Since the year 2007, 1,339,229 cosmetic surgeries have been performed on the age group of 13-19. In a world where people are judged by their physical appearance, it is common for teenagers to be uncomfortable with their bodies. As a way of conforming to society’s image of physical perfection, more and more teenagers are turning to cosmetic surgery as a solution. The purpose for this paper is to make the problems of teenagers having cosmetic surgery, in order to physically change themselves to society’s standards, known. Teenagers should not be having cosmetic surgery because at this age the majority are too of them are too immature, it is avoiding the root of the problem which makes surgery seem like an attractive option, and it is not a permanent solution to that problem.
Over the years, the number cosmetic surgeries performed in the age group of 13-19 have increased dramatically. In 2007, the total of number cosmetic surgeries being performed on this age group was 224,658. In 2008, the total number of cosmetic surgeries being performed was 219,136. In 2009, the number was 209,553. In 2010, the number was 218,909. In 2011, the number increased to 230,617. Finally, in 2012 the number of cosmetic surgeries performed on this age group was 236,356. The number of teenagers having cosmetic surgery decreased from 2008 to 2009, but since then have continued to increase significantly each year (ASPS).
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There are a few things that plastic surgeons evaluate before considering, cosmetic surgery for teenagers. The physical maturity of the teenage patient is one of three considerations. If the surgeon operates on a feature that is not yet fully developed, it could interfere with the growth of the feature or possibly negate the o...
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Cosmetic surgery is performed by doctors from a variety of medical fields, including plastic surgeons. The scope of cosmetic surgery encompasses breast enhancement, facial contouring, facial rejuvenation, body contouring, and skin rejuvenation. On the other hand, plastic surgery deals with reconstructive surgery. In fact, in 1999, the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons changed its name to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in order to communicate that “plastic and reconstructive surgery are one and the same”. Because it is reconstructive in nature, plastic surgery corrects dysfunctional areas of the body.
Teenagers take extreme measures in order to “fix” themselves (by having Plastic surgery). Plastic Surgery is a surgical process used to repair deformities and glitches in a persons body. Nowadays, teenagers tend to have plastic surgeries to improve physical characteristics they feel are flawed and/or to fit in with peers, to look similar to others. In fact, it is only the pressure that has been put upon these minors that makes them want to look flawless or perfect in order to feel comfortable in their own skin and avoid any unwanted judgments. Most teenagers are not mature enough to clearly understand the problems and consequences that are accompanied with cosmetic surgery. Therefore, cosmetic surgery should not be allowed for minors.
Cosmetic surgery is essentially not a bad thing. Some people suffer facial and body injuries or are born with a deformity which can only be corrected by plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgery can also be a life saver in cases of extreme obesity. However, some people-especially young females- are becoming too obsessed with their looks and body. The quest of finding the perfect body has led many to the operating table, opting for multiple cosmetic surgeries.
Plastic surgery is one of the most growing fields in medicine. Reconstructive surgery is one of the branches from plastic surgery and it is defined as surgeries performed to restore facial and body defects caused by a disease, trauma, burns, or birth defects (Nelson, 2010). When it first started, it focused on helping people who are having difficulty blending in society. For instance, during the Renaissance era, in the late 1700s, doctors worked on enhancing the appearance of patients suffering from the nose deformation caused by syphilis using plastic surgery. Enabling them to blend in society and cover the disease. Also, after World War I, because there were a large number of soldiers with disfiguring injuries, the United States of America relied on plastic surgeries to improve the life of wounded soldiers (Nelson, 2010). The other branch of plastic surgery is cosmetic surgery. This type of surgery is performed to preserve or restore normal appearances, or to enhance it beyond the average level (American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, 2014). For the last couple of years, Plastic surgery marketing has focused massively on cosmetic surgery procedures rather than reconstructive ones. This type of advertising is having negative effects on society by increasing the number of needless procedures, changing the true meaning of beauty, and harming females’ self-esteem.
In conclusion, the benefits of cosmetic surgery differ between people and situations; any negative thoughts of others may have an effect on a person’s decision to have a procedure done, but it is for the patient to decide if changing their body is the right decision for them. Regardless of the influences on the younger generation, unrealistic ideologies of patients, and moral issues others may have, plastic surgery will continue to be a huge part of society. However, society should be focusing on how to encourage others to seek happiness in whatever they seem fit, rather than choose to destroy the aspirations of others who choose to build a perfect body for
Most of us don't like some aspect of our appearance, whether it's sagging eyes or excess weight in particular areas, to name a few complaints. Lately a record numbers of Americans are doing something about it by having plastic surgery. Since 1995, the number of cosmetic procedures, which range from liposuction to facelifts, has almost tripled (English 23). Is that a healthy choice-or a dangerous trend? Aging has become the field of the future for plastic surgeons whose patients have reasons not always valid in the search for youth and beauty.
