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By Amanda Genge, HealthAtoZ Writer
It's almost a given that teens will be unhappy with the way they look. It's the age of being self-conscious and feeling peer pressure to look a certain way. Your teen may wish to get rid of a birthmark, a crooked nose or ears that stick out.
In 2006, nearly 250,000 cosmetic procedures were performed on teenagers. They ranged from breast reductions to Botox injections. Why are so many teens going under the knife? Low self-esteem may play a role. Cosmetic procedures might seem like a "quick fix" to become more popular. Or teens may see a parent getting a face lift, or their favorite Hollywood star with collagen-enhanced lips.
Sometimes, the parent is the one who is unhappy with how the teen looks. The parent may even drive the child's decision to have surgery. Other parents may "treat" their teenagers to surgery as a birthday or graduation gift.
What teens are having "done"
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the three most common surgeries performed on males and females, aged 13 to 18 are:
- Rhinoplasty: nose reshaping
- Otoplasty: surgery to fix ears that stick out
- Breast reduction in men: removal of excess breast tissue in teenage boys
Otoplasty is safe for children as young as 4. Other surgeries, like breast augmentation and rhinoplasty, shouldn't be done before a child has stopped growing - usually by the late teens. Before you talk with a plastic surgeon, though, talk to your child about the risks of surgery and what he or she expects from it.
Sometimes, teens are unduly concerned about a defect that is hardly noticeable or not even there. This could be a sign that the teen has a body image disorder. Talking to a family doctor, pediatrician or mental health expert can help you find out if this is the case. If so, the result of any cosmetic surgery is likely to be disappointing to your teen and it won't address the real cause of the distress.
Teaching teens to accept themselves and make positive lifestyle changes may be a better option than surgery. You can talk to them about eating right and getting more exercise, for example. Parents may want to encourage teens with poor self-images to seek counseling to help them feel better about themselves.
Is plastic surgery right for your teen?
A teen who is thinking about plastic surgery should be ready - both physically and emotionally. Here are some topics to discuss with your child before making such a decision:
- Why does he or she want surgery? Is it to put an end to teasing or to be more attractive to others? Is physical discomfort involved? Is your teen taking it lightly because other family members have had it done?
- Is there another way? Losing weight through diet and exercise is safer than liposuction. It also teaches good health habits that can last a lifetime. Less drastic measures - such as a new hairstyle, makeup or contact lenses - could boost confidence, too. Counseling to improve self-acceptance is another option.
- Is your teen realistic? Does she expect to look totally different? Does he think he will feel like a new person overnight?
- Is your teen prepared for the recovery period? Not only will it be painful, but there may be swelling and bruising to deal with.
- Does he or she understand the risks? These can range from infection to bleeding and even death. Other times, surgery must be redone to get the desired result.
Teens should talk honestly to both parents and doctors about what they expect from surgery. A skilled surgeon will do more than just fix a physical problem. He or she should also be able to help you judge whether a teen really needs plastic surgery and not make unreasonable promises about the results. Only when everyone is on the same page should any cosmetic surgery go forward.
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