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Family
FEATURE
Common Procedures
Rhinoplasty
Ordinarily nose
reshaping is not
performed until
the nose reaches its
adult size – about
age 15 or 16 in
girls and a year later
in boys. In 2013,
30,672 rhinoplasty
procedures were performed on patients age 13-
19, accounting for nearly 50% of all cosmetic
surgical procedures performed on this age group.
Otoplasty
Surgical
correction of
protruding ears,
by which the ears
are pinned back,
may be performed
any time after the
age of 5. In 2013,
otoplasty accounted
for 10.7% of
procedures, with
more than 6,871 performed.
Breast Surgeries
Breast Augmentation:
Saline-filled breast
implants can be used for breast augmentation
in women 18-years or older and for breast
reconstruction. The FDA has re-approved
the use of silicone implants, however only for
use in women age 22-years or older. In 2013,
more than 8,234 breast augmentations were
performed on 18-19 year olds.
Breast Asymmetry Correction:
Using a
saline-filled implant in a smaller breast can allow
a patient to achieve symmetry, however it is
advisable to delay surgery until breast growth
ceases.
By Karla Jo Helms
Teen Cosmetic
Procedures Are
On The Rise
T
here were more than 76,000 cosmetic surgery procedures performed
on teens in 2011 – a possible reflection of recent findings that cosmetic
procedures have risen 30% over the last decade, specifically among
teen bullying victims. As more teenagers alter their appearance to make
themselves look better with the goal to feel better, some professionals are
warning interested children and their parents about the implications of both
surgical and minimally-invasive procedures during adolescence.
Beauty is a trait coveted by many, as evidenced by reports of the American
Society of Plastic Surgeons that show over 13 million minimally-invasive
procedures were performed in 2012. But now even children are attempting
to become more attractive – a trend that some believe is likely influenced
by the weight society places on appearance. “Teens’ bodies, as well as their
understanding of the inherent risks, are still developing,” says Dr. Cynthia Elliott,
owner of Skinspirations, a Tampa Bay-based nonsurgical cosmetic facility.
Case in point of societal influence: Last year a mobile app featured on iTunes
and Google Play encouraged children as young as nine years of age to help an
unfortunate girl become “slim and beautiful” by performing plastic surgery.
The free software, “Plastic Surgery for Barbie,” puts the user in the role of a
liposuction doctor who “operates” on the overweight character before pulling off
bandages to reveal a much thinner and “more beautiful” girl.
While surgical procedures are desired by teens, many are also seeking laser
skin resurfacing, chemical peels, dermabrasion, and even Botox injections.
Though research into the dangers of cosmetic procedures performed on children
under the age of 18 is limited, the physical and emotional risks are numerous,
according to Dr. Elliott, such as:
•
Serious health consequences, including slow and painful recoveries,
bacterial infections, and possible scarring.
•
Because young bodies are still growing, it is unclear how a procedure will
affect future development.
•
Teens may believe a new look will increase self-esteem or popularity.
However, unrealistic expectations can set teens up for major
disappointment if expectations are not met.
“While adults tend to want to stand out or turn back the clock, teenagers
typically seek cosmetic procedures to better fit in,” Dr. Elliott explained. “But
adolescents fail to understand that their bodies are still maturing, and the results
they desire may occur naturally as they grow. Because they’re also still growing
emotionally, the appearance objective that they have now may be entirely
different from what they hope to look like a year or two from now.” Dr. Elliott
advises parents to speak with their child to identify the true reasons behind the
serious request and then evaluate whether these goals are indeed attainable.
Teenagers must have a clear understanding of the benefits and limitations
of cosmetic and plastic surgery. In addition, exploration into surgical and
nonsurgical procedures should only be pursued with a practitioner experienced in
treating young adults.
ORLANDO FAMILY MAGAZINE
JANUARY 2016
14