| More and more, society places a high value on | | | | Physically, the minimum age for cosmetic surgery |
| physical appearance. While good looks have been | | | | differs from procedure to procedure. For some |
| admired and coveted for thousands of years, in recent | | | | procedures, such as Rhinoplasty (nose job), patients |
| history the emphasis on physical attractiveness has | | | | can receive the surgery at a fairly young age. For |
| increased. So much of what we are influenced by is | | | | Rhinoplasty, the minimum age of potential patients is 13 |
| what --and who-- we see in movies, television, | | | | or 14 for girls, and 14 or 15 for boys. Another popular |
| magazines, and even on the Internet. And the people | | | | procedure, Otoplasty, which reshapes deformed ears |
| we see in the media are becoming more and more | | | | or pins back protruding ears, can be performed on |
| perfect, with airbrushing and stylists and "starve | | | | patients as young as four years of age. |
| yourself to perfection" diets. If you're not perfect, you | | | | There are many procedures, however, that are not |
| don't fit. | | | | appropriate for people who are not fully grown. Many |
| Unfortunately, most of us were not born perfect. For | | | | of these are popular procedures that shape the body. |
| many people, this can be a painful reality to face, | | | | Liposuction, for instance, reduces the amount of fat in |
| especially if that person has a particular feature they're | | | | the body. This is inappropriate for teenagers, as many |
| not happy with. And nobody is affected more by | | | | people lose their "baby fat" at 17, 18, and even 19 years |
| concerns about their physical appearance than | | | | old. Another of the most-requested procedures that is |
| teenagers. Teen self image is especially delicate, and | | | | generally inappropriate for teens is breast |
| teens are particularly prone to feeling unhappy with the | | | | augmentation. Unless the procedure is used to make |
| face (or body) they see in the mirror. | | | | breasts more symmetrical, it is not recommended that |
| Cosmetic surgery can be a good option for those who | | | | girls under 19 or 20 undergo the procedure, as their |
| are unhappy with their current appearance. But for | | | | breasts are still growing. |
| teenagers, the line between an appropriate procedure | | | | In addition to concerns about growing and changing |
| to improve self image and an inappropriate procedure | | | | bodies, surgeons must also look into a potential |
| can be blurry. How young is too young for cosmetic | | | | patient's mental state. Are they emotionally ready for |
| surgery? How can you tell if your teenager is ready? | | | | this life change? Many teenagers have a difficult time |
| When determining if a patient is the right age for | | | | being consistent about what they want, and |
| cosmetic surgery, doctors look at it from two angles-- | | | | sometimes their gripes about their appearance are tied |
| the effect the surgery will have on the patient | | | | in more deeply with their self-esteem than with their |
| physically, and the effect it will have emotionally. | | | | physical attributes. |