What is a Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, is a surgical procedure which addresses the shape, size, and position of the nose to address a range of functional and aesthetic concerns.

According to data from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), Rhinoplasty was the most popular surgical facial procedure among male and female patients in 2024. At Cadogan Clinic, one in five surgeries performed by our expert Consultant Surgeons is a Rhinoplasty.

Due to the versatility of Rhinoplasty surgery, with variations available, including Septorhinoplasty and Septoplasty, it is understandable why it is so sought-after. There are several reasons patients consider Rhinoplasty, and it is often a procedure that individuals have been thinking of for many years:

Patients may wish to address functional concerns such as breathing difficulties and sleep disorders
Previous injury or congenital concerns may impact the function and appearance of the nose
The natural shape or proportions of the nose are imbalanced with the rest of the face, and they wish to restore facial balance

Functional and aesthetic nose concerns can significantly impact a patient's confidence and overall quality of life. While breathing and sleep concerns may affect productivity and health, self-awareness about the appearance of the nose is a common issue for many people, causing self-consciousness in certain settings or even avoidance of specific activities.

When these concerns arise early in life, it is normal for individuals to seek a solution as soon as possible. However, it is important to understand how and why your surgeon may consider whether your age is suitable for Rhinoplasty surgery.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Rhinoplasty?

Age is one of several considerations your surgeon will make to determine whether you are suitable for Rhinoplasty. In the UK, the Rhinoplasty minimum age depends on why the surgery is being performed.

For all procedures (including Rhinoplasty) the legal age for cosmetic surgery is 18. It is illegal for any surgeon to perform a Rhinoplasty for purely aesthetic reasons, such as to change the size or shape, on a patient under 18. However, in cases where the nose is affected by concerns that are affecting its function, Rhinoplasty can be performed at a younger age to improve and protect health and well-being.

Cadogan Clinic has brought together a team of the UK's best Consultant Plastic and ENT Surgeons who perform Rhinoplasty to the highest standards.

Physical Maturity

For the best Rhinoplasty results, the nose must have stopped growing and be fully developed.

Typically, the nose reaches full development by 14-16 years old for girls and 15-17 years old for boys. However, delaying cosmetic Rhinoplasty surgery until 18 provides an extra assurance that the nose has fully matured, and is stable to operate on.

Emotional Maturity

In the UK, 18 is the age at which an individual is considered an adult and able to make decisions about their own body without parental permission.

Undergoing Cosmetic Surgery is a significant decision that is extremely positive and beneficial for the majority of people who seek these procedures. However, there are potential risks and repercussions, and it is essential to have the emotional maturity to understand the consequences.

Rhinoplasty for Medical Reasons in Younger Patients

There are several reasons that a patient under the age of 18 may require Rhinoplasty surgery:

Congenital Conditions

There are a number of congenital conditions which can affect the development and function of the nose from birth and throughout early life.

Congenital conditions are present from birth, and treatment and management will depend on their severity and impact on quality of life. Symptoms of some congenital conditions may have another cause, so it is important that your surgeon has a comprehensive understanding of your medical history so the true cause can be identified.

Cleft lip and palate
Deviated septum
Nasal cysts
Choanal atresia – a chronic obstruction at the back of the nose
Developmental deformities affecting the nasal structure and shape

Symptoms of some congenital conditions may have another cause, so it is important that your surgeon has a comprehensive understanding of your medical history so the true cause can be identified.

Breathing Difficulties

Breathing difficulties are among the most common reasons patients of any age consider Rhinoplasty surgery. Although breathing difficulties are not debilitating for many individuals, they can significantly impact comfort, health, and quality of life for others.

A range of concerns and conditions can be associated with breathing difficulties, which may be resolved with a Rhinoplasty for medical reasons:

Deviated septum
Enlarged turbinates
Nasal valve collapse
Sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea

Breathing concerns can occur for a number of reasons. While in some cases, such as an injury, the cause is obvious, in other cases, it may not be.

Injury

Nose injuries, such as a broken nose, are also common in young people, especially as they are more likely to regularly participate in sports such as rugby, where there is a higher risk of acquiring a contact injury.

A nose injury can shift the position of the nose, potentially affecting its stability and integrity. It can also result in concerns such as a deviated septum, which may cause additional functional concerns, such as breathing difficulties.

In some cases, young patients may receive initial broken nose treatment through the NHS and require further treatment once the nose's structure has healed.

Recurrent Infections

Certain nose concerns, such as enlarged turbinates and nasal obstruction, can lead to chronic or recurring infections such as sinusitis.

Repeated nasal infections may be uncomfortable and negatively affect the nose's function. Frequent treatment for infections, such as antibiotics, may also impact overall health and have unwanted side effects.

During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss any functional concerns you are experiencing, their impact on your life, and any previous treatments you have tried.

