Cosmetic Surgery for Teenagers and Young Adults

Plastic surgeons may not always be in favor of performing certain cosmetic procedures on teenagers and young adults, but there is a growing demand for cosmetic surgery among this age group. Learn more about the pros and cons of undergoing plastic surgery at a young age.

Teenagers

Most physicians recommend that teenagers wait to undergo plastic surgery procedures until they have reached 18, the age of consent; however, certain cosmetic procedures may be performed on teenagers and even children when there is really a need for it. Otoplasty, or ear pinning is a procedure that can be performed on children as young as age six and is popular for teenagers as well. The benefits of this procedure are immense for young boys and girls who are teased about protruding ears. In this case the benefits of undergoing the procedure at a young age far outweigh any risks.

Rhinoplasty is another cosmetic procedure that can be performed on teenagers. Plastic surgeons generally recommend waiting to undergo rhinoplasty surgery until the nose is fully developed, which generally occurs by age 16. While this procedure can be very beneficial for a well-informed patient, younger patients often have unrealistic expectations concerning the outcome of rhinoplasty surgery and may not be prepared for the recovery involved.

Many younger female patients age 14 and above seek breast reduction as teenagers to alleviate many painful physical and emotional problems associated with having overly large breasts.
Most plastic surgeons are in favor of performing this procedure early on for teenage girls as long as they have reached full development. The procedure has an extremely high satisfaction rate, particularly for younger patients.

Twenties

Undoubtedly the most popular procedure among women in their twenties is breast augmentation. There are also a variety of non-surgical cosmetic procedures that plastic surgeons may recommend for patients in their twenties, including microdermabrasion, laser leg vein treatment, IPL photofacial, sclerotherapy, and in some cases BOTOX injections.

Most plastic surgeons do not recommend that patients in their twenties undergo skin tightening procedures such as facelift surgery; however, BOTOX treatment for the earliest signs of aging such as fine lines near the eyes and forehead wrinkling has become very popular among younger women. Facial fillers are also becoming very trendy for younger women including high profile celebrities. One of the primary benefits of fillers for younger patients is that they can experiment with cosmetic augmentation without having to commit to a permanent change.

Undergoing plastic surgery procedures such as tummy tuck, face lift, and eyelid surgery can improve both your appearance and self-confidence; consult a surgeon to find out if you are a good candidate for treatment.