Plastic Surgery For Teenagers

Plastic surgery has been around since 800 BC. Many adults have considered such procedures as a benefit for themselves; however would you allow your teenager to consider it to mask their flaws? According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery nearly 210,000 cosmetic surgery procedures were performed on teenagers 13-19 in 2009 (Thompson). Low self esteem has led some teens in choosing plastic surgery as a boost for confidence. This should not be considered an option for teens without knowing the consequences it can lead too. Therefore, parents should not allow their young teenager to get plastic surgery.

Rhinoplasty and Breast implants are common procedures that many teenagers get to satisfy their insecurities. “Nearly 35,000 U.S. teenagers had their noses surgically reshaped last year and about 8,000 girls age 13 to 19 had their breast enlarged last year (2009) and 2,953 of them were aged 18 and younger” (Thompson). Dr. Antell states that he is unsure if a teen will continue to grow or not. He avoids doing the surgery because destroying the human body will cause more problems. To harm a young girls body will not only make her look deformed but even more self conscious. “Breast implants are a murky area because you are unsure if the teenager has stopped growing yet” (Wansbrough). This doesn’t just go for breast implants but also rhinoplasty, liposuction, and injections. The body grows and plastic surgery does have an effect in the long run. “The key perspective is to asses physical, emotional, and psychological maturity before treating a patient” (Wansbrough). In order to get diagnosed for the desired surgery, teenagers must ask themselves are they ready for the procedure? The doctor will ask a series of questions and observe th...

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...ly in realizing that they are way too young to get plastic surgery. The world would be different if you changed everything others did not like about you, so teenagers need to be influenced to love them because they were born this way. There may be physical changes but the real change begins with who they are inside (Wansbrough).

Works Cited

"Cosmetic Surgery Is Okay For Teenagers." Body Image. N.p.: Greenhaven Press, 2003. N. pag. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.

Schneweis, Erin. "Cosmetic Surgery May Be Harmful to Teenagers." Body Image. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2003. N. pag. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 30 Jan. 2014.

Thompson, Victoria. "Teens Choose Plastic Surgery to Boost Self-Esteem." abcnews.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014.

Wansbrough, Liane Beam. "Bodies Under Construction." Faze Magazine: n. pag. faze.ca. Web. 17 Feb. 2014.