You might be amongst the teenagers who look in the mirror and think of your face would be perfect if it weren’t for the nose? You might have ears that stick straight out, and there’s no way you can hide them but leave your hair open. Perhaps you’re conscious about the size of your breasts – being way too large. Or maybe a bad accident has left scar on your face that’s affecting your charm. If any such case is making you conscious then you’re door is cosmetic surgery.
As per American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASPS), 2012 had more than 236,000 cosmetic procedures were performed on patients of age 19 and younger. The most common plastic surgery procedures chosen by teen agers include: nose job, correction of large breasts, protruding ears, asymmetrical breasts, and scars of injuries and acne.
After seeing a number of teenagers at Crisp Plastic Surgery center for Rhinoplasty in Atlanta we decided to understand why so many teen agers are approaching plastic surgeons. As per understanding gained through questions and discussion, here’s why teens want plastic/cosmetic surgery:
Why Do Teens Seek Plastic Surgery?
There are many reasons why teens seek plastic surgery. One out of the many reason is the urge to fit in socially, with friends, in school or college, and on social media. Young people are a part of this digital era where all want to look “selfie perfect”. They are outspoken and can be cruel, intentionally or unintentionally to someone who isn’t great at looks. And a constant barrage of bad remarks can drive the teen to take surgical action.
Majority of young people seek plastic surgery for improving their physical appearance and self-esteem. Teens report that their self esteem and confidence increases when their physical shortcomings are corrected. While the reasons of teens are almost similar adults, the difference is that teens often want to fit in rather than stand out. Teens opt for plastic surgery to look considerate and have confidence in themselves, and not to meet the expectation of others.
Teens also need support and back up from family for going through a minor or major corrective procedure. Since every surgery involves risks, therefore teens should have realistic grasp of the limitations and risks of plastic surgery. This owes a lot to the parents and personal understanding of the teen, while at the same time it’s important to choose the right surgeon.
Plastic surgeon should be board certified (board-certified means the surgeon has passed a number of exams and has gone through several trainings and finally received the certification). When you meet the surgeon, consider how comfortable you are with your surgeon, ask all questions concerning surgery, and confirm the number of procedures that will be done on you.
Common Plastic Surgery Procedures for Teens
Teens mostly opt for the following plastic surgery procedures:
- Rhinoplasty – Nose job or nose reshaping is one of the most demanded plastic surgery procedure requested by teens. This procedure however can only be done on nose that has reached an adult size and has finished growing by age 15 or 16 in girls and age 16 or 17 in boys.
- Otoplasty – Pinning of ear.
- Chin Augmentation – Reshaping of chin.
- Breast Asymmetry Correction – Breast asymmetry correction is usually carried out when both breasts are of different shape and size.
- Breast Reduction – Breast reduction is generally suitable for the girls who are embarrassed from large breasts and want a smaller size. Very large breasts can cause back pain, shoulder pain, and can also cause breathing issues.
- Gynecomastia – This procedure is generally for male teens that have excessive breast development and prefer reduction in breast formation. But this procedure is only done when the condition is very severe.
- Laser Treatment – Sanding laser technique is used for clearing and evening out the skin. Making the skin smooth and free from scars is what most teens want. Collagen injections are another way of repairing the skin and eliminating defects.
Things to Consider Before Plastic Surgery
Teens should never be supported for plastic or cosmetic surgery, unless necessary. Therefore, it is highly recommended for parents to be fully involved with their young ones, to ensure right step is taken for the right reasons. If you’re aiming for plastic surgery, let your parents get involved and consider all the risks and complications before getting the surgery done. Here are few guidelines you can consider:
- You should initiate the request and should have very realistic goals. Your expectations should also be based on thorough understanding of the process and procedure.
- The plastic surgeon you choose will have a lot to do with the results and your entire process. Choose the surgeon wisely and take help of your parents. The surgeon should be board-certified and experienced enough to handle any to every situation.
- Surgery should take place only in an accredited surgical facility that has the ability of handling rare complications.
- Surgery should also take place under full informed consent. This clearly means that you understand the details of the procedure and so do your parents.