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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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.
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:
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.
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure and is associated with risks common to all surgeries like:
Please read and consider the potential complications and risks of surgery page.
However, other risks specific to rhinoplasty are:
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.
A good nose surgeon should have the following qualities and characteristics:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.