While no one has ever pinpointed a magic age where rhinoplasty is the most effective, many recent reports in the media have focused on teenage patients seeking nasal surgery. Whether it’s a bully driving them to it or just a serious desire for a better nose, these young patients are now driving rhinoplasty surgeries to the top of most requested procedures nationwide. Does this surge in young nasal surgeries indicate more than a trend? Are your teen years really the best for rhinoplasty?
Teenage Rhinoplasty: The Facts
Many experts believe the surge in high school bullying has driven the crisis level higher among teenagers with undesirable nasal features. From big noses to pointy noses, it seems that just about any type of nose can be criticized and even ridiculed on the high school field. The teens on the receiving end of this harsh treatment often turn to rhinoplasty as a way to silence these bullies for good. Whether it does the trick or not isn’t for sure, but many of these young patients achieve a new level of self-esteem from their satisfactory results. That itself could prevent future bullying attacks.
If you are a teen considering rhinoplasty, you should understand exactly what your facial plastic surgeon will be looking for during your initial consultation. It’s essential that your nose has reached full growth before surgery, since premature changes made to your nose aren’t guaranteed to stay that way when the nose continues to grow. Any patient of rhinoplasty, teens included, should be highly motivated to have the surgery for their own reasons. A facial plastic surgeon will also study your facial structure, your nose, and the proportions between the two in order to design the most effective changes to achieve your optimum results.
The “Right” Age for Rhinoplasty
Anti-aging procedures like a facelift are meant for patients at a certain age or higher; you don’t really see any 19 year olds complaining about sagging skin and wrinkles, after all. Rhinoplasty is a different type of surgery that can be performed regardless of age because it offers structural changes, not just changes that are a response to aging. For this reason, it makes sense that rhinoplasty patients would be younger on average, especially given how eager they are to achieve the right look during their youth. There is always an emotional adjustment period after rhinoplasty, however, so your facial plastic surgeon will be keen to determine your ability to handle surgery and recovery both physically and mentally.
For would-be patients beyond the teen years, rhinoplasty is still a completely viable option. Changes can be made to the nose at nearly any point in your life and for a wide range of reasons, from cosmetic to medical. Once you’re no longer considered too young or immature for surgery, a rhinoplasty is a very feasible option for you.
Teenage Rhinoplasty In the Long Run
Having surgery so young, many perspective teenage patients worry that the results won’t last into their adult years. The changes made during rhinoplasty surgery, however, are not subject to the effects of aging, as are many other facial surgeries. As long as your nose has fully grown at the time of your rhinoplasty, your results are meant to stay with you for your entire lifetime. You won’t grow back the hump you removed and your nose won’t suddenly get pointy again. You’ll be able to enjoy your results forever, no matter how old you are when you’re able to have your surgery.
To determine the best results for you, consult with a facial plastic surgeon who can offer visualization media during your meeting together. Technology such as the revolutionary VECTRA 3D imaging system can alter three dimensional photographs of you and project your expected results. This eliminates miscommunications between patient and surgeon and will help you to have a clear idea of what is expected after surgery.
Find the Right Rhinoplasty Surgeon to Get Started
To determine whether you are a good candidate for rhinoplasty, consult with a facial plastic surgeon who has experience with the procedure. Dr. Ran Y. Rubinstein has been practicing in the Hudson Valley for more than 14 years and specializes in facial plastic surgery, nasal, and sinus disorders. He uniquely combines his medical and surgical expertise to help patients feel better and look better. He holds dual board-certification from the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and is an Assistant Professor at New York Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.
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