Does Aging Change the Size of Your Nose?

It’s a common belief that your nose keeps growing as you age and like many body myths, there’s some truth to it, but also a lot of misunderstanding. While your nose doesn't technically continue growing forever, it does change shape and appearance over time, which can make it look like it's still growing.

Let’s break down what really happens to your nose as you age, why it seems to change, and what you can do about it.

When Does the Nose Actually Stop Growing?

Your nose grows along with the rest of your body during childhood and adolescence. On average:

• Girls’ noses usually stop growing by around age 12

• Boys’ noses typically stop growing around age 14

Some studies suggest subtle growth may continue into the late teens or early 20s, depending on gender, genetics, and ethnicity. But for most people, nose growth plateaus by early adulthood.

So Why Does It Look Like Your Nose Keeps Growing?

After growth stops, the bone and cartilage structures of your face including your nose begin to change due to aging, gravity, and collagen loss.

Here’s how those changes affect your nose:

• The tip of the nose droops due to weakening cartilage

• The skin thins and loses elasticity, altering the nose's shape

• Outer nostrils widen slightly, changing facial proportions

• Cartilage may become brittle or separate from nasal tissues

These shifts don’t mean the nose is growing but they do change its appearance, often making it appear longer or more bulbous, especially at the tip.

Even nearby changes in your cheekbones or jawline can create the illusion of a larger nose. As bone density decreases and facial fat shifts with age, the nose may become a more prominent feature.

Structural Changes to the Nose With Age

Common age-related nasal changes include:

• Drooping or sagging of the nasal tip

• Thinner skin and loss of volume around the nose

• Reduced blood vessels in nasal tissues

• Changes in cartilage that affect both shape and breathing

• Conditions like rhinophyma, a subtype of rosacea, that cause redness, thickening, or swelling of nasal skin

These changes may be purely cosmetic or they can affect nasal airflow and your sense of smell, especially in older adults.

When Nasal Changes Affect Health

Your nose isn’t just about aesthetics. It plays a critical role in:

• Filtering, warming, and humidifying the air you breathe

• Delivering scent molecules for your sense of smell

• Supporting healthy sleep and breathing, especially through the nasal septum

Aging-related issues like a deviated septum or weakened cartilage can lead to:

• Nasal obstruction or congestion

• Reduced airflow during sleep

• Breathing through the mouth

• Loss of smell

If these changes impact daily life, medical intervention may be helpful.

What Can You Do About It?

If you're noticing changes in your nose with age whether cosmetic or functional several options are available:

1. Skincare and Prevention

• Protect your skin with SPF daily

• Use moisturizers and ingredients like retinoids to maintain elasticity

• Avoid long-term sun exposure, which breaks down collagen

2. Non-Surgical Options

• Dermal fillers can be used to lift a drooping nose tip or smooth surface irregularities

• Fillers are ideal for mild aesthetic concerns and have no downtime

3. Surgical Options (Rhinoplasty)

• A rhinoplasty, or “nose job,” can address both cosmetic and breathing issues

• In older adults, cartilage grafts from other areas (like the ribs) may be used for extra support

• About 10% of rhinoplasty patients are 55 or older, often seeking improved airflow, not just appearance

Surgeons generally recommend a conservative approach in older patients, especially since facial identity is tied closely to the nose, and changes may feel more dramatic after decades of a consistent appearance.

When to Talk to a Doctor

If you’re experiencing symptoms like:

• Chronic nasal congestion

• Difficulty breathing through your nose

• Reduced sense of smell

• Facial changes affecting confidence or comfort

…it may be time to consult with a facial plastic surgeon or ENT specialist.

The Bottom Line

Your nose stops growing during your teen years, but it can appear to grow or change shape due to natural shifts in skin, cartilage, and facial bone structure with age. These changes are normal, but if they impact your breathing or how you feel about your appearance, options ranging from skincare to rhinoplasty may help.

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