‘Under the Knife’ And Under Age

There were more than 76,000 cosmetic surgery procedures performed on teens in 2011. In fact, recent findings reveal cosmetic procedures have risen 30% during the past decade, according to data cited by Dr. Cynthia Elliott, owner of Skinspirations, a Tampa Bay, FL nonsurgical cosmetic facility.

Dr. Elliott warns against children undergoing both surgical and minimally invasive procedures as their bodies, as well as their understanding of the inherent risks, are still developing.

While surgical procedures are most common among teens, many also seek laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels, dermabrasions and even Botox injections.  And though research into the dangers of cosmetic procedures performed on children under the age of 18 is limited, the physical and emotional risks are numerous, according to Dr. Elliott.

“While adults tend to want to stand out or turn back the clock, teenagers typically seek cosmetic procedures to better fit in,” Dr. Elliott said. “But adolescents fail to understand that their bodies are still maturing, and the results they desire may occur naturally as they grow. Because they’re also still growing emotionally, the appearance goal they have now may be entirely different from what they hope to look like a year or two from now.”

More info: www.skinspirations.com