Adolescent cosmetic surgery

Teenagers who want to have plastic surgery usually have different motivations and goals than adults. They often have plastic surgery to improve physical characteristics they feel are awkward or flawed that if left uncorrected may affect them well into adulthood.

Teens tend to have plastic surgery to feel comfortable within their peer group. A responsible approach is not to encourage exploitation or showy type procedures or individuals. Plastic surgery is not recommended for teens that are prone to mood swings or erratic behaviour, who are abusing drugs and/or alcohol, or who are being treated for clinical depression or other mental illness.

Common requests from teenagers include rhinoplasty, ear reshaping, overly large breasts, asymmetrical breasts, and severe acne and scarring.

Surgery can often result in increased self esteem when the problems are corrected. Breast enlargement is also an alternative for correction of very small breasts.

Not every teenager seeking surgery is suited to a procedure.
Mature teenagers who have a problem must show emotional maturity at a vulnerable time of life, which means that they are not impulsive and are willing to consider the long term consequences of decisions taken now.

It is important that they demonstrate a mature thinking process and are capable of genuinely understanding the problem, the possible treatments and their consequences.

Appropriate management includes the involvement of parents, counsellors and significant mature individuals in the teenagers life. When these safeguards are in place, cosmetic change in adolescents and teenagers can provide significant benefits to the individual.

In conclusion:
1. The teenager initiates the request. While parental support is essential, the teenager’s own desire for plastic surgery must be clearly expressed and repeated over a period of time.

2. The teenager has realistic goals. The young person must appreciate both the benefits and

limitations of plastic surgery, avoiding unrealistic expectations about life changes that will occur as a result of the procedure.

3. The teenager has sufficient maturity. Teenagers must be able to tolerate the discomfort and temporary disfigurement of a surgical procedure.