The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has no official stance when it comes to teenage plastic surgery. They maintain that it is a personal choice for a family to make based on their own beliefs and desires. Teenage plastic surgery is quite prevalent in the United States; the ASPS states that in 2010 there were nearly 219,000 cosmetic plastic surgery procedures performed on patients between the ages of 13 and 19.
The Reasons for Surgery
Plastic surgery for teenagers can actually have several emotional benefits, as certain teen body issues can cause them to develop low self-esteem or withdraw due to their feelings towards their physical appearance or perceived deformities. Plastic surgery can make your teen feel like they are in control of their life and body, resulting in more confidence and self-acceptance.
However, allowing a teenager to have a cosmetic procedure should not be taken lightly. Everyone involved should still be aware that plastic surgery is still surgery and involves some risk and considerable recovery time, so procedures should only be performed in a clinical setting by board certified physicians like the ones you’ll find at Boulder Plastic Surgery. It is also important that teenagers be adequately informed about the realities of plastic surgery as well as the results, so they are aware that the surgery itself isn’t magic.
The best teenage candidates for plastic surgery are those that have long expressed a desire for their chosen procedure and are mature enough to really understand why they want to do it and what the realistic results will be. A teenager that makes a snap decision on a whim after having a bad day, displays erratic moods, or uses drugs or alcohol is not someone who would be best suited to undergo plastic surgery. As long as the teenager and her parents have an open discussion about the reasons and results of the surgery, the entire process can deliver very positive results.
Visit Boulder Plastic Surgery’s blog again tomorrow to learn about the most common teenage plastic surgeries performed on patients ages 13 through 19.
