Rhinoplasty (Nose Job): Types, Cost, Recovery & Results Explained

A nose job rhinoplasty is surgery that reshapes the bone and cartilage of the nose to change its size, profile, tip or width, or to improve breathing. It is done through incisions inside the nose or a small cut under the tip. Swelling settles over months, and the final shape can take a year or more to show.

nose job rhinoplasty
Illustration: the nasal bones, tip cartilages and septum, the framework a rhinoplasty reshapes.
Quick facts What sources report
Anesthesia IV sedation or general anesthesia (ASPS, US)
Operating time and stay Typically a couple of hours, home the same day (University of Utah Health, US)
Surgeon fee, US $7,500 to $12,500, surgeon fee only (ASPS 2024)
Cost, UK £4,000 to £7,000, plus consultations and follow-up (NHS)
Splint Removed within the first week (ASPS, US)
Back to work or school Usually after about one week (ASPS, US)
Final shape Up to a year, sometimes two (ASPS, US)
Reoperation rate About 1.6% to 2.7% after primary surgery in a systematic review (2017)

What is rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is a rhinoplasty operation on the nasal framework that changes how the nose looks, how it works, or both, while keeping it in balance with the face.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US), rhinoplasty can change overall size, the width of the bridge, a hump or dip in the profile, a bulbous, drooping or upturned tip, wide or flared nostrils, and some asymmetry. It can also straighten a deviated septum, the wall between the nostrils, to help breathing.

The surgeon lifts the skin off the bone and cartilage, reshapes that framework, and lets the skin settle back over it. To reduce a large nose, bone or cartilage is removed. To build up a flat bridge or support a weak tip, cartilage grafts are added. ASPS notes that septal cartilage is the usual source, ear cartilage is used occasionally and rib cartilage rarely.

Because the skin has to shrink onto the new shape, skin thickness changes what’s possible. Thin skin shows fine detail. Thick skin hides it and holds swelling longer. 3D diagrams and animations can help you picture the steps, but they can’t predict how your own skin will settle.

At consultation, the first thing I look at is the skin over the tip and how the nose breathes. Those two details shape the plan more than any photo you bring.

Types of rhinoplasty: open, closed, revision, ultrasonic and non-surgical

Rhinoplasty types differ by access (open or closed), by tool (ultrasonic or traditional), by timing (primary or revision), or skip surgery entirely (filler).

Type How it works Points to know
Closed All incisions inside the nostrils No outside scar; less direct view of the tip
Open Small incision across the columella, the strip between the nostrils Full view of the tip cartilages; fine scar under the nose
Revision Second surgery to correct shape or breathing Often needs grafts from the ear or rib
Ultrasonic (piezo) Ultrasonic instruments shape bone instead of chisels and rasps Less early swelling and bruising in trials; long-term data limited
Non-surgical Filler injected to smooth a hump or lift the tip Temporary; rare but serious vascular risks; not an FDA-approved filler use

In a 2017 systematic review in the International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology covering 11,035 operations, reoperation rates were 2.73% after open and 1.56% after closed primary rhinoplasty, a difference that wasn’t statistically significant. The right approach depends on what needs changing. Our guides explain the open vs closed rhinoplasty scar, ultrasonic rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty and the non-surgical liquid nose job in detail.

Who is a good candidate for a nose job?

Good candidates have finished facial growth, are in good health, don’t smoke and want a realistic change that suits their face.

The ASPS (US) candidate page lists four criteria: facial growth is complete, physical health is good, you don’t smoke, and you have realistic goals. Nose jobs for women and men follow the same rules, though the target shape differs. Men often prefer a straighter, stronger bridge, which our male rhinoplasty guide covers.

Ethnic background matters too. Skin thickness, bridge height and tip support vary between groups, and most patients want to keep features that reflect their heritage. Our page on ethnic rhinoplasty explains how plans differ.

What I tell patients before surgery is that a nose that suits your face usually looks better than a nose copied from someone else’s. That’s why I talk through shape options, which you can explore in our article on nose job shapes and styles.

Rhinoplasty age: nose job at 13, rhinoplasty at 16 and over 60

Cosmetic rhinoplasty should wait until nasal growth ends, around 16 for girls and 17 for boys; there is no upper age limit for healthy adults.

A nose job at 13 is generally too early for cosmetic reasons. A study in the Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery (2008) found the nasal growth spurt ends at about 13 for girls and 15 for boys, and projected that 98% are fully grown by 15.8 years for girls and 16.9 for boys. The authors concluded that surgery can safely be done after 16 in girls and 17 in boys. Their data came from white adolescents only, so individual checks still matter.

For rhinoplasty at 16, the question is readiness as well as growth. A teenager should want the change for themselves, understand the recovery and have support at home. Surgery for breathing problems or injury follows different rules and is a separate medical decision.

Rhinoplasty over 60 is less common: people aged 55 to 69 had about 12% of US cosmetic rhinoplasties in 2024 (ASPS). Older skin is thinner and cartilage can be weaker or calcified, so surgeons often add support grafts and focus on a drooping tip or breathing. General health, medicines and blood pressure need careful review.

Nose job rhinoplasty cost

Nose job rhinoplasty cost in the US is $7,500 to $12,500 in surgeon fees (ASPS 2024), plus anesthesia, facility and other charges.

The 2023 ASPS average surgeon fee was $7,637, and the society now reports a range instead. ASPS (US) says the fee excludes anesthesia, operating facilities and related expenses, and that it varies with the surgeon’s experience, the technique and location. Revision surgery with rib cartilage usually costs more because it takes longer.

