Yes, your nose can change in shape and size during puberty, giving the appearance of growth.
While the cartilage in the nose itself may not undergo substantial growth, the underlying bone structure is developing, which causes the overall appearance of the nose to change shape and become more prominent. This structural shift is particularly noticeable during the teenage years as other facial features mature as well.
Key Changes During Puberty:
- Structural Changes: The bone and cartilage in your nose continue to develop, contributing to changes in its size and shape.
- Facial Development: As your face matures, the nose may appear more prominent in proportion to other features.
- Hormonal Influences: Hormones released during puberty can affect cartilage and bone development, indirectly influencing the nose's appearance.
Timeline:
- Females: Nose development typically completes around age 15 or 16.
- Males: Nose development typically continues until around age 18.
After these ages, the nose generally maintains its shape and size for several decades. While the nose doesn't usually "grow" in the sense of continuous elongation or enlargement in adulthood, age-related changes can occur later in life.
In conclusion, the changes experienced in your nose during puberty are due to growth and development of bone and cartilage structures around the nose, instead of continual growth of the nose itself. This period can reshape and resize it until adulthood.
