Teens and Plastic Surgery
Should teens get plastic surgery? Unlike adults who undergo plastic surgery to turn back the clock, some teenagers crave plastic surgery just to fit in. Many reports suggest that plastic surgery is now topping teen wish lists. This raises the question of whether teens are mature enough to be making a decision that poses risks and that will permanently change their appearance. The definition of plastic surgery is surgery to remodel, repair, or restore body parts, especially by the transfer of tissue (“Cosmetic surgery,” 2007). The most common surgical procedures performed on teens eighteen years and younger are otoplasty (ear surgery), rhinoplasty, breast reduction, and gynecomastia. Otoplasty was the most popular surgical procedures in 2010 (ASAPS, 2012, para. 4). Ear surgery is usually recommended for children age five or six, but can be done as young as four years old. Correcting the ears prior to the child beginning school helps eliminate psychological trauma from teasing. Rhinoplasty is a nose reshaping procedure. The procedure can be done when the nose has completed ninety percent of its growth, which occurs as early as age thirteen to fourteen in girls and fifteen to sixteen in boys (ASAPS, 2012, para. 5). Breast reduction is performed on females with overly large breasts that may cause back and shoulder pain. It can also restrict physical activity. Gynecomastia is excessive breast development in boys. Excess tissue is removed from the breast to make for a more masculine body. This condition may disappear at the end of puberty. Surgery usually becomes an option if gynecomastia has been present for more than two years or if the problem is severe. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) it can become a big psychological problem for teenage boys. According to the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery, there are plastic surgery procedures that teens should avoid. Teens should avoid breast enhancements, liposuction, cheek implants
References: Cosmetic Surgery. (2007). Thefreedictionary.com. Retrieved from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Cosmetic+Surgery Markowitz, Andrea. (2010, June 1). Too young for cosmetic surgery?. Retrieved from http://www.southflorida.com/specialsection/teenlinks/sns-health- young-cosmetic-surgery,0,7776311.story American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. (2012). Teens and plastic surgery. Retrieved from http://www.surgery.org/media/news-releases/teens-and- plastic-surgery American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (2011). Plastic surgery for teenagers briefing paper. Retrieved from http://www.plasticsurgery.org/news-and- resources/briefing-papers/plastic-surgery-for-teenagers.html Rose. (March 28, 2008). Florida teen dies after breast surgery. Retrieved from http://www.zimbio.com/Stephanie+Kuleba/articles/4/Florida+Teen+Dies+After+Breast+ Surgery WebMD. (2004). Is plastic surgery a teen thing? Retrieved from http://www.webmd.om/healthy- beauty/features/is-plastic-surgery-teen-thing Mann Denise. (2012) Teen plastic surgery: special report. Retrieved from http://www.yourplasticsurgeryguide.com/trends/teen-plastic-surgery.htm