Rhinoplasty Age Requirement Guidelines

The General Medical Council’s guidance on the Rhinoplasty minimum age is that patients under the age of 18 should only undergo Rhinoplasty surgery if it is in their best interest. This means that the benefits of carrying out the procedure must notably outweigh the procedural risks or the risks of not performing the procedure at that time.

Whether you meet the Rhinoplasty age requirement in the UK will depend on your concerns and your surgeon’s assessment and discretion. Other criteria and policies that may need to be completed ahead of your teenage Rhinoplasty may include:

Your treatment plan may need to be approved and signed off by a second consultant for your safety and to ensure that your surgeon has assessed your concerns correctly
You may need to supply a letter from your GP or any other medical professional who has previously treated your nose concerns
Any patient under 18 years old must have written parental permission

What is the Best Age for Rhinoplasty?

While the legal age for nose job surgery in the UK to address cosmetic concerns is 18, adult patients of any age may consider Rhinoplasty.

Whereas some other Plastic Surgery procedures are best performed at a certain age or stage of life, there is no best age for Rhinoplasty. As long as a patient meets the relevant eligibility criteria, they can usually undergo the procedure.

Although for patients who are over 18 years old, age is unlikely to be a factor in determining whether they are suitable for Rhinoplasty, there are other factors your surgeon will consider:

Your concerns – It is crucial for your surgeon to understand your functional and aesthetic concerns to ensure a Rhinoplasty can address them successfully
Your desired outcomes – Your surgeon will discuss the results you are hoping to achieve to ensure you understand what Rhinoplasty can realistically achieve for you
Your medical history – As well as making sure you are fit and well for a general anaesthetic procedure, your surgeon will need to understand any underlying conditions and previous injuries. In some cases, they may ask you to wait a certain amount of time after an injury before undergoing your Rhinoplasty
Previous surgeries – If you have had a Rhinoplasty surgery previously, your surgeon will need to know what was involved and how long ago it was, so they can successfully carry out the secondary procedure

Alternatives to Teenage Rhinoplasty

If you are either unsuitable for teenage Rhinoplasty or wish to wait until you are 18 years old, there are steps you may be able to take to temporarily improve your nose concerns.

Non-Surgical Breathing Remedies

If you are considering Rhinoplasty for functional reasons such as breathing difficulties or sleep disorders, over-the-counter strategies and devices such as nasal valve dilators and breathing strips may relieve your symptoms while you are waiting for a Rhinoplasty for teenager surgery.

Cosmetic Alternatives to Rhinoplasty

If your primary nose concerns are cosmetic, you may opt to change the apparent size and shape of your nose using makeup, in particular, contouring and highlighting techniques. Although this technique can be highly effective for temporarily improving confidence, it is important to avoid becoming overly reliant on makeup (such as not feeling comfortable ever being seen without makeup) as this may result in or be a sign of body dysmorphia.

Alternatives to Rhinoplasty to Avoid

Self-consciousness about the appearance of the nose can often feel overwhelming, in particular for young people. The nose’s prominent position in the centre of the face exacerbates this and can be a serious cause of loss of confidence.

However, these insecurities may be played upon by disreputable companies offering support garments, exercise regimes, creams or supplements with the promise that they will change the appearance of your nose. It is crucial to acknowledge that these products cannot change the structure, shape or size of your nose, and ultimately will cause disappointment.

Words From Our Founder

Mr. Bryan Mayou

Although the criteria for teenage Rhinoplasty are stricter than for patients over the age of 18, it is essential to understand that these guidelines are put in place to ensure the safety of the patient and the optimal outcomes. Although waiting until the right time for Rhinoplasty may be frustrating, it is important not to be drawn in by ineffective alternatives and to take recommendations from a qualified Consultant ENT Surgeon.

Mr. Bryan Mayou

Frequently Asked Questions

How old do you have to be to get a nose job?

In the UK, the legal age for nose job surgery depends on the reasons the procedure is being carried out. For purely cosmetic cases, the legal age for nose job procedures is 18 years old, when a patient can legally make decisions about their own body without parental consent, and when the nose is fully developed.

However, the minimum age for Rhinoplasty for medical reasons is more flexible as the procedure is addressing concerns which may be treating and preventing functional concerns which could have wider implications on the patient's health if not performed in a timely manner.

What age can you get a nose job in Turkey?

Although the legal age for nose job surgery (and indeed the legal age for Cosmetic Surgery more widely) may be lower in other countries than it is in the UK, Cadogan Clinic strongly advises against travelling abroad to undergo Plastic Surgery, including Rhinoplasty.

While the promises made by clinics abroad may look appealing, patient safety is not always prioritised and aspects such as recovery and aftercare may be neglected. Although travelling abroad may seem like an achievable route to Rhinoplasty for teenager surgery, it isn’t worth the potential risks and repercussions which are then challenging or impossible to resolve once you have returned to the UK.

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