Teenagers and Cosmetic Surgery

1282 Words3 Pages

Incision’s, scars, nipping, sewing, and recovery are all things that teens often undergo when having cosmetic surgery. The rates of cosmetic surgery among teens has soared and continues to increase. People state that an acclaimed sense of self-esteem and confidence can be achieved from having cosmetic surgery because then they “fit in,” but is that really a good enough reason for teens to put their body under the knife? Teens should not be allowed to undergo such an extensive procedure with such feeble intentions.
Cosmetic surgery, also known as Aesthetic plastic surgery, consists of common procedures such as breast implants and liposuction, to more exotic procedures such as buttock lifts and cheek implants. Some other cosmetic surgery procedures often performed may include Rhinoplasty (nose job), reconstruction of the mouth or chin, and the removal of wrinkles or blemishes. Now, plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery are two different things; plastic surgery is performed for medical purposes while cosmetic surgery is strictly to correct a perceived flaw in one’s physical appearance. This procedure has become a large part of a teenagers attempt to achieve the ideal beauty being portrayed in today’s media all over the world. In 2008, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Surgery, nearly 48,000 participants in cosmetic surgery were of the age 18 or under. That total includes only invasive procedures, during which surgeons cut into a patient's tissue. It does not include nonsurgical cosmetic procedures such as Botox injections or laser hair removal. The total number of operations spiked in 2003, having 66,142 surgeries performed on those aged 18 and younger, and then fell in 2006 to 40,464 surgeries. Overall, 50,066 cosmet...

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...ss from every perspective, along with the peer pressure of others teens trying to conform to the “normality” of society. However, cosmetic surgery should not be the reason for a teen to be able to interact more freely with so called “friends,” because the people who will be the truest friends are not be the ones waiting until after the surgery conforms a person to acknowledge their existence. Therefore, teens should not base their decision of getting surgery on hopes of gaining types of friends who only appreciate superficial beauty instead of pure beauty which comes from within. Teens should also not undergo surgery at such a young age due to not only the health risks, but the possible future problems they may encounter. The acclaimed sense of self-esteem and confidence cannot and should not outweigh the many risks and side effects of teens having cosmetic surgery.

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