More Teens Opt for Cosmetic Procedures

More kids are going under the dermatologist’s knife. More than 160,000 teenagers age 18 or younger received some type of cosmetic procedure in 2008, a number that at least one dermatologist says is revolting. Dr. Seth Forman says physicians should not be performing cosmetic surgery on children.

“The focus on cosmetics at the teen years is revolting,” said Forman. “It is the time in a person’s life when parents, teachers and siblings can focus on what really makes someone important; who they are on the inside, not their appearance on the outside.”

The statistics, released by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, show some of the more popular procedures among teens include laser hair removal, rhinoplasty (nose reconstruction) and breast augmentation. All of these are procedures Forman says can do more harm than good.

“We are not certain when someone stops developing,” he points out. “What if a girl gets breast implants then develops a few years later? Microdermabrasion for acne is also a bad idea. Who is to say the patient won’t have the same acne flare-up and scars a year or two later.”

Despite the economy, the cosmetic surgery industry is still booming. 1.7 million procedures were performed in 2008. Dr. Forman says while some procedures may be necessary for patients, it should rarely be an option for teenagers.

“Unless the child has a large birthmark that is causing serious psychological distress, I see no point or benefit to performing cosmetic procedures on children,” he said.