Influence Of Cosmetic Surgery

There is no question that the media has a huge impact on our lives, especially on those who are teenagers. Since many teens are avid users of social media, it is important to realize the effect some information has on a growing adolescent teen. My research draws on the media influence on teen body image and also its impact on a teenager’s desire for cosmetic surgery. I’ll explore the media and its affect on the way teens view themselves and the relationship of cosmetic surgery in the media and teenage plastic surgery. I will also include the views of actual cosmetic surgeons and elaborate on what they have to say about teenage plastic surgery. Specifically, I will focus on the positive correlation of cosmetic surgery in the media and the desire

With an increase of younger viewers, there were concerns expressed by the American and British Association for Plastic Surgery about the advertisement and the impact it has on adolescents and also its perceived pressures of teens undergoing cosmetic surgery (Fogel and King 233). Three psychologists performed a study on adolescent girls to see what their reaction would be toward plastic surgery reality TV. Some participants were presented a show about risks while others were presented a show that did not mention risks. The results displayed that girls were more dissatisfied with their weight and appearance after watching, but no changes in their attitude toward cosmetic surgery. There was no information on whether cosmetic surgery portrayed in the media has an impact on adolescent boys, but in fact, there was a higher desire to undergo a cosmetic procedure for girls (Ashikali, Dittmar, and Ayers

A poll taken by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) revealed that one in three cosmetic surgeons saw an increase in procedures of patients between the ages of 13 and 19 because of the exposure to social media (Elliott). Frederick N. Lukash, MD, FACS who has a private practice in New York City and Manhasset, NY commented on how plastic surgery in teens may become an abused marketplace because teens are exposed to too much uncensored information in the media and how that influences teenagers to go under the knife. He suggested that teens pay little attention to the risks of procedures and that puts plastic surgeons on the defense, causing them to spend an extensive amount of time explaining why they do not need the surgery. He states, “The media must be educated on the risks, benefits, and outcomes of plastic surgery, and the depth and breadth of the specialty” (Lukash). Other surgeons also have found teenage cosmetic surgery alarming and suggested that they wait to have cosmetic surgery until their bodies are finished growing (“About Face”