A teenage rhinoplasty may help many teenagers through a challenging time. The teenage years are often described as a difficult time, as changing bodies and raging hormones take their toll on everyday life. However, it is also a vital time in a young person’s life, a point where they decide what they are going to do and who they are going to be. It comes as no surprise that appearance plays an important role in a teen’s life, and thousands of teenagers are opting to have a nose job done in order to improve their looks.
Professional cosmetic surgeons have worked with many teens throughout the years. Expert facial plastic surgeons help teens discover what they are looking for in their facial appearance and work to provide them with the boost of self-confidence that they need to move forward.
Consultation with Teenage Rhinoplasty Experts
The first step for teens who are interested in this procedure is to book a free consultation appointment with an expert facial plastic surgeon. Patients who are under 18 years of age must have parental consent in order to have the procedure performed. Therefore, both the patient as well as the parents or guardians must be present for this first consultation. Professional plastic surgeons feel that open communication is the key to success, and all issues and concerns can be addressed by gathering all involved parties together.
Professional facial plastic surgeons do have several restrictions for the teenage rhinoplasty procedure. All minor patients who are under 18 years of age need written parental consent in order to have this procedure performed.
It is crucial that, in addition to parental consent, there are other age restrictions. Female patients cannot have a rhinoplasty done until they are least 15 years old. Male patients cannot have this procedure done until they are at least 17 years old. These minimum age requirements have been put in place because the nose is not fully formed until this point. The procedure cannot be done on a nose that is not fully developed because the results will be skewed. Structural and aesthetic issues can result from performing this surgery too early.
Special Care During the Recovery Period
While the nose may seem to be just a small part of a person’s face, that does not necessarily mean that the rhinoplasty recovery process is quick and easy. Prospective patients who are considering a nose job should recognize that any cosmetic procedure will need a recovery time, and it is vital to have a realistic understanding and expectation of the recovery process. An expert rhinoplasty surgeon recommends that patients spend between 7 and 10 days recovering from surgery.
Taking it easy, resting, and recovery are critical elements to the long-term success of any nose job. When a person truly allows their body to recover from surgery, they are able to achieve the best results possible from their procedure. Initially, patients should expect significant swelling and bruising to occur. They will not immediately see the results of the nose job, and this can be frustrating if patients are not prepared ahead of time.
Some patients will have more bruising and swelling than others; it just depends on what process needs to take place in order to achieve their individual results. For example, patients who have an osteotomy procedure done will have more bruising and swelling. The osteotomy is the process by which the surgeon breaks the nose in order to correct functional and structural issues. Patients who do not require an osteotomy during their nose job will not have as much swelling.
Tips to Help a Smooth Recovery
In order to help decrease the impact of swelling and bruising on the face, cosmetic surgeons recommend the following measures to patients who are considering a rhinoplasty:
- Avoid blood-thinning products for at least two weeks leading up to the surgery. These products include ibuprofen, aspirin, vitamin E, garlic pills, glucosamine, ginseng, and naproxen sodium.
- Take herbal supplements that are known to help reduce swelling and bruising. Examples of such supplements include papaya extract and Bromelain.
- Immediately following the procedure, apply cold compresses and ice packs to the face. These should be applied for at least 48 hours as they help patients with both managing their pain levels as well as reducing bruising and swelling.
As each patient is treated as an individual by professional cosmetic surgeons, each patient will receive customized post-operative instructions. It is important that these instructions are followed closely as they are the key to the overall success of the rhinoplasty procedure. Patients can expect most bruising and swelling to disappear within two weeks of having surgery.
If the age requirements have been met, the teenage years are an ideal time to have a rhinoplasty done. It not only gives teens a boost in self-confidence, but as a young and healthy person, they will recover much quicker. In addition, teens tend to get the best results from this surgery, and their recovery process is relatively easy.