Which Plastic Surgery Procedures Are Safe for Teens?
By Gregory Mantooth | Published on March 12, 2010 | 0 Comments
Although teenagers are not considered ideal candidates for every type of cosmetic surgery, there are certain surgical procedures that are appropriate for this particular age group. Dr. Gregory A. Mantooth is a board certified plastic surgeon at Piedmont Plastic Surgery & Dermatology in Charlotte, North Carolina, and according to him, it’s not uncommon for teenagers to undergo procedures that are focused around the head and neck areas.
One of the most common cosmetic procedures among teenagers is rhinoplasty, otherwise known as the nose job. Since a large or protruding nose can turn an otherwise decent-looking profile into one that is a source of shame, many teens today are choosing to undergo rhinoplasty during periods of transition in their lives. Typically, a teenager who is unhappy with his natural nose will get a nose job during the summer between middle and high school, or between high school and college. This way, they can arrive at their new educational destination feeling confident about the way they look. It also makes sense for teens to undergo rhinoplasty during transitional periods of their lives to make the visual evolution aspect a lot smoother and less obvious to those around them.
Another popular cosmetic procedure among teens involves reshaping the ears. Though perhaps not as widespread as rhinoplasty, ear reshaping is a good solution for teenagers with prominent ears that stick out in an unsightly fashion. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a teenager to complain that the rest of his head simply hasn’t yet caught up with his oversized ears. By using a fairly simple procedure, a good plastic surgeon can bring a set of prominent ears back in towards the face, thereby giving the patient a more natural-looking contour.
While rhinoplasty and ear reshaping are options that are both appropriate for teens, certain procedures Dr. Mantooth will not offer to his younger patients. Procedures like body contouring and breast augmentation can be tricky and troublesome to perform on a teenage body, as patient development is not necessarily complete at this point in time. Since breast augmentation in particular requires that the body be fully grown and developed for optimal results, Dr. Mantooth feels that a good plastic surgeon should be quick to discourage this type of procedure for those who aren’t yet adults. Of course, the extent to which the body has finished developing at a certain age can differ from individual to individual, but for the most part, most people’s bodies are still evolving until they turn 19 or 20. Therefore, Dr. Mantooth prefers to reserve procedures, such as breast augmentation for the 21 and over crowd.
While certain types of plastic surgery are medically appropriate for teens, it is not uncommon for a teenager to look towards plastic surgery as an answer to a larger social problem. As a result, it’s important that surgeons who work with teens take the time to talk to their patients and make sure that they are pursuing cosmetic surgery for the right reasons. After all, a slightly modified nose might work wonders for a person’s profile, but it’s not going to do much to cure someone of their general teenage angst. Therefore, plastic surgeons who deal with teens really do need to break out the kid gloves every once in awhile; because after all is said and done, teenagers, for the most part, are still only children at heart.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
Tags: medical spas, plastic surgery, teenagers, teens
Related Articles
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.