What’s the Best Age for a Nose Job?

A rhinoplasty, or nose job, can be an ideal solution if you’re unhappy with the size, shape or angle of your nose. Improving the nose’s appearance and reshaping it so that it complements your other facial features can dramatically improve the whole face. Other cosmetic procedures, such as breast implants, have specific age limits for who can have the procedure, but what about rhinoplasty?

How Young Is Too Young?

Everyone knows that teenage years are tough, and they can be even harder when you’re self-conscious due to a physical trait. The nose is in the center of the face and plays a huge role in one’s appearance. A teenager can sometimes be a good candidate for a nose job if they meet certain criteria.

Emotional and Physical Maturity

Having cosmetic surgery is a big decision that will permanently change your appearance. For this reason, a person should be emotionally mature enough to handle that decision and the process of surgery as well as the recovery period. On the physical front, the nose is still growing and changing in the time before a person reaches full physical maturity, and operating on a nose before this time can disrupt facial growth and cause other complications. Choose a cosmetic surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty and discuss with them whether or not the timing is right for you or your teen.

Males and Females Are Not Created Equally

When it comes to physical maturity, teenage boys tend to mature more slowly than girls. For this reason, females as young as 15 to 17 years old may be ready for a nose job whereas a male may not be ready until 16 or even 18 years of age.