Rhinoplasty is an important medical and cosmetic procedure that reshapes the nose and improves its appearance. Millions of people choose to have their nose “fixed” with plastic surgery, but many are unaware of how rhinoplasties look and adjust to one’s facial features in the long run.
Do you know how well a nostril slip or cartilage hump lasts over time? Will a basic cosmetic job still look good in 30 years? In this article, we’ll explore exactly that – aging rhinoplasty challenges and techniques.
The goal is to provide a better understanding of what happens through the years after your initial operation. We’ll review some common problems related to aging and offer solutions on when (and whether) you should respond with touch-ups.
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What Can You Expect With Rhinoplasty As You Age?
A rhinoplasty changes the structure and shape of your nose, and the results will generally be permanent. As you age, however, there are a few things to consider. Your body and facial features will go through natural changes as it ages, some of which may impact your rhinoplasty.
Generally speaking, you can expect to see minor changes over time as your skin becomes thinner and moments in the nose heal and settle with age. This settling can cause some areas of your nose to appear slightly more defined or prouder than others. There is also a slight risk that there could be resorption of cartilage grafts over time – meaning they begin to deteriorate with age. Especially in cases where implants were used instead of natural cartilage from your body – these can gradually become displaced which could require further surgery down the line depending on what is causing the displacement.
Ultimately though, any signs of aging should be very subtle and shouldn’t affect the overall aesthetic or feel of your rhinoplasty. With proper care and upkeep, plus annual appointments with qualified rhinoplasty surgeons to monitor any shifts or shifts in placement over time, you should still find the same dramatic results years later!
What Factors Can Affect How My Rhinoplasty Changes With Age?
The reality is that aging will affect the appearance of your rhinoplasty over time. Depending on the skill of your board-certified facial plastic surgeon and many other factors, you may find that it still looks good 10 or 20 years from now. But there are a few things that can affect how much change occurs over time.
First and foremost, your skin quality plays an important role in how your rhinoplasty changes with age. As we get older, our skin becomes more lax, which could cause subtle changes in the shape of the tip and bridge of your nose. Sun damage can also accelerate the process. It’s essential to protect your skin from UV rays and care for it properly to slow down any facial aging-related changes after rhinoplasty.
It’s also essential to find a qualified and experienced surgeon who has sufficient experience in performing nose surgeries so that they understand exactly how aging will affect the procedure results over time. An experienced board-certified plastic surgeon should be able to explain what post-operative steps you need to take (such as physical therapy) in order to maintain optimal results for as long as possible.
Why Do We See People with ‘Failing’ Nose Jobs from Years Ago?
We often see people especially celebrities from years ago with nose jobs that seem to have “failed” – their noses look unnatural and deformed. This can be due in part to aging rhinoplasty, which is a type of cosmetic surgery that alters the shape of the nose over time.
When you first get a nose job, your skin is supple and will stretch and conform to the new shape as it heals. However, as you age, your skin loses its elasticity and begins to droop or sag, causing the nose job results to change from how they looked initially. The outer edges of your nostrils may flare outward slightly or take on an unnatural and over-contoured shape. Also, staples used in the original procedure may cause bumps in the bridge of the nose that become more pronounced over time.
It’s important to remember that these potential changes are normal aspects of aging rhinoplasty, but they can be minimized by consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon before going under the knife. Your surgeon will ensure your new nose looks natural and attractive for years to come!
How are Today’s Rhinoplasties Different?
Today’s rhinoplasties are far more advanced than the nose jobs of old. Modern advances in materials, techniques, and technology have made rhinoplasty surgery a much safer and more successful process.
The goal of today’s rhinoplasties is to create a harmonious facial balance by reshaping the size and profile of the nose according to the patient’s desired look. The surgeon will use computer imaging so that the patient can get an idea of how they’ll look after surgery. The end result is often a natural-looking nose that fits with the rest of their face, rather than one that looks as if it was “added on.”
So how do these modern rhinoplasties relate to aging well? Ultimately, today’s nose jobs help ensure that the results age better over time. With modern techniques and materials, noses last for years before beginning to show signs of needing maintenance or refinements. This means fewer touch-ups throughout your life. Additionally, modern techniques promote faster healing times—so you don’t have to worry about taking too much time off from work or things you enjoy doing due to lengthy recovery periods.
What can I do if I have a ‘Failing’ and Aging Nose Job?
If you have an aging nose job that’s failing, there are a few things you can do. First and foremost, you should talk to a professional plastic surgeon about getting a revision rhinoplasty. This type of surgical procedure will correct any issues created by the initial operation and help increase the effects of your surgery.
Your surgeon may recommend different techniques to improve your look. These might include additional cartilage or bone grafting, additional reshaping of the nose, or altering the structure of the tip in some way.
If need be, your surgeon might also recommend laser treatments or injectables such as hyaluronic acid fillers or radiofrequency micro-needling to restore volume levels in certain areas and reduce wrinkles and creases for a more youthful appearance. Your doctor can help advise you on what types of treatments would work best for you personally.
Can All Surgeons Do Reconstructive Rhinoplasty?
No, not all plastic surgeons are qualified to do reconstructive surgeries. Reconstructive rhinoplasty is a specialized type of plastic surgery that requires additional training and experience. Reconstructive rhinoplasty is used for more complicated cases. Usually, these involve the restoration of the nose structure which may have been caused by trauma or congenital defects (i.e., existing since birth).
Surgeons who perform reconstructive rhinoplasty must be highly skilled in facial anatomy, surgical techniques, skin grafts, and nasal cartilage manipulation. They must also be carefully trained in how to perform the procedure precisely so that the results look natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing. If your aging rhinoplasty requires reconstruction of the nose due to trauma or due to other genetic conditions it’s important you seek out a qualified surgeon with additional training in this area if possible!