Having a low self-esteem can lead someone to dangerously extreme measures such as plastic surgery and liposuction. According to the President of the National Research Center for Women and Families, Diana Zuckerman states, “In 2003, more than 223 000 cosmetic procedures were performed on patients 18 years of age or younger, and almost 39 000 were surgical procedures such as nose reshaping, breast lifts, breast augmentation, liposuction, and tummy tucks.” As she continues on to discuss whether it is acceptable for teenagers to receive these kinds of surgeries she also states, “Cultural phenomena such as surgical makeovers on numerous television programs, however, make it increasingly difficult to agree on what constitutes a ‘normal’ appearance and when the desire to improve one's appearance is questionable or even crosses the line to psychopathology” (Diana Zuckerman). This is reflected in “Barbie Doll,” when the young girl is informed of her flaws so much her “good nature wore out,’ which resulted in her self-esteem being low, and in the end, she cut off her nose and legs, and offered them up. To continue, other extreme measures such as, eating disorders: anorexia and bulimia can affect children and adults of all ages, with proper diagnosis and treatment, recovery is possible.
To many, the notion of a teenager undergoing plastic surgery is appalling and unbelievable. For others, such as eleven-year-old Julia, a nose job was able to help her lead a happier and more normal life. To eighteen-year-old Kristen a breast augmentation is a traditional rite of passage of the family. She claims that she “just wanted to look normal,” and that after surgery, she does. (Sweeny, 2009) In these types of cases, cosmetic surgery can be beneficial to the confidence of teenagers in what Ann Kearney-Cooke calls “an epidemic of low self-esteem among girls.” (Sweeney, 2009) Whether it is a physical deformity, such as protruding ears, or simply a lack of something that other peers have, such as large breasts, cosmetic surgery can help teenagers cope with self-worth in a world where beauty is ridiculously selective. However, aside from the confidence-boosting possibilities resulting from teen cosmetic surgery, there are many reasons why it should not be taken lightly for an adolescent. Although cosmetic surgery can potentially be beneficial, there are also many extreme risks for teenagers, including medical complications and in some rare cases death, and thus should be solely a last resort after meticulous analysis for serious cases. Furthermore, neither the adolescent brain nor body is even fully developed.
Some people’s obsession with plastic surgery is obviously getting out of control. It starts with only getting one thing fixed or corrected but then quickly escalates and before you know it, a face that once was all-flesh turns into plastic. According to a study conducted by Nigel Mercer (2009), “The number of official cosmetic surgeries has more than tripled to 34,000 since 2003”. The two reasons why plastic surgery should be banned are because of its high health risks, and because of the additional pressure it puts on people to look picture-perfect.
Nowadays, since the number of procedures increases, cosmetic surgery has rapidly developed all over the world. According to an annual report of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) in 2015, the United States is the biggest market of cosmetic surgery in the world. Near 16 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S. in 2015, with the five most common surgeries being breast augmentation, nose reshaping, eyelid surgery, liposuction and tummy tuck (“Plastic Surgery Procedures”).
Wolgemuth, L. (2011). People Have Cosmetic Surgery to Make More Money. In R. Espejo (Ed.), Opposing Viewpoints. Cosmetic Surgery. Detroit: Greenhaven Press. Retrieved April 6, 2014, from Opposing Viewpoints in Context database.
Cosmetic Surgery is a great discovery that has been around for many centuries. “The history of plastic surgery origins in the early 800 B.C. when surgeons in India restored noses to persons who had them taken off as a form of punishment.” (History of Cosmetic Surgery, 2008) Many people have used over the years cosmetic and reconstructive surgery to enhance their physical appearance weather it be for health problems associated with birth defect or problems that they have developed over the years or to even alter physical appearances for instance nose jobs and tummy tucks. There are numerous types of cosmetic surgery that can be done today in the United States, over the year’s surgeons techniques have improved dramatically. There are a number of pro’s and con’s that go along with cosmetic surgery, such as the amount of recovery time and the initial cost of surgery. Statistics also show that cosmetic surgery has grown so rapidly over the years it is phenomenal people who receive cosmetic surgery goes up by the millions every year. While there can be many related health risks due to cosmetic sugary, many times cosmetic surgery is necessary and its is made more affordable than thought to be.
Teen cosmetic surgery is very common in today’s society. The standards are set very high for teenagers of recent generations. Social media and celebrities have a large amount of blame for the percentage of teen plastic surgeries. Since the media has placed substantial pressure on the physical features of young women, teenage females today are bearing in mind treatments that could cause them possible harm in the future; therefore, young girls should be taught self-confidence at a young age.
“The Hidden Dangers Of Cosmetic Surgery.” Forbes. 16 06 2011: n. page. Web. The Web.