This is a tough one. When it comes to plastic surgery, we often say, “the patient knows what they want,” but when it comes to teenagers, is this really the case?
How can you know that the cosmetic or reconstructive plastic surgery your teen is asking for is the right choice for them?
In this article, expert facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jose Barrera weighs in on teen plastic surgery by looking at the different reasons people get plastic surgery, the life-long implications of getting plastic surgery, and different scenarios to consider
Why Would a Teen Get Plastic Surgery?
To answer the question “is my teen too young for plastic surgery?”, our most important consideration is to get to the root of why your teen wants plastic surgery in the first place.
This will determine the type of plastic surgery they are after and help decide whether they’re too young for the procedure.
For most people, plastic surgery is a way to improve their self-confidence by changing some physical aspect of their body. This might be due to a congenital disability, an accident, or genetics that gave the patient some part of their body they feel leaves them physically inferior to their peers.
The Life-Long Implications of Plastic Surgery
Regardless of the type of plastic surgery your teen is asking for, they likely don’t have a genuine appreciation for the life-long impact a surgical procedure at such a young age has. For many teen patients, peer pressure is one of the most common reasons leading to a desire for plastic surgery – and peer pressure is absolutely no reason to get surgery.
On the other hand, if your teen desires plastic or reconstructive surgery for some physical trait that makes them unable to live their life to the fullest, then the life-long impacts will likely be beneficial.
Different Scenarios to Consider
Facial surgeries are among the most desired aesthetic plastic surgery procedures by teens, particularly rhinoplasty, otoplasty, and surgical lip augmentation. What’s most important to make your teen realize is that any step they take now might be difficult and costly to undo in the future. It’s true that the body and face are likely almost fully formed by 18-19 years old, but teens even younger than this are asking for plastic surgery, even before their bone structure has reached final form.
One of the most important considerations is that changing something that isn’t fully formed could result in an uncertain outcome.
Teen Plastic Surgery in San Antonio, TX
Knowing whether your teen is asking for plastic surgery for the right reasons can be difficult. This is why it is worth considering having them speak confidentially with Dr. Barrera, a leading reconstructive and aesthetic facial plastic surgeon in San Antonio, TX. Talking to someone outside the family, especially someone with Dr. Barrera’s level of experience, can help shed light on tricky and sensitive subjects.
Dr. Barrera prides himself on his patient satisfaction and the personalized, caring approach he takes to dealing with each and every patient on their own unique individual basis. Dr. Barrera will be honest with you and your teen and recommend whether surgery is a viable option or not.
Simply call (210) 468-5426 or fill out Dr. Barreras’ online form to discuss how we can improve your life today.
