AESTHETIC NEWS
Roughly 220,000 rhinoplasties are performed each year in the U.S. They’re primarily performed on adults who are fully aware of the potential risks and who have reasonable expectations for the outcome. However, there has been increased interest among teenagers in plastic surgeries in general– and rhinoplasties in particular.
Being a teenager isn’t automatically grounds for disqualifying a person from pursuing a rhinoplasty. Yet, a great deal of caution is advised. Many teens are under significant peer pressure via TikTok and other social media platforms. Therefore, it’s critically important for parents and surgeons alike to ensure that these young prospective patients are good candidates for the surgery.
Automatically agreeing to a teen’s request for rhinoplasty isn’t advisable. Parents should closely question their children about their motivation for wanting a nose job. In many cases, the desire for it stems from the pressures of social media.
In particular, TikTok has created #nosejobcheck. Videos with this hashtag will see images of teens– before and after their surgery. Currently, this one hashtag alone has more than one billion views on the social media platform. Similarly, the hashtag #plasticsurgery has more than 3.8 billion views, and #nosejob has more than 1.6 billion views.
These videos target young, impressionable viewers and instill them with the idea that plastic surgery is a quick, easy way to be popular. The social media giant has claimed to have banned cosmetic surgery advertisements, yet advertisers have found significant loopholes.
In fact, the magazine Insider created a TikTok account to test the ban on plastic surgery advertising. The fake account was established with a user age of 14. It only took eight minutes before the first advertisement for plastic surgery appeared. This is troubling to responsible plastic surgeons and parents. Exposing young viewers to these advertisements can encourage them to desire rhinoplasties for the wrong reasons– to fit in and be more popular.
While there are many wrong reasons to pursue a rhinoplasty as a teen, there are also right reasons. Teens with a nose that is asymmetrical or out of proportion with the rest of the face may suffer from extreme self-esteem issues. For them, a rhinoplasty can restore self-confidence.
In addition, a rhinoplasty may be pursued for medical reasons. For instance, a deviated septum can result in breathing difficulties. Teens who have a medical reason for getting a nose job can be good candidates for the procedure.
If you’re a teen who is considering getting a rhinoplasty, you should have in-depth conversations with your family. You and your family should also choose an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who will help you make the best decision.
It’s also crucial to bear in mind that the videos associated with the hashtag #nosejobcheck make it seem like a rhinoplasty is a simple procedure with a short recovery time and quick results. Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s among the most complicated of all plastic surgeries, the recovery can be prolonged, and your final results won’t be visible for about a year. In short, take your time making an informed decision.
Choosing the right plastic surgeon is one of the most important considerations when thinking about a teen rhinoplasty. In New York City, patients turn to Dr. Thomas Loeb—a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in performing teen rhinoplasties. Dr. Loeb follows a rigorous vetting process when working with young patients, thoroughly educating them and their families and ensuring that they are good candidates for the procedure. Call today to request a consultation at Dr. Loeb’s Manhattan office.
Additional resources on rhinoplasties
