While many younger patients commonly seek Rhinoplasty surgery, this procedure is not limited to this age group. Quite often in fact, a more mature patient may be looking to correct an issue that has bothered them for many years or to restore and their nose as due to changes as a result of gravity and the effects aging has had on the tissues. From birth, the nose, as well as other parts of the body, are subject to the forces of gravity. As individuals age, these forces may eventually lead to the development of drooping and sagging at the tip of the nose.
Cosmetic Rhinoplasty surgery, commonly referred to as a “nose job” is a highly specialized cosmetic procedure to be performed by a licensed surgeon trained in the specialties of ENT or facial plastic surgery and plastic surgery. You will likely hear your surgeon use the term “rhinoplasty” when referencing this reconstruction surgery. Rhinoplasty is a surgery performed on the nose to aesthetically enhance its shape and appearance. Aside from its use for cosmetic purposes, the surgery is greatly beneficial to individuals with a history of facial traumas or degeneration of the nasal cartilage (substance abuse, cancer, congenital). It is also indicated for individuals with difficulty breathing due to the misalignment of the cartilage at the center of the nose.
Demographics
Typically, the patients who request rhinoplasty tend to be young or middle-aged professionals seeking aesthetic improvements to their facial proportion, as well as those who want to address breathing difficulties they may be experiencing through their nose . Though it is not a commonly requested surgery by mature patients, Dr. Philip Solomon has 20 years of experience performing this procedure in geriatric patients. He is well known throughout Canada for his cosmetic surgery practice and his position as a teaching staff at the University of Toronto Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Division of Facial Plastic Surgery.
Rhinoplasty Surgery For The Young
Though rhinoplasty is more common among the younger population, it is rare for this age group to develop drooping of the nasal tip in what is known as a “tension nose”. The underlying mechanism causing the drooping is different from the elderly demographics.
As age increases and the effects of gravity accumulate, the elderly demographic present with an increasing representation of the population affected by a sagging nasal tip. Correcting the position and shape of the tip to produce facial symmetry can result in improvements to their physical appearance. The lifting of the nasal tip can give them an increased impression of youthfulness as well as improve their self-esteem. However, care must be taken to avoid over correction to maintain a natural and uniform look to the face.
Since the mature patient has already lived a significant portion of their life with their nose, most mature patients will not be interested in a rhinoplasty as a means to drastically change their appearance or facial feature balance. Patient safety is always first priority therefore a patient’s overall health, any medical issues, medications and other concerns that could impact their healing are all to be considered prior to surgery.. Precautions are taken during surgery due to age related thickening of the skin, reduced elasticity and reduced underlying structural support. These structural changes may increase the duration of time required to achieve the anticipated results of the surgery.
Latest Developments
Advancements in cosmetic technology have now allowed us to introduce a less-invasive, non-surgical option for rhinoplasty to the list of available options. This technique involves the injection of dermal fillers above and below the nasal hump. This is often a good option for a mature rhinoplasty due to the reduced risk for post-surgical complications and the subtle nature of the result.
At the Solomon Nasal and Facial Plastic Surgery Centre, our goal is to make our patients feel better about their appearance. Individuals undergoing our mature rhinoplasty with realistic expectations are extremely pleased with their results. To assist our clients, we provide thorough consultations and discussions to ensure your concerns and goals are shared and your best options are considered.
Sep 19th 2017