Teen Rhinoplasty

Conveniently located to serve the areas of New York, NY

Dr. Jennifer Levine Teen Rhinoplasty

Teen rhinoplasty, also known as adolescent nose surgery, is a transformative procedure that helps young individuals refine the shape of their nose while addressing any functional concerns.

If your teenager is struggling with insecurities about their nose or is suffering from breathing difficulties, a teen rhinoplasty could offer them a long-term solution. This procedure is different from adult rhinoplasty because it must account for the ongoing facial growth of adolescents.

If you are a parent of a teenager looking to explore cosmetic nose enhancement, it might be worth exploring whether they are eligible for a teen rhinoplasty with Dr. Jennifer Levine.

Dr. Levine is double-board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology with over 25 years of experience. She specializes in facial cosmetic procedures, during which she delivers highly tailored outcomes with a strong focus on safety, anatomical precision, and natural-looking improvements. Dr. Levine approaches teen rhinoplasty with careful planning, conservative technique, and a deep understanding of adolescent facial development.

If you or your teenager are looking to explore the transformative rhinoplasty procedures offered by Dr. Levine, contact Dr. Levine’s office online or give us a call at (212) 517-9400.

About Teen Rhinoplasty

A teen rhinoplasty can refine one’s nasal shape by reducing a dorsal hump, straightening a crooked nose, adjusting tip projection, or narrowing nostrils. (2) Teen rhinoplasty can also correct a deviated septum, collapsed nasal valves, or other structural problems. (3)

Because the face is still maturing during adolescence, Dr. Levine carefully assesses each patient’s features to determine whether they have stabilized enough to undergo surgery. In most cases, teenage rhinoplasty becomes an option once facial growth is nearly complete, typically around the ages of 15-19 for girls and 16-19 for boys.

Teen Rhinoplasty Approaches

Some of the common teen rhinoplasty techniques include:

Nasal Tip Refinement

A round or undefined nasal tip can result from thick skin or weak cartilage. When performing a nasal tip refinement, Dr. Levine utilizes advanced suturing techniques to reshape and define the nasal tip. For additional refinement, she may use grafts from the patient’s own cartilage, such as from the septum, to improve tip projection and symmetry.

Nasal Bridge Refinement (Dorsal Hump Reduction)

A prominent hump on the nasal bridge is a common concern. During a nasal bridge refinement, Dr. Levine will carefully reduce excess bone and cartilage to create a smoother, more harmonious profile.

Tip Projection Adjustment

For patients who could benefit from more projection in the nasal tip, Dr. Levine can use cartilage grafts from the septum, ear, or rib for enhancements. This technique can balance the overall proportions of the face and ensure natural-looking results.

Nasal Width Reduction

A wide nasal base or flared nostrils can draw attention away from other facial features. For teenagers who desire a more defined nose, Dr. Levine can carefully narrow the nasal width, creating a more proportional and balanced appearance.

Septoplasty and Functional Corrections

For teens experiencing breathing difficulties due to structural issues within the nose, Dr. Levine can perform a functional rhinoplasty. By addressing a deviated septum and/or other structural concerns, this procedure improves airflow and provides the nose with a more stable structure.

Revision Rhinoplasty

For teens who have undergone previous nose surgery but are dissatisfied with the results or are experiencing complications, Dr. Levine offers revision rhinoplasty. This procedure corrects functional or aesthetic issues resulting from prior surgeries, restoring comfort and confidence.

Benefits

Teen rhinoplasty can offer functional and aesthetic benefits for teenage patients when performed at the right stage of facial development. Some of the commonly reported benefits associated with teenage rhinoplasty procedures include:

  • Improved facial harmony: Refines nasal shape to better align with facial features
  • Better breathing function: When necessary, teen rhinoplasty corrects structural issues such as a deviated septum
  • Correction of asymmetry: Addresses crookedness or irregularities from injury or other factors
  • Long-term results: Offers permanent improvements that continue to look natural as the face matures
  • Improved self-esteem: May reduce self-consciousness and improve confidence
  • Customized treatment approach: Tailored to the teen’s unique facial anatomy and stage of growth
  • Single recovery period: When needed, functional and cosmetic concerns can be addressed in one procedure

If you or your teenager is interested in exploring the potential benefits of rhinoplasty procedures, contact Dr. Levine’s office online or by calling (212) 517-9400 to schedule a personal consultation.

Ideal Candidates

Ideal candidates for this treatment often include teenagers who:

  • Are typically at least 15 years old (girls) or 16 years old (boys) with sufficient facial growth
  • Have cosmetic concerns about nasal size, shape, or symmetry
  • Experience breathing difficulties due to structural nasal issues
  • Are in good overall health
  • Have a stable and realistic understanding of the potential outcomes

Dr. Levine will establish whether or not the patient is eligible for a rhinoplasty during a personal consultation at her office.

