Why Teens Want Plastic Surgery More Than Ever

Plastic surgery is already a controversial issue for some people. But, what do you think about teenagers getting cosmetic work done? It’s happening, and the numbers are increasing. In 2013, the total cosmetic procedures performed on teens from 13-19 years old were 219,564 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Large portions of the cosmetic procedures were ear surgery and breast reduction in males. Other notable procedures were breast augmentation and eyelid surgery. As for minimally invasive procedures, popular treatments were Botox injections and laser hair removal.

Why Teens Want Plastic Surgery

Teens are deciding on plastic surgery based on their desire to “look normal”. Issues like bullying and low self-esteem influences young people to consider cosmetic procedures to fit in with their peers. Some teens also feel the need to conform to what is perceived as attractive by the media and in most cases these days, social media. In our world of image filters and extreme Photoshop editing of pictures, it’s easy to see why teens compare themselves to pictures of people who look so flawless with their wrinkles, curves, blemishes and whatever imperfections edited.

Ears that stick out too far, crooked features or breasts that are too small are all concerns of teenagers. In fact, ear surgery is performed on children as young as five years old. The Ontario medicare system covers the surgery for people under the age of 18. Parents initiate these procedures for their kids at young ages so the kids don’t have to endure teasing. As for teens that have surgeries before heading to university, it’s a perfect time to “start fresh” with a new look in a different environment. Considering that teens need parental consent for plastic surgery, their parents have to approve of this drastic decision before it happens.

Parents Would Allow Their Teens to Have Plastic Surgery

Many people say they would approve their kids having plastic surgery. RealSelf, a large online community for sharing and learning about cosmetic surgeries and treatments, conducted a survey of more than 650 people. The poll asked if they would allow their child to undergo a procedure to decrease or prevent bullying. The results showed that 68% of those surveyed said yes, while 32% said no.

Still, when it comes to teens and plastic surgery, plastic surgeons are on the fence with this topic. “Performing cosmetic procedures in teenagers is something I try to avoid. I find it is difficult to come to terms with a confident sense of self during teenage years without complicating it with cosmetic plastic surgery, either surgical or non-surgical,” says Dr. Mulholland, a Toronto plastic surgeon.

Going about this subject is really tricky when teens are still mentally and physically developing. It’s incredibly common, and perhaps expected, that teens would feel insecure about certain aspects of themselves. It’s a phase that can pass, and that’s why some doctors would rather not perform surgery until the patient is older and has a better sense of self. But the reality is that although one doctor could refuse to perform surgery on teens, it’s not difficult to move on and find a doctor who will.