Teenage Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty in teenagers can be a controversial topic for a number of reasons, including societal understanding of aesthetic plastic surgery, the psychological maturity of teenage patients and physical development. However, rhinoplasty is the most common plastic surgery procedure performed on teenagers, ideally after the nose has reached adult size (age 15-16 for young women, 17-18 for young men).  However, patients as young as 13 or 14 can be candidates for the procedure depending upon circumstances and the judgment of their facial plastic surgeon and parents.

Rhinoplasty for teenagers may be conducted due to a medical condition or a cosmetic reason. If you have trouble breathing or have a nasal infection, rhinoplasty can help you breathe more easily and be healthier. Rhinoplasty can also increase your confidence by straightening out a crooked bridge, removing a hump, changing nostril size or correcting the nose after damage from sports or an accident.  Many teens have also expressed a desire to have a rhinoplasty procedure due to excessive bullying.  In the end, the reasons for a teenage rhinoplasty are a private matter between the child, their parents and the facial plastic surgeon agreeing to perform the procedure.

• The Difference Between Teenage Rhinoplasty and Adult Rhinoplasty
• Cost of Teenage Rhinoplasty
• Teenage Rhinoplasty Recovery
• Emotional Concerns About Teenage Rhinoplasty
• Scheduling a Consultation for Teenage Rhinoplasty

The Difference Between Teenage Rhinoplasty and Adult Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty for adults is not dramatically different than rhinoplasty for teenagers. If a teenager’s nose has not finished growing, rhinoplasty could affect the proper development of cartilage. If the cartilage is still developing, it will continue to grow after the surgery. Rhinoplasty can affect the continued growth, causing malformation, or the continued growth of the cartilage may negate the results of the rhinoplasty.  This makes the implications of choosing a rhinoplasty specialist who is a board certified facial plastic surgeon that much more important, as the margin is error is much wider with teenage rhinoplasty surgery procedures compared to their adult counterpart.

The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) recommends that girls wait until they are 13 to 15 to have a rhinoplasty procedure and boys wait until they are at least 15. However, rhinoplasty may be conducted earlier if physical dysfunction is present. The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) states that unless breathing is impaired, most patients become candidates for rhinoplasty closer to 15 or 16 years of age.

Cost of Teenage Rhinoplasty

The cost of rhinoplasty is approximately the same for teenagers and adults, but each patient is different and will be quoted a price during their consultation. While health insurance may pay for surgery if it alleviates physical symptoms or corrects function in a way that will improve a person’s health, insurance does not typically cover a completely cosmetic procedure.  There are, however, financing options available that can help offset some of the costs associated with surgery.   Learn what goes into the cost of a rhinoplasty surgery in our Rhinoplasty Procedure FAQ.

Teenage Rhinoplasty Recovery

Because younger tissue heals faster, teenagers may experience faster recovery rates than adults undergoing the same procedure. That means they can go back to school and continue their routine as soon as they feel comfortable and receive clearance from their surgeon, and join in on their regular social activities and daily life.  Most teens tend to have their surgery during the summer months, however, to avoid missing time from school during their rhinoplasty recovery.  This is often recommended, unless a pressing medical need for the surgery is present.

Emotional Concerns About Teenage Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is not an ideal option for every teenager. Teens and their parents should be aware that facial plastic surgery is just as invasive as any other surgery and carries some risks. Teenagers should understand the benefits and limitations of rhinoplasty before undergoing surgery. Cosmetic surgery may be deemed as a purely aesthetic procedure. However, it goes well beyond face value. The AAFPRS states that rhinoplasty can greatly improve the social functions of teenagers who have been bullied because of their appearance. However, teenagers must be emotionally mature enough to understand that their appearance is not necessarily responsible for the actions that befall them in life, and changing their appearance may not improve their quality of life.

Teenagers respond better to plastic surgery when they are the ones to initiate the request. If a boyfriend or a parent is pressuring a teenager to undergo plastic surgery, the patient may not be emotionally prepared for such a procedure. The teenager should also be mature enough to endure the temporary discomfort that goes along with surgery. Teenagers who have undergone treatment for mental illness or who have problems with addiction should not undergo a surgical procedure like rhinoplasty.

If you’re a teenager considering rhinoplasty surgery, or you’re a parent of a teenager who is seeking such a surgery, Dr. Hecht will sit down to speak with you both about such emotional implications of plastic surgery procedures before agreeing to do the procedure.

Scheduling a Consultation for Teenage Rhinoplasty

Support is important when it comes to teenage rhinoplasty. Dr. David Hecht, M.D. is a double board-certified Scottsdale facial plastic surgeon and father of two who understands the ramifications of teenage rhinoplasty. Dr. Hecht has trained under some of the most renowned facial plastic surgeons in the United States and has demonstrated his knowledge, skill and expertise over and over again, becoming Scottsdale’s revision rhinoplasty specialist. In addition to his expertise when it comes to the procedure, Dr. Hecht will perform a complete evaluation of each patient and explain the benefits and risks in easy-to-understand terms. Dr. Hecht will help you weigh the pros and cons of teenage rhinoplasty so you can determine if it’s the best option for you.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation for your teenage rhinoplasty procedure.