Insurance rarely pays for cosmetic changes. ASPS notes that surgery to improve breathing may count as reconstructive and be covered, even when combined with cosmetic work, if an exam confirms the cause and the insurer authorizes it in advance. For prices in other countries, see rhinoplasty abroad compared by country.

nose job rhinoplasty
Illustration: side view of the bony and cartilage bridge and the thicker skin at the tip, where swelling lasts longest.

Recovery at a glance

The splint comes off in about a week, most bruising fades in two weeks, half the swelling is gone by six weeks, and the tip refines for a year.

  1. Days 1 to 3: splint and tape on the nose, mouth breathing, some oozing for a day or two. Sleep on your back with your head raised (UCSF Health, US).
  2. Days 5 to 7: splint and stitches out. Most people return to work or school around one week (ASPS, US).
  3. Weeks 2 to 3: mild exercise can restart. Bruising should be gone by four to six weeks (UCSF Health, US).
  4. Week 6: about half the swelling has gone. Avoid strenuous exercise until at least this point (ASPS, US).
  5. Months 3 to 12: the tip slowly defines. Thick skin, grafts and open surgery can slow this down (ASPS, US).

For a detailed schedule, read the rhinoplasty recovery timeline. For taping, glasses and a recovery kit, see our rhinoplasty aftercare checklist.

Results by nose type

Results depend on the starting nose: a hump or crooked bridge changes clearly, while a bulbous tip under thick skin refines more slowly and subtly.

The rhinoplasty effect is relatively permanent, according to ASPS (US), though the nose keeps changing slowly with age. A dorsal hump can usually be lowered in a predictable way. A crooked nose often needs septal work as well as bone repositioning. A wide or bulbous tip may improve less than expected if the skin is thick. A small randomized trial in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery (2016) found that taping after surgery reduced swelling in thick-skinned noses but made no difference in thin skin.

Our guide to rhinoplasty by nose type covers each shape in detail, and nose job before and after results explains how to judge photos. Public interest in famous noses is high, and our article on celebrity nose jobs looks at what those comparisons can and can’t tell you.

Risks and choosing a surgeon

Rhinoplasty risks include breathing problems, infection, numbness, a rare septal hole and dissatisfaction that may need revision; surgeon choice lowers these risks.

The society’s safety page lists reactions to anesthesia, numbness or pain, trouble breathing, infection, poor healing or scarring, swelling and discoloration, a nose that doesn’t look as hoped, and a rare hole in the septum that may need surgery and may not be fixable. In the 2017 systematic review, revision surgery most often addressed the bridge (27.9%), the tip (22.5%) and the bony pyramid (20.1%).

How to choose a rhinoplasty doctor

  • Check specialist training and registration in their country, for example the General Medical Council specialist register in the UK.
  • Ask how many rhinoplasties and revisions they do, and see their own consented photos.
  • Make sure breathing is assessed, as well as appearance.
  • If you travel, plan follow-up. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, US) cites ASPS advice to wait 7 to 10 days before flying after nose surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Short answers on rhinoplasty recovery time, pain, permanence, the right age and finding nose jobs near me or abroad.

What is the nose job rhinoplasty recovery time?

Most people return to work or school after about a week, once the splint is off. Bruising usually fades within two weeks, about half the swelling is gone by six weeks, and the final shape can take a year or longer, especially at the tip.

Is a nose job permanent?

The structural change is relatively permanent, according to ASPS. Your nose still ages slowly along with the rest of your face. Avoid knocks to the nose for the first year, because the bones and cartilage remain delicate while they heal.

Can I get a nose job at 13?

Cosmetic rhinoplasty at 13 is generally too early because the nose is still growing. Research suggests waiting until about 16 for girls and 17 for boys. Surgery for injury or severe breathing problems is a separate decision made with a specialist and the family.

Is rhinoplasty over 60 safe?

It can be for healthy adults. Older skin is thinner and cartilage may be weaker, so surgeons often add support grafts and focus on a drooping tip or breathing. A full review of medicines, blood pressure and heart health comes first.

How do I find good nose jobs near me?

Look for a surgeon with specialist training in facial or plastic surgery, a large number of rhinoplasties and revisions, and consented photos of noses like yours. Ask how breathing is assessed and how follow-up works, especially if you’ll travel for surgery.

Guides in this series

Each guide below answers one rhinoplasty question in depth, from recovery and costs abroad to nose types, scars and non-surgical options.

If you’d like a surgeon to examine your nose, skin and breathing and talk through realistic options, you can book a rhinoplasty consultation with Metropole Clinic by ABmedi.

This article is for general education and does not replace a personal medical consultation.

References

Show sources
  1. Rhinoplasty (overview, procedure, candidates, safety, results, cost). American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
  2. What to expect from your rhinoplasty recovery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). 2022. plasticsurgery.org
  3. 2024 Cosmetic Procedures: Average Cost; Ages 55–69. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). 2025. plasticsurgery.org
  4. Crosara PFTB, et al. Rhinoplasty Complications and Reoperations: Systematic Review. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2017;21(1):97-101. scielo.br
  5. van der Heijden P, et al. Nasal Growth and Maturation Age in Adolescents. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008;134(12):1288-1293. research.rug.nl
  6. What to Expect from Rhinoplasty Recovery. UCSF Health, Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (US). Accessed 2026. ohns.ucsf.edu
  7. Rhinoplasty Recovery Timeline: What To Expect From Surgery To Final Results. University of Utah Health (US). Updated 2026. healthcare.utah.edu
  8. Ozucer B, et al. Effect of Postrhinoplasty Taping on Postoperative Edema and Nasal Draping: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2016;18(3):157-163. journals.sagepub.com
  9. Nose reshaping (rhinoplasty). National Health Service (NHS, UK). Reviewed 2023. nhs.uk
  10. Medical Tourism. CDC Yellow Book, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, US). 2025. cdc.gov