Rhinoplasty has become increasingly popular among teens and patients in their early 20s. A nose job, or rhinoplasty, is one of the most popular surgical procedures among men and women. Many teens and young people feel self-conscious and unhappy with the appearance of their nose. Rhinoplasty is the most common cosmetic procedure performed in this age group. Unlike some other cosmetic surgeries, rhinoplasty is permanent, and many parents and teens alike feel like they will get the most “mileage” with their rhinoplasty if performed at a younger age.
What is a teen rhinoplasty?
Teen rhinoplasty is similar to adult rhinoplasty in that it involves reshaping the bony and cartilage structure of the nose and can:
- Enhance Facial Balance: The most cosmetically appealing noses, are ones that do not draw attention to the face. The nose should ideally fade into the background of the face, highlighting other features such as the eyes and lips.
- Correct Breathing Problems: Breathing problems may be the result a deviated septum or other structural abnormalities of the nose.
- Repair an Injured Nose: Due to the fact that the nose protrudes from the face, the nose is one of the most common sites of injury from sports. Injury can lead to cosmetic deformities and breathing problems that are best addressed with surgery.
Goals
Dr. Rogal’s most important goal is achieving a natural result without evidence of surgery. During the consultation, you and your child will discuss the options and specific goals for the surgery with Dr. Rogal. It is crucial that everyone involved has common goals and realistic expectations for the surgery. Teens who understand that the surgery won’t change their lives, but will help build their self-confidence and enhance their natural beauty are good candidates for surgery. Teens should be self-motivated to undergo surgery, rather than relying on bullying or other external factors. They should be mature enough to understand the nature of surgery and the recovery that will follow. Teenagers are only candidates for rhinoplasty once they have undergone puberty. Typically girls are ready to undergo rhinoplasty at a younger age than boys. This cutoff allows for teens to be both physically and emotionally ready for a rhinoplasty.
Important things to know
- Special imaging software will be used during your initial consultation to help demonstrate what a realistic expectation of the nose will look like.
- While a rhinoplasty can be performed under sedation or general anesthesia, most younger patients and their parents opt for general anesthesia.
- In most cases, an open rhinoplasty will be performed, which involves a small incision in the collumella (skin between openings of nose). Using an open rhinoplasty approach, Dr. Rogal can best address all cosmetic and functional concerns.
- It is important to properly plan for the recovery experience following a rhinoplasty. In most cases, your teenager can return to normal, nonstrenuous activities one week after surgery, and should feel comfortable being in social settings approximately 2 weeks after surgery. Contact sports need to be avoided for approximately 6 weeks following surgery, so it is important to plan the surgery accordingly. Many patients elect to have surgery during summer or winter break.
When it comes to teen rhinoplasty, Dr. Rogal is committed to creating a natural looking nose that fits within the context of your teen’s other features. If you would like to learn more about teen rhinoplasty, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Rogal so that she can address your unique goals and concerns.
