Regardless of age, culture or what walk of life you may come from, rhinoplasty is a highly desired facial plastic surgery procedure.
But is there such thing as being too young, or too old, for a nose job?
We take a look at the ideal age to get a nose job, as well as the differences in recovery and risks for rhinoplasty procedures at different ages.
The Ideal Age Range for Rhinoplasty Surgery
While there is no definite right age to have rhinoplasty, between 18 and 40 is considered an ideal range. By this time you have developed physically and in maturity to be a good candidate for rhinoplasty, and your skin still maintains youthful elasticity. This elasticity makes it easier to make changes and recover while also minimizing the risk of complications.
While this age range is ideal, people who are older or younger can still often be great candidates for this procedure. The plastic surgeon just needs to account for additional considerations.
How Young Can You Get a Nose Job?
The main limiting factor among youth considering nose jobs isn’t age, but rather ensuring the nose is at its full adult size. The best rhinoplasty results are found with a fully formed nose. Most surgeons are unwilling to work with a nose that is less than 90% of its adult growth.
Girls tend to develop a little faster than boys, so they can get a nose job younger than boys. As such, the typical recommendation is to wait until a girl is 15-16 years for rhinoplasty.
For boys, the typical recommendation is 17-18. The exact right age, regardless of gender, still varies from one individual to the next.
Nose formation is not the only consideration for youth rhinoplasty. It’s also important to consider the individual’s maturity. Are they emotionally equipped to deal with a significant cosmetic change?
Can You Be Too Old for Rhinoplasty?
Most rhinoplasty patients over the age of 40 have been thinking about getting the procedure for years.
Don’t worry, you haven’t waited too long.
There is no upper age limit for this procedure, but you should understand that the approach and results may be affected. One thing to consider is that the recovery time is generally longer for older patients. Incisions don’t heal as quickly, swelling is slower to drop, and skin doesn’t bounce back like it used to.
All of these above factors not only influence your recovery but your results as well. It’s important to seek a rhinoplasty surgeon with experience in working with aging skin.
As well, as we age the anesthesia risk elevates. Our bodies, medications, and conditions can, over time, expose us to more risks of anesthesia complications. For some, this may be the limiting factor preventing them from getting the surgery. For most, it just means taking extra precautions.
Get a Rhinoplasty Consultation in Toronto
Are you a good candidate for rhinoplasty? Meet with an experienced facial plastic surgeon to discuss your options.
Dr. Richard Rival’s rhinoplasty expertise is recognized locally and internationally with certification in both facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology. But don’t just take our word for it, explore Dr. Rivals before and after nose job gallery.
If you are ready to discuss rhinoplasty in Toronto, contact Dr. Rival today to book a consultation.