Acne and prom dates, borrowing the car and social media…the teen years come packed with fears and insecurities. As a further complication, with adolescence comes facial changes. Sinuses grow, enlarging and changing the shape of the face and jaw; the nose changes shape and grows – and may become an additional thing to be self-conscious about.
The American Society of Plastic Surgery statistics indicate that the number of teenage patients receiving plastic surgery today is more than five times the number it was fifteen years ago. A “nose job,” or rhinoplasty, is the most common cosmetic surgical procedure during the teenage years.
Like any cosmetic surgery, nasal surgery is a very personal decision. It is one of the most demanding of all cosmetic surgery procedures, especially for teens, and timing is critical. Operating on the nose before its growth has stabilized may result in unwanted nasal changes and disruption of facial growth. The appropriate age for rhinoplasty surgery is governed by many variables. Patients should have reached both emotional and physical maturity before proceeding with rhinoplasty surgery. The optimum time is around age 16 for girls and after the age of 17 or 18 for boys. If there is a post-traumatic deformity or congenital defect that causes breathing problems, surgery may be done earlier.
Rhinoplasty is, for the most part, irreversible. Teens should be counseled to understand the significance of their decision. The nose is located in the center of the face; their appearance will be altered forever. These cautions aside, the majority of patients who undergo rhinoplasty as teenagers report high levels of satisfaction.
Dr. Dunkley looks forward to meeting with you if you are a teen or the parent of a teen who is considering rhinoplasty. Call to schedule a consultation, today: (801) 268-2650.