Personal Consultation

Dr. Levine takes a personalized approach to each patient in order to tailor each procedure to help them reach their goals. This is especially important for teenagers because their facial structure is often still developing. As such, the first step in pursuing a teen rhinoplasty is scheduling a personal consultation with Dr. Levine, where she will review the patient’s facial anatomy, medical history, and overall goals before determining whether or not a rhinoplasty is right for them. This consultation is a great opportunity to ask any questions or raise any concerns the patient may have.

You can schedule this consultation with Dr. Levine by contacting her office online or calling (212) 517-9400.

Preparation

Dr. Levine will provide detailed preoperative instructions to help patients and their families prepare for the procedure. We recommend planning the procedure during a school break, which will allow the patient ample time to rest and heal.

A trusted parent or responsible adult should be designated to provide transportation and at-home care for the patient.

Procedure

Rhinoplasty procedures are performed with the patient under anesthesia, typically general anesthesia, to ensure patient comfort. Dr. Levine can perform either an open or closed rhinoplasty depending on the extent of the adjustments needed. In an open rhinoplasty, Dr. Levine will make incisions both inside the nostrils and on the columella—the strip of tissue that separates the nostrils. A closed rhinoplasty involves only internal incisions hidden within the nostrils, making it better suited for less extensive adjustments.

Most teen rhinoplasty procedures can be performed in 1.5-3 hours, depending on the extent of the procedure.

Recovery

Following a rhinoplasty, most teens can return to school and other non-strenuous activities within 1-2 weeks, but full recovery will take several months. Teen patients will require the assistance of a trusted parent or guardian during their recovery. Dr. Levine will provide both the parent and patient with detailed recovery guidelines and will be available to address any questions or concerns throughout the entire recovery process. In order to monitor progress and ensure each patient is on the path to achieving the best results, our team will help schedule in-person follow-up appointments in the following weeks and months.

Results

Dr. Levine’s approach to rhinoplasty procedures for teenagers prioritizes proportion and subtle enhancement over aggressive reshaping, ensuring that the nose matures naturally with the rest of the face. Patients who experienced functional issues before their procedure can notice improved breathing after Dr. Levine corrects the internal obstructions. Emotionally, many patients report increased confidence and reduced anxiety related to the appearance of their nose, though Dr. Levine emphasizes the importance of undergoing surgery for oneself rather than because of external pressures.

Corresponding and Combination Procedures

Rhinoplasty procedures are just one of the many facial procedures Dr. Levine offers. Many teenagers who visit Dr. Levine’s office consider treatments such as the following:

Otoplasty

Many teenagers undergo an otoplasty, or ear reshaping surgery, in order to address large or protruding ears. Otoplasty procedures reshape, resize, or modify the ears to achieve a more aesthetically balanced look.

Chin Augmentation

Teenage patients may also consider chin augmentation. This procedure utilizes a biocompatible chin implant to help improve chin projection and definition. Like teen rhinoplasty, it is important that patients features have developed sufficiently enough for surgery.

Dr. Levine is happy to help patients and parents explore the variety of treatments she and her staff offer.

Cost of Teen Rhinoplasty in New York City

Dr. Levine will give the patient a detailed estimate of the total cost of their rhinoplasty once the specific details of the treatment have been established during a personal consultation. The price of each treatment is subject to vary depending on the techniques Dr. Levine uses and whether or not she performs any additional treatments.

FAQ

What is the right age to consider rhinoplasty for teens?

Rhinoplasty can be considered once facial growth is nearly complete, usually at age 15 or older for girls and 16 or older for boys. Dr. Levine will evaluate the skeletal maturity of each patient before approving surgery.

Is rhinoplasty safe for teenagers?

When performed by an experienced, double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Levine, teen rhinoplasty is considered safe for eligible candidates.

How long does the surgery take?

The procedure generally takes 1.5-3 hours, depending on the complexity and whether additional procedures are performed at the same time.

Will the nose continue to change after rhinoplasty?

While rhinoplasty results are long-lasting, subtle changes may occur as the face continues to mature. Dr. Levine’s approach is designed to support these changes and encourage natural development.

References

  1. Abdoljalil Kalantar-Hormozi, Roozbeh Ravar, Abbaszadeh-Kasbi A, Nazanin Rita Davai. Teenage Rhinoplasty. World Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2018;7(1):97. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5890372/
  2. Fichman M, Piedra Buena IT. Rhinoplasty. PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558970/
  3. Altidor A, Ferri FA, Fadi Bakhos, Mascaro-Pankova A. Functional Rhinoplasty. Cureus. Published online September 26, 2023. doi:https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.45993