Can Minors Get Contouring Surgery?

Hello, this is Director Jo Hyun-woo of 입체성형외과.

During winter vacation and after the college entrance exam, there is one question that parents and students ask most often.

“Can high school students get contouring surgery?”

“If I have surgery now, will the result be prettier?”

Today, I will explain this question in detail from a specialist’s perspective so that both patients and parents can feel reassured.

When do facial bones stop growing?

Scammon growth curve of the maxilla and mandible

Facial bone growth ends later than overall body growth. In particular, the lower jaw (mandible) is the last facial bone to stop growing.

For males, it is usually around 17 to 19 years old, and for females, it is usually around 16 to 18 years old, so during the high school years, there is a high chance that the facial bones are still growing.

The average growth continues until around ages 16 to 19, and you can think of the lower jaw as the last bone to stop growing.

In textbooks, growth is said to end around ages 16 to 19, but in fact, for some individuals, growth may end even later.

Why is contouring surgery not recommended during high school?

Contouring surgery is an operation that deals with bone.

If surgery is performed while the growth plates are still open, the results may change as growth continues afterward.

It is best to avoid facial bone surgery as much as possible during the high school years.

In general, procedures like double eyelid surgery do not pose major issues if done during middle or high school because they only stimulate the skin. However, for procedures like nose surgery or breast surgery, it is better to wait until the nasal bones are fully grown in the case of nose surgery, and until the breast glandular tissue is fully mature in the case of breast surgery. If growth plate testing shows that height growth is complete, breast maturation can also be considered complete.

Are there still cases where it is possible?

Yes. Among the facial bones, the cheekbones generally finish growing relatively early.

So some students may undergo 230-degree three-dimensional cheekbone reduction in a limited way.

This patient is 20 years old this year.

Through 230-degree three-dimensional cheekbone reduction, the width of the face became narrower and the impression became more three-dimensional and softer.

As such, cheekbone surgery is exceptionally possible in some cases, but growth plate testing and consultation with a specialist are essential.

Please remember that this does not mean anyone can have it; it is only possible when the conditions are right.

When is the best time for contouring surgery?

In most cases, the safest time for surgery is after age 20, once one has become an adult.

At this stage, facial bone growth is nearly complete, so contouring surgeries such as square jaw, chin, and cheekbone surgery can be performed more stably.

Facial contouring surgery is not simply a procedure to become prettier; it is a surgery that must consider both safety and lifelong balance.

If you are considering contouring surgery, do not rush the timing. I recommend confirming the most appropriate time through consultation with a specialist and growth plate testing.

At our 입체성형외과, after carefully checking each individual’s growth status and bone structure, we propose personalized solutions so that we can provide the safest and most satisfying results. If contouring surgery is performed at the right time, you can achieve both functional stability and beautiful results.

I hope today’s post was helpful.

Thank you.