgeon will ensure that the incisions do not leave scars after healing. In addition, whether or not scars remain depends on the patient’s compliance with postoperative care recommendations.
Can rhinoplasty provide a life-changing boost in confidence?
If rhinoplasty is performed as a result of a realistic and mature decision by the patient and the surgeon can meet their expectations, the results will boost their self-confidence. However, it should not be forgotten that self-confidence does not depend solely on aesthetic procedures. It is important to accept and embrace yourself as you are. The effort you make to become a better version of yourself will take you to more positive places.
Since your nose is the dominant feature on your face, having a nose that is proportionate and shaped to suit your face will have a positive effect on your appearance, which will make you feel good.
If you have a condition that prevents you from breathing properly, this operation can address that issue and help you breathe more easily. Breathing healthily will boost your energy levels and make you feel more positive.
Is there any pressure on young people for rhinoplasty?
Today, the intense presence of social media in our lives, coupled with the long-standing imposition of standardised beauty ideals, creates pressure, particularly among young people who have not yet developed a mature personal perspective. In addition to the unique glow of celebrities who are constantly in the public eye, their flawless appearances create the feeling in us that we should be the same. However, peace and happiness are not found in perfection but in accepting ourselves despite our imperfections. It is only when we accept ourselves that the effort we put in, and if necessary, receiving surgical support, makes us feel good and creates satisfying results.
Risks and Considerations for young patients undergoing rhinoplasty
The first thing young people should consider is ensuring that their physical development is complete. Another risk may be related to why the rhinoplasty procedure is being requested. It is beneficial to ensure that the decision to undergo surgery is not influenced by environmental factors or social media. Are you having this operation for realistic and concrete reasons, or because of the influence of your environment or imposed perceptions of beauty? The answer to this question could lead to long-lasting satisfaction.
Young people may have a weaker sense of responsibility. It is important to follow the doctor's recommendations after surgery. Young people should ensure that they can follow these instructions fully.
Can you get a nose job at 16?
The age of 16 may represent completion of development. However, the most accurate decision on this should be made by a specialist doctor. If there is no medical necessity, it is beneficial to wait another two years before undergoing this operation. The age of 16 is also quite early in terms of aesthetic understanding and life perspective. For these reasons, it is much more appropriate for individuals to wait until they are somewhat more mature.
Will my nose continue to grow after rhinoplasty?
If your cartilage and bone development is complete when you have rhinoplasty surgery, the results will be permanent, and the shape of your nose will not change after you have recovered. However, if the operation is performed before development is complete, the nose will continue to develop, meaning the results will not be permanent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the age limit different for girls and boys?
After puberty, girls' bone and cartilage development is completed earlier than boys'. Therefore, the recommended age for rhinoplasty is younger for girls.
How can it be determined if young people are psychologically ready for surgery?
To determine whether young individuals are psychologically ready, it is helpful to observe whether they have a mature self-perception, whether their demands are realistic, and whether they are aware of the difference between themselves and popular culture.
How long does it take for young people to return to school or work after surgery?
Young patients can return to light activities one week after rhinoplasty surgery and can resume their normal daily routine within 10 days. After 1–1.5 months, they can resume heavier activities such as sports.
Please contact Op. Dr. Ümit Küçüktepe for an examination and further information.
This article is for informational and advisory purposes. The recommendations of your surgeon, who will examine you and perform nose surgery, should be a priority.