Plastic Surgery: How Young Is Too Young?

These days, many girls are getting nose jobs as Sweet 16 gifts. And there are numerous cases of children even younger than 16 undergoing plastic surgery. But how young is too young and what are the ramifications of kids going under the knife?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the number of teens getting plastic surgery has doubled since 2002. For those who have a birth defect or are disfigured in an accident, you can make a strong case for the necessity of cosmetic surgery. However for those teens doing it in the name of beauty, there should be limits.

Of course, there are possible surgical ramifications for someone who is not yet developed. And then there are the risks of surgery, general anesthesia, and pain medications. Additionally, the psychological and emotional consequences can be severe. What if your daughter has unrealistic expectations of how her life will change after surgery? Even adults who have undergone plastic surgery can suffer from post-surgical depression.

With all the changes going on in a teen’s mind and body, should we really add the serious effects of plastic surgery?

“It’s no different than kids getting braces for crooked teeth,” says Dr. Sam Rizk. But is it?

The USDA won’t allow breast augmentation to be done on anyone younger than 18. However, some breast surgeries are performed at a younger age by surgeons who deem them medically necessary. Facial plastic surgery usually doesn’t take place until facial growth is complete (females: 14, males: 15).

Recently, msnbc.com ran an article about the pros and cons of letting teens have plastic surgery that brought up several valid points on both sides of the argument.

Would you allow your 16-year-old to undergo cosmetic surgery? Leave your comment below and tell us what you think.