What are the problems with teenagers getting plastic surgery? As teenages seek facial plastic surgery it is important to consider where and why they want the operation and be sure to council with the parents as well as the child.
It was not that long ago that plastic surgery seemed taboo. People frowned at those that chose to "change" themselves into something else. In a relatively short period of time it has been welcomed into our society with open arms. Adults around the world are choosing plastic surgery as a way to change their body for either a cosmetic or functional purpose. However there is a new twist in plastic surgery. "The age in which people are seeking facial plastic surgery is probably getting younger," said Charles M. Boyd M.D., M.B.A., and F.A.C.S. He has been a plastic surgeon for more than 13 years.
With this change in the population seeking out plastic surgery it brings up some issues. There are many different problems that arise when a teenager is pursuing plastic surgery. "I think that you have to know the risks and the dangers," Boyd said.
First, there are issues that will arise concerning a young person's body. There is less hesitation to allow an adult to have a plastic surgery because their bodies are fully matured. A teenager may not be through developing. "For example, you want to make sure before you operate on any area where there is still potential growth that you don't do anything to disrupt the natural growth process," Boyd said.
To better illustrate the point, a 14 year old female is usually not the best candidate for a breast enlargement. A female's body can still be developing after this age so it is best to let the body fully mature before a body-altering decision is made. Liposuction is generally viewed the same way. A teenager may want to have some excess fat removed. This is generally not the best case scenario because at a young age the body is still changing. Diet and exercise is often recommended to help reduce body fat.
In 2003, more than 331,000 cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed on people age 18 or younger in 2003, according to American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Although there are some surgeries that are not best for people so young there are others that are suitable for some at a young age. More than half of the cosmetic surgeries done on patients 18 and under in 2003, were rhinoplasties or nose jobs, according to ASPS. Other popular surgeries in that age group include ear surgery, breast augmentation, and acne or scar treatments.
Aside from worries of physical maturation of teenagers, there is the psychological aspect. "I think the biggest thing that I certainly look for when I counsel young patients and their parents about is where and why you are operating," Boyd said.
In some cases teens are choosing plastic surgery to improve their functioning in some physical capacity. Conversely, there are young people deciding to have plastic surgery for purely cosmetic purposes and that should be a point of scrutiny.
Young people can go through bouts of insecurity concerning their body. It is important to not allow a teenager to make this type of decision on a whim. It may be a good idea to make the teen go through counseling to further look at the reason why the surgery is desired. There may be deeper lying issues such as eating disorders or Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) that could be driving the want for a body altering operation.
Only after it is established that the teenager is a physically a good candidate for the surgery and psychologically sound in making their decision should a procedure be pursued.
