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Chase Falk
Ms. Gardner
Honors English 10, Period 1
7 May 2014
Cosmetic Surgery:
Crushing the Confidence and Differences Among Teens
A study completed by the American Society of Plastic
Surgeons, or ASPS, revealed that over 219,000 cosmetic surgeries were performed on
teenagers, ages 13-19, in 2012 (Plastic Surgery For Teenagers Briefing Paper). These
results showed an astonishing jump, increasing by over 80,000 since 2005. The American
Board of Cosmetic Surgery describes cosmetic surgery as a unique discipline of medicine
focused on enhancing appearance through surgical and medical techniques (Cosmetic
Surgery vs. Plastic Surgery). As this practice becomes more common in society, more
teenagers across the world are turning to it to gain the confidence and happiness that they
desire. There are no laws regarding this subject, other than the fact that teens must have
parental consent before undergoing surgeries, but going through surgeries purely for
appearance enhancing is unnecessary and dangerous. The authorization of cosmetic
surgery amongst people who are under the age of 18 should be illegal because teenagers
arent mature enough to make their own decisions about their bodies, there are many
health risks that come from these surgeries, and altering your own appearance is simply
immoral.
One reason that many perceive cosmetic surgery as a plus for teenagers is because it
can help boost their self-esteem. Cosmetic surgeons like Adel Soliman explain that cosmetic
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surgery can restore self-confidence, as well as give teens a bit of edge (Carroll). Bullies are
also a huge factor in the cosmetic world, and with cruel kids surrounding our society,
cosmetic surgery seems to be the only way to get out of being tormented. Dr. Tom
Buonassisi, a Vancouver facial plastic surgery specialist, views cosmetic surgery at a young
age as a positive and says that doing it at an early age will give them more time to enjoy all
the advantages (Blackwell). To summarize, people like cosmetic surgeons, bullied teens,
parents, and insecure teens may see cosmetic surgery as a way to boost self-confidence and
a happier life. Sure, teenagers are bullied everyday for the way they look; however, why
should teens live up to the bullies and give them exactly what they want? Teenagers should
not let their own and others juvenile feelings about themselves affect them because their
brains and bodies are developing, and their thoughts and looks may change.
Cosmetic surgery could erase teenagers insecurities; nevertheless, teenagers are
still maturing, and therefore, they could completely transform how they feel about their
body, or could end up physically changing and looking the way they desire. In the book In
Stitches, author Dr. Anthony Youn writes, Women can go their entire life with small
breasts and be happy and normal (4). Teens may think they know exactly what they want,
but the brain isnt fully developed until around the age 21. A psychology professor at Boise
State University, Mary Pritchard, explains that research shows that teens who get cosmetic
surgery only obtain their improved self esteem for a year or even less, and then theyre
right back to where they started, or sometimes even worse (Collins). Diana Zuckerman,
President of the National Research Center for Women and Families, states that a
longitudinal study showed most adolescents who are dissatisfied with their appearance but
do not undergo cosmetic surgery will become satisfied within a few years later
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(Zuckerman). Based on these findings, cosmetic surgery barely improves self-esteem and
proves to be unnecessary in a teenagers life. If cosmetic surgery barely affects the
confidence for the better in teenagers, and sometimes makes it worse, than why should
society allow for them to undertake these surgeries? Teenagers should wait until they are
at least 21 to make an accurate decision as to if they want to undergo cosmetic operations,
and even then, the surgeries are far too risky for anyone to consider.
The numerous health risks of cosmetic surgery outdo the small and improvable
fortunes, and when one looks into the dangers of cosmetic surgery, it seems impossible to
support the approval in this act. Zuckerman explains the health risks in her article Body
Image. For instance, studies by implant manufactures report that most women have at
least one serious complication within their first three years of breast surgery. These
complications include infection, loss of nipple sensation, hematomas and seromas, and
hypertrophic scarring. Breast Augmentation can also interfere with mammography and
increase the possibility of insufficient lactation when breast-feeding. Other cosmetic
surgeries, like liposuction, carry out many serious risks as well. The list of potential risks of
this operation spirals