Teens and plastic surgery
Reviewing
recent years’ statistics, we see an increase in aesthetic surgeries, but the
percentage of young patients aged 18or under remains steady, with the most
popular procedures in 2009 being the non invasive ones, such as hair removal
and chemical peeling, says the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery (ASAPS).
The most common procedure in the group of patients n 2009 was rhinoplasty. According to plastic surgeons, in selected cases of teens, there may even be a positive impact on their psychology.
Teen assessment for plastic surgery
According to expert plastic surgeons of the American Board of Plastic Surgery speculating in Aesthetic Surgery, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery provides the guidelines for the assessment of teen candidates for plastic surgery.
Clinical
assessment of a person’s normal development
If we operate a body feature not yet fully developed, ongoing development may alter the feature we operated and result in an unsuccessful procedure.
We evaluate psychosocial maturity and expectations:
Like adults, young people should have realistic expectations, be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure, and the extent to which they will benefit from it.
Check a plastic surgeon’s accreditation (credentials check):
Clarify any risks involved as well as recovery time. Parents and young patients should be fully informed on the procedure, recovery process and time, restrictions, etc.
The most common plastic surgery procedures among teens
The most common procedures in patients aged 18 years or under according to ASAPS statistics:
Rhinoplasty: the most common procedure among young people. It may be performed when 90% of growth occurring at the age of 13 or 14 years in girls and 15-16 years in boys is completed.
Breast reduction: it is performed in young girls with very large breasts that experience back and shoulder pain limiting everyday or sports activities. The surgery may be done when breast are fully developed.
Breast
asymmetry: such a procedure is conducted when one breast is larger
than the other. Implants are applicable when girls turn 18, unless ground
for reconstructive plastic surgery exists.
Gynecomastia: Gynecomastia is quite evident in many boys and creates severe psychosocial problems. This group of patients is operable.
Genioplasty-chin augmentation: Combined with rhinoplasty, it makes facial profile more harmonious.
Rates
For patients aged 18 years or under:
- 10 years ago, they accounted for 2.5% of the 145,094 procedures performed.
- 5 years ago, they accounted for 2% of the 240,682 procedures performed in 2004.
- In 2008, they accounted for 1.6% of the 160,283 procedures performed.
- In 2009, they accounted for 2% of the 203,308 procedures performed.
Liposuction rate is low because of the strict eligibility creiteria.
Watch a young American teenager tell her rhinoplasty story on Project Beauty:
