What You Need To Know About Teens and Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery has been around for centuries and it comes in two forms; reconstructive and cosmetic. Reconstructive plastic surgery can be performed on babies, toddlers, teens and people of all ages because it is designed to reverse birth defects and trauma from serious injury. Cosmetic surgery on the other hand is designed to enhance or dull certain features of the body that someone is unhappy with. In teenagers, we see reconstructive surgery more often, but lately the gap is beginning to close. Let’s talk a little more about the current state of cosmetic surgery amongst teenagers.

Why would they want it?
Older people tend to view cosmetic surgery as a way to stand out from the crowd. Younger people actually view it as the complete opposite, a way to fit in. This could include a boy who has tried diet and exercise to reduce his male breasts but it hasn’t seemed to work. Or it could be a birthmark that a boy or girl is self conscious about on their bodies. Whatever the procedure might be, cosmetic surgery is becoming more popular amongst teens. In fact, over 200,000 teens ages 13-19 had cosmetic surgery performed in 2013.

What are the risks?
The major risk that concerns cosmetic surgeons is the maturity of the patients. They’ll spend more time interviewing and consulting a younger patient to make sure they are trying to have the surgery for the right reasons. There are however specific procedures that a surgeon will not perform until the patient is done maturing. These include rhinoplasty (nose job), breast augmentation or breast reduction. At the end of the day, it is up to the teen, their parents and the expertise of the doctor to determine if the patient is ready for cosmetic surgery.

Any advice?
For young teens, there is no reason to rush into cosmetic surgery. Body parts or features that seem unbearable now might become more proportionate in time. It is also important to remember that everyone feels self conscious to an extent. Be confident in the person that you are and take the proper steps to leading a happy and healthy lifestyle. If you still feel that plastic surgery is your best option, our surgeons are willing to sit down and go through your options with you.

At Wall Street Cosmetic Surgery, we take great pride in the fact that we’re considered one of New York City’s premiere cosmetic surgery practices. The dedication of our staff and expertise of our surgeons makes our patients comfortable at a very anxious time in their lives. If you or your child are considering cosmetic surgery, we would love to meet with you and go over the details.

To schedule your FREE consultation, call 212-344-0496 or click around on our website!