The SoCal Cosmetic Network

Cosmetic Surgery is on The Rise with Teenagers

November 29, 2009, As many American’s continue to live in a society that is image-obsessed, where many are often judged solely by the way we look, cosmetic surgery procedures will continue to rise. The fact is, cosmetic plastic surgery procedures have tripled since 1992, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

In today’s world in American society, plastic surgery is not just for the “rich and famous” anymore, yet it is increasingly popular as an intervention for people with pretty much “normal bodies”. Breast augmentation procedures have increased some 53 percent, while liposuction has increased 31 percent over the years.

A trend that is becoming quite alarming in the cosmetic surgery world, is that while cosmetic plastic surgery procedures continue to rise, the average age of patients continues to drop. The ASPS reported that the average age of patients has dropped from 34 to now 17 years old. 219,000 cosmetic procedures were performed on patients 12 to 19 years old during 2008, while almost 39,000 were surgical procedures such as a nose job (rhinoplasty), breast lifts, breast augmentation, liposuction, and tummy tucks.

This alarming trend amongst America’s teenage population turning to cosmetic surgery to enhance their looks is in direct correlation to the burden our society places on one’s “outer beauty”. Although, there are many cosmetic plastic surgery procedures that are warranted, yet many are not for these teenagers. There are even a lot of instances where parents are paying for various cosmetic surgery procedures for their teenage children as a holiday or birthday gift.

Self-esteem is a major issue that plagues many teens that lack confidence in their physical appearance, and for many, the teen years are among the most difficult for people. Many peers are often quick to judge and call out others, while hampering their confidence and self-esteem, which can cause various psychological issues that can last for years.

In a 2008 study that was commissioned by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, men and women ages 18 to 24 had the highest approval rating for cosmetic surgery. This has raised concerns, especially now that more and more young people are turning to cosmetic plastic surgery more than ever…and this is not necessarily a good thing.

“What used to be reserved for adults and cosmetic purposes, slowly creeped into the world of those under 18. It began with microdermabrasion and facial peels to help with severe acne, then breast augmentation in respect to reductions or leveling out unevenness, but now has turned into something teens do just for fun,” says Dr. Foad Nahai, the previous president for ASAPS.

Teens tend to crave plastic surgery to “fit in” with the crowd, unlike adults who will often undergo a cosmetic surgery procedure in hopes of turning back the aging clock. Yet a big question is, does plastic surgery really help improve a teenager’s self-confidence?

According to PlasticSurgery.org, the teenagers that do express their desire to undergo a various cosmetic plastic surgery procedure are often trying to improve physical characteristics that they believe are flawed or imperfect. They feel that plastic surgery might actually help them gain more self-esteem and confidence when these physical issues are corrected. Some teens figure getting a nose job will make them the most popular kid in school, let alone the town, as these highly unrealistic expectations about cosmetic surgery can often set these teens up for a major disappointment that can effect the rest of their life.

Very few, if any, would argue that reconstructive surgeries can greatly benefit children and the youth. A surgical procedure to correct a cleft lip and palates are not “controversial” surgeries. These advances in plastic surgery have helped many teens and children with physical deformities lead normal lives.

According to the ASPS, some cosmetic surgeries can be dangerous because of foreign material, such as an implant being inserted into one’s body, can sometimes be rejected by the patient’s own system.

“We tell them it’s real surgery,” said Dr. Rod J. Rohrich, chairman of plastic surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

Plastic surgery has multiple increased risks for teens, since their bodies are still developing and growing. It will not always be crystal clear as to how the cosmetic surgery procedure will affect the teenager later in life, as they cosmetic changes might become distorted as the teenager ages.

Those who oppose plastic surgery procedures amongst teenagers feel that many are picking quick and easy cosmetic solutions. The ASPS has not stated a formal position regarding teenage cosmetic plastic surgery, yet they do state on their website that the most rewarding outcomes of cosmetic surgery occur when the teenage patient is the one to initiate a request, has realistic goals in mind, and has matured sufficiently.

TheSoCalCosmeticNetwork.com stresses that cosmetic surgery should not be the primary option for anyone, and should be taken very seriously, as this is reason we suggest that one seek multiple opinions from qualified cosmetic plastic surgeons, before enduring a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure.

Source: TheSoCalCosmeticNetwork.com Staff

8 Responses to “Cosmetic Surgery is on The Rise with Teenagers”

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   June 30, 2010 at 2:27 pm

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