The Aging Rhinoplasty

When considering plastic surgery, particularly rhinoplasty, most people focus on the immediate results. However, it's equally important to think about the long-term outcomes. How does a rhinoplasty hold up over time? Does it "age" with the rest of your face? Rhinoplasty, in particular, requires careful consideration of its effects as we grow older. Surgery fundamentally alters the nose's structure, setting in motion changes that are inevitable as time passes.

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Because the nose is such a defining feature of the face, a rhinoplasty should be performed with long-term aesthetics in mind. Achieving results that remain attractive over time requires exceptional surgical expertise. While many surgeons can create a nose that looks appealing in the first year, designing a nose that retains its beauty and functionality for decades is far more complex. With his extensive experience across a variety of rhinoplasty techniques, Dr. Rahban has established himself as an authority on addressing the challenges of aging rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty is most commonly performed on individuals between the ages of 20 and 29. This means there are countless patients whose rhinoplasties will need to age gracefully for decades to come. Dr. Rahban highlights a common misconception: many believe that once the procedure is complete, their nose remains unchanged over time. In reality, this is far from the truth.

One key consideration is the structural impact of rhinoplasty. Many procedures, particularly "reductive" rhinoplasties, focus on making the nose smaller by removing bone or cartilage. While this approach may achieve immediate cosmetic goals, it often compromises the nose's structural integrity, leading to potential challenges as the years go by.

While reducing the size of the nose may create appealing short-term results, it can lead to structural issues as the years go by. Removing the nose’s underlying framework is akin to removing support beams from a building. A structure with fewer support beams is more likely to weaken or collapse over time, and the same principle applies to the nose. Without a strong foundation, an aging rhinoplasty may lose its shape and fail to maintain its structure.

So, how do Dr. Rahban’s rhinoplasties stand the test of time? Unlike traditional "reductive" nose jobs, Dr. Rahban focuses on "reconstructive" rhinoplasty. This approach ensures that while the nose may be refined or made smaller, its structural integrity is reinforced. By preserving and strengthening the nose’s framework, he delivers results that remain beautiful and durable for decades.

An aging rhinoplasty is an important consideration for anyone thinking about having a nose job. The initial results you get are only the first step. How your nose looks after years and decades is critical to your appearance and happiness with your rhinoplasty over time.

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What Changes Can You Expect in a Rhinoplasty Over Time?

It’s important to understand that rhinoplasty results evolve as time passes. Immediately after surgery, your nose will be swollen, and this swelling gradually subsides over the following months. As the swelling diminishes, scar tissue begins to form, marking the initial structural changes in your nose’s foundation.

The surgical process itself initiates the nose’s aging journey. While most people are prepared for the short-term healing process, fewer anticipate how their rhinoplasty might change 5 or 10 years down the line. Recognizing these potential long-term changes is crucial to making an informed decision about your procedure.

What Factors Can Affect How My Rhinoplasty Changes With Age?

There is no way to know for sure how one person’s nose will look after decades, or exactly how their rhinoplasty will age, but here are factors that can have an influence:

Techniques used during your rhinoplasty (this is of utmost importance)
Your genetics
Trauma to the face
Thickness of the skin on your nose

The number one decision you can make to have a positive experience with your rhinoplasty as it ages, is to choose a surgeon who has extensive experience using advanced surgical techniques which will mitigate the risks of negative effects of an aging rhinoplasty. Second of all, you can lower your risk of some elements of aging that can affect the appearance of your face - like sagging skin or loss of elasticity - by making good lifestyle choices. These include avoiding smoking and limiting sun exposure. Remember that no level of lifestyle choices can overcome a rhinoplasty that was not performed to last well over time. Your initial surgery will be the number one factor in how your nose job ages.

Why Do We See Celebrities With ‘Failing’ Nose Jobs from Years Ago?

Many of us have first-hand experience of what a ‘failing’ nose job looks like. We sometimes see these significant changes in the noses of celebrities who had their rhinoplasties done in their 20s, and are now in their 40s or 50s. Their noses look much different as their rhinoplasties have aged. Why did this happen?

Dr. Rahban explains that the reason goes back to the techniques used during their original surgery. Traditionally, rhinoplasty is “reductive” which means the surgeons use techniques that focus on making the nose smaller. Many of these celebrities likely had a reductive nose job.

Often times this is done by removing cartilage or bone. The benefit of this is it allows surgeons to create what our patients want. In many cases the request is for a nose that is smaller, ‘cuter’, or more feminine. However, reductive rhinoplasty can also cause an unwanted appearance over time. The problem is that when surgeons make the nose smaller by removing bone and cartilage, they are removing some of the structure of the nose. As a result, many of these people who had nose jobs early on, found that over time their nose was collapsing. These changes may take 10, 15, of 20 years to start showing - but in some cases we see signs of ‘collapsing’ as soon as 5 years after a strictly reductive rhinoplasty.

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When Dr. Rahban does a consultation with a prospective patient, he wants it to be two things above all others: thorough and honest. He will find out from you just what you want from cosmetic surgery. And he will tell you honestly if you can get the result you want, and how he can best help you do so.

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How are Today’s Rhinoplasties Different? And How Do These Rhinoplasties Relate to a Nose Job Aging Well?

Modern rhinoplasty, as performed by Dr. Rahban, focuses on reconstructive techniques rather than purely reductive ones. This approach allows him to achieve the same aesthetic goals—such as creating a smaller, more refined, or more feminine nose—while preserving and strengthening the nose's foundation. Unlike traditional reductive rhinoplasty, which can compromise structural integrity, reconstructive rhinoplasty ensures that the nose ages gracefully and retains its form over time.

Dr. Rahban uses cartilage, often sourced from the septum but sometimes from the ear or rib, to reinforce areas of the nose that may weaken with age. This reinforcement is not visible externally but plays a crucial role in maintaining both the appearance and strength of the nose as it matures. By prioritizing structural integrity alongside cosmetic improvements, Dr. Rahban’s techniques provide lasting results that go beyond immediate aesthetics.

With these advanced methods, aging rhinoplasty becomes less of a concern. Innovative reconstructive techniques ensure that the nose remains functional and beautiful for years, offering far better long-term outcomes than older, reductive approaches.

Why Don’t All Surgeons Do Reconstructive Rhinoplasty?

Reconstructive rhinoplasty offers longer-lasting and more stable results, but surprisingly, not all cosmetic and plastic surgeons utilize these advanced techniques. Many surgeons lack the expertise required for reconstructive rhinoplasty, which Dr. Rahban has mastered through extensive experience. Additionally, reconstructive rhinoplasty is a more intricate procedure, often taking 3–4 hours to complete and typically performed as an "open" surgery. In contrast, traditional rhinoplasty is often done in about an hour and frequently as a "closed" procedure, requiring less time and effort.

Dr. Rahban believes the additional time and care are essential for creating a nose that will maintain its appearance and integrity as it ages. When you examine celebrities who underwent older, reductive rhinoplasty techniques, you may notice common deformities developing over time due to a lack of structural reinforcement. Aware of these risks, Dr. Rahban employs techniques designed to strengthen and support the nasal structure rather than simply reducing it. This approach minimizes the risk of collapse or other issues as the years go by, ensuring both durability and beauty in the results.

If I Had a Rhinoplasty Many Years Ago, and am Now Seeing Some Negative Effects of Aging on my Nose Job, What can be Done?

Patients who had rhinoplasties when they were younger, and perhaps did not have a surgeon who used the advanced techniques Dr. Rahban offers, may be candidates for revisional rhinoplasty. Additionally, even patients who have their rhinoplasties done with excellent surgical technique may want revisional surgery as time goes on.

A revisional surgery is a re-operation on the nose. During this procedure it is possible to create a stronger foundation for the nose, and repair issues that have presented themselves over the years. In some cases, a non-surgical or liquid nose job may provide the patient with the improved results they are looking for.

Dr. Rahban offers both surgical and non-surgical procedures to patients with aging rhinoplasties. If you have questions about an aging rhinoplasty, or rhinoplasty results over time, please get in touch with us. We are happy to answer your questions or schedule a consultation with Dr. Rahban.