Plastic Surgery For Teens – It Can be Good for The Right Reasons "Unique"
From getting accepted in society to relative safety issues, plastic surgery has become a popular trend among people of different age groups. The number of teens under 18 years old going for various types of cosmetic surgeries has grown from 60,000 back in ’97 to roughly 225,000 in 2003, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. A medical report that followed 8 years ‘worth of official information on teens reported that 18-year olds prefer interventions such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels. These are meant to boost their self-esteem by treating acne. Other common plastic surgeries are ear and nose surgery, laser hair removal, breast enlargement and reduction, liposuction and chin augmentation.
For the right reasons, plastic surgery can be good for teenagers. It’s natural for a child who was born with a birth defect or deformity in a visible place (e.g. face, neck, arms) to feel insecure. In this case, a reconstructive intervention to fix that deformity can do a lot of good to the child. Aside from boosting his self-esteem, it will also restore his confidence and help him fit better in a group of friends.
Teen plastic surgery – more common than you think
Nowadays, increasingly more teens choose to have plastic surgery. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons mentions that an average number of 75,000 procedures were done on patients with ages between 13 and 19 in 2012. The total number of minimally invasive interventions rose to 160,000 that same year. However, parents should be advised that not all teens are well-fitted for such an operation. Better yet teens must prove that they have emotional stability, and that they understand that even cosmetic surgery has limitations.
The ASPS warns parents and teens that plastic surgery is in fact a real operation. It does feature benefits but it with certain risks too. It is important to have realistic expectations and not believe that an intervention will do miracles. Procedures like liposuction for example, have visible effects on the body; but without exercise and a proper diet routine the patient will gain back the lost fat.
Undeniable benefits of plastic surgery
We can’t deny that a child who has a cracked lip or a broken nose after a tough baseball game requires plastic surgery to restore physical function, boost appearance and prevent uneven growth of the bone. However, the main problem arises when a teen wants a cosmetic intervention, a procedure to make him/her look normal, or better than normal. In this case, we have breast augmentation surgeries or nose jobs for aesthetic purposes.
A teenager who doesn’t feel comfortable in his/her own skin risks growing up with all sorts of insecurities. The fear of being bullied will lead to an introverted personality, and let’s face it; no parent wants their kid to grow up a loner. Whether we like to admit it or not, physical appearance matters a lot even if we’re talking about 16-year old kids. A cosmetic intervention can have a powerful impact on the life of your child, thus helping him integrate better.
As a parent, should I allow my 16-year old to undergo plastic surgery?
There’s no plain answer to this question, especially since plastic surgery is performed for various reasons. As a parent, you have to make a sensible decision. Does your teenage kid want to have a cosmetic intervention solely for aesthetic reasons? Does he have a malformation or birth mark that’s affecting his/her social life? In spite of the great benefits of plastic surgery, you should also be aware of the risk. Interventions such as liposuction and breast augmentation come with increased levels of risk, whilst microdermabrasion and peels are considered safer procedures because they don’t involve anesthesia and they’re not painful.
For the right reasons and in special circumstances, cosmetic surgery can have a positive effect on teens. A parent should know that regardless of the type, these interventions are risky. All of them pose some level of risk. Prior to making a decision, you should consult with a specialist. Only an experienced plastic surgeon will know what’s best for your teenage kid. Last but not least, get informed. The more you know about a certain procedure the better for the safety of your child.
