If you read the news lately, it seems that more and more teenagers these days, especially girls, are opting for cosmetic surgery to enhance their appearance. In truth, plastic surgery for teens is still relatively uncommon, with only about three percent of those 18 and younger undergoing such procedures each year.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the three most common teenage cosmetic procedures and plastic surgeries include nose job, breast reduction, and otoplasty (pinning back the ears).
Breast implants for teens, which seems to spark the most controversy, actually ranks 6th on this list, making it a relative rarity.
As I plastic surgeon, I believe that for some teenagers, aesthetic surgery can be a benefit to physical and emotional development. If your teenager is struggling with self-confidence or negative peer relationships as a result of a particular physical feature, if you suspect there is a serious risk to your child’s emotional health, and if that child has approached you to discuss his or her worries, you may want to consider consulting a plastic surgeon along with your child to explore the options.
If your teen does decide he or she wants surgery, as the parent you must consider carefully whether this will positively impact your teen’s life, or if it’s just the latest fad. It’s up to both you and your plastic surgeon to must make certain that your teen has realistic expectations about the procedure, and that the right procedure is chosen. And while there are always exceptions, it is my opinion that there are some aesthetic surgeries that should not be done on teenagers.
Breast enlargement should generally not be done before the age of 18. If your teen wants breast implants, keep in mind that saline breast implants have only been approved by the FDA for women at least 18 years old, and for breast reconstruction.
Liposuction is not a sound solution for removing unwanted baby fat. Most teens continue to experience major changes in body shape for several years, and interfering with that process can be damaging.
And while everyone wants high cheekbones, cheek implants produce only subtle results, and it is unlikely that the average teenager would really appreciate the subtle changes of cheek implants.
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