Several years ago, expressing one’s intent to undergo a surgical procedure for cosmetic purposes would be considered a major faux pax. Eyebrows would be raised and judgment and comments about the person’s character (not the pleasant kind) would be passed around – all because they wanted to enhance their appearance. Nowadays, public opinion about cosmetic surgery and aesthetic procedures has changed. Instead of being ostracized, people who go under the proverbial knife are perceived as empowered and independent; that they are capable of making their own choices for their own bodies. A new term was even born out of this movement – it is now being called ‘self-care’. Getting a new hair color? It’s self-care. Treating yourself to a facial and a massage? Self-care. Undergoing liposuction? Also self-care. The self-care movement has changed the game, so much that rhinoplasty in Singapore has become more popular and more accessible at the same time. Read on to find out more about rhinoplasty – what is it, what age it should be done, and how to prepare for the procedure.
Rhinoplasty defined
Rhinoplasty holds the distinction of being the go-to procedure for people who are not satisfied about the shape or size of their nose. It can be used to straighten the nose bridge, reshape the tip, remove a hump, increase or decrease the nostrils’ size, or make the entire nose appear smaller or bigger. But through the years, rhinoplasty has evolved from being a solely cosmetic procedure into more versatile applications, such as fixing the nose after an injury, correcting a deviated septum, or opening breathing passages to help those who have breathing problems. In other words, getting a nose job is not limited to cosmetic purposes, but also for medical and practical reasons as well.
Plastic surgeons combine both scientific and artistic techniques to achieve the patient’s desired results, while keeping in mind the patient’s skin type and face architecture. The ultimate goal of a rhinoplasty is to provide safe, effective, and lasting results.
Best age for a rhinoplasty in Singapore
While there is no definite age required to undergo a rhinoplasty in Singapore, there are certain criteria that patients should fall within to be considered as ideal treatment candidates for the procedure.
Most patients who undergo rhinoplasty are between the ages of 18 and 40, but teenagers, young adults, middle-aged adults, and even the elderly can do so as well. Rhinoplasty is safe and effective for people who have achieved skeletal maturity, which means that there will no longer be any changes to the skeletal structure where the procedure will be applied. Each individual is built differently, but for those who want are undergoing rhinoplasty to improve their appearance rather than their health, it is best to wait until the nasal bone has reached full-maturity status – for girls, that age is 15 years and for boys, a year or two more is preferred. Children who are born with nasal deformities – a cleft lip, for example – can be exempted. A cleft lip is both a functional defect that causes nose asymmetry and the first procedure to correct this may be performed when a child is around three months old.
A lot of teenagers and young adults, on the other hand, are mostly interested in undergoing rhinoplasty in Singapore for cosmetic purposes. Most patients within this age bracket want to enhance the appearance of their nose or address imperfections that have resulted from their genetic make-up or from sustaining an (sports or non-sports related) injury during their early years. There are teenage patients who decide that they need a nose job before going to college and patients in their 20s who want to look their best for a major life event, such as a dream job interview or a wedding. Middle-aged and elderly patients also seek the procedure for a variety of reasons: there are individuals in their 30s who have always dreamed of undergoing the procedure but never had enough funds prior to that and patients in the 40s and above who believe that a rhinoplasty is going to rejuvenate their appearance.
Whatever the reason you might have for getting the procedure, an initial consultation with a surgeon can determine whether you are an eligible candidate for the procedure.
Preparing for a rhinoplasty
It is important to understand that each rhinoplasty procedure is unique – your surgeon will create and carry out a customized treatment plan that suits your anatomy and expectations. Prior to undergoing the procedure, you should see your surgeon to discuss your personal medical history and current physical health status. You should inform your surgeon about the medications that you are taking and if you have any history of nasal obstruction, past surgeries, and bleeding disorders so that they can determine whether the procedure is likely to work well for you.
The doctor will examine your facial features thoroughly – the inside and outside of your nose and your skin included – and a blood test may be required in some cases. Your nose will also be photographed from different angles. These photographs will be manipulated using a special computer software to show you the possible results from the procedure. And after the rhinoplasty, the photos will be used for the before-and-after comparisons.
Last but not the least, you and your surgeon should discuss your motivations, expectations, and goals during the preparation stage. They will explain what the procedure can and cannot do for you and what you should expect after it. It is perfectly normal to feel shy or embarrassed while discussing these things but remember that it is best to tell your surgeon about your desired results and goals for the surgery to prevent any misalignment or issues. If you have any questions, feel free to voice them out, even if you think that the question is too silly or the answer too obvious. You will want to clarify any doubts you may have with your surgeon instead of having regrets later!
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Nassim Plastic Surgery
1 Orchard Blvd
#11-02 Camden Medical Centre
Singapore 248649
https://nassimplasticsurgery.com
(65) 6517 9890
(65) 9267 7469