Rhinoplasty for Ageing Noses: Restoring a Youthful Appearance

One of the largest demographics looking for a nose job is those feeling the effects of ageing. But does rhinoplasty differ for an older demographic? What are the differences between getting a nose job at eighteen, for example, and at fifty? The team at Rival Cosmetic Surgery is here to cover everything you need to know about rhinoplasty recovery and surgery in relation to age.

Is there an ideal age to get rhinoplasty?

There’s no specific age that’s right for rhinoplasty. However, there are some parameters patients must fall within to be considered as treatment candidates. The majority of patients scheduling a rhinoplasty procedure range between the ages of eighteen and forty. While this is often considered the ideal age range, it doesn’t mean those over the age of forty or under the age of eighteen are disqualified from this surgery.

Elderly, middle-aged adults, young adults, and teenagers can all schedule a nose job to improve their noses and reach their aesthetic goals. Whether you qualify for the treatment comes down to your personal goals, current health situation, medical history, and desire to undergo a surgical procedure.

Does rhinoplasty age over time?

We hear this question often—if I get rhinoplasty when I’m young, will my nose change as I get older? In short, the answer is no. Rhinoplasty results hold up well over a lifetime. Once the swelling has subsided entirely (usually within a year after the procedure), your results should look the same for years to come.

However, no surgery can stop the ageing process completely. You may notice your nose experiencing slight, natural changes as you age. As you get older, the soft tissues and cartilage supporting your nose weaken over time. This can create small amounts of widening or dropping. Whether or not you have undergone rhinoplasty surgery shouldn’t affect how quickly these changes happen or how dramatic they are.

Factors that influence how rhinoplasty changes with age

There’s no way to know exactly how a patient’s nose will look after decades have passed. However, there are a few factors that influence the way your rhinoplasty may age:

• Genetics
• Trauma to the face
• Techniques used during your rhinoplasty
• Thickness of the skin on your nose

Choosing an experienced and revered plastic surgeon is the most important element of ensuring your rhinoplasty ages gracefully. Advanced surgical techniques will mitigate the risk of any negative effects as you endure the rhinoplasty recovery time and look into the future.

You can lessen the marks of ageing that affect your appearance—loss of elasticity and sagging skin—by making positive lifestyle choices. This includes limiting sun exposure and avoiding smoking. However, there’s no amount of lifestyle choices that can overcome a poorly performed initial procedure. Do an in-depth dive into Toronto rhinoplasty prior to scheduling an appointment.

The rhinoplasty recovery timeline

To achieve the most successful results from your rhinoplasty procedure, it’s important to understand the healing process. Rhinoplasty recovery has three main stages of healing.

Stage 1: Week one to two post-op

Bruising, swelling, and discomfort are normal in this stage of recovery. It’s vital you take proper care of yourself in these first few weeks to ensure optimal healing. It’s recommended you take this time off work and have help around the house.

During this stage, patients must sleep with their heads elevated, swap bandages, and avoid certain foods. Your rhinoplasty surgeon will give you detailed instructions for your post-op care.

Stage 2: Six to eight months post-op

After a couple of weeks of rest, your bandages can come off. After that, you can return to your normal routine. However, it’s recommended you avoid strenuous activity for a while. At the six to eight month marker, you can expect most of your swelling and bruising to have dissipated.

Stage 3: One year post-op

A year after your surgery, rhinoplasty recovery should be complete. Though you’ll have long returned to your daily routine, your swelling should now officially be gone. At this stage, you can see the final results of your new nose!

Can a rhinoplasty procedure make me look younger?

Most people don’t consider rhinoplasty an anti-ageing procedure. However, a popular UCLA study published in 2019 suggests that there are anti-ageing effects to a nose job, especially in women. The study used artificial intelligence that guessed female rhinoplasty patients were up to three years younger after surgery than they looked prior to treatment.

Why did this happen? Reshaping and lifting the nose typically makes it appear more highly situated on the face and gives an overall smaller appearance. These shifts offset the widening, drooping, and prominence of the nose that tends to develop during the ageing process.

While classic anti-ageing procedures, such as neck lifts, eyelid surgery, face lifts, and brow lifts, are the go-to treatments, it’s worth considering rhinoplasty to restore a youthful appearance.

Are rhinoplasties different for older and younger people?

Rhinoplasties are performed in essentially the same way for younger and older people. However, the focus of these surgeries tends to be different.

Rhinoplasty procedures for older people typically involve:

• Narrowing a bulbous tip
• Decreasing the size of the nose
• Lifting a drooping tip
• Correcting breathing issues caused by weakening cartilage

Rhinoplasty for younger people often involves:

• Correcting asymmetry
• Narrowing or straightening the nasal bridge
• Reducing nasal bumps
• Shortening a long nose

In each case, Dr. Rival prioritizes natural results that enhance your facial features.

Schedule a rhinoplasty consultation in Toronto

Regardless of age, if you’re serious about rhinoplasty, you should schedule a consultation to meet with a board-certified surgeon. Searching for the best facial plastic surgeon in Toronto can be challenging because plastic surgery is a competitive business that’s constantly evolving. With all the various cosmetic surgery practitioners in the Toronto and Newmarket areas, it’s important to carefully research surgeons before making your choice.

At Rival Cosmetic Surgery, we prioritize board certification as well as safety, comfort, and communication. If you’d like to meet with Dr. Rival, request a consultation online or call us toll-free at (866) 229-3223. He serves patients in his two conveniently located Toronto-area cosmetic surgery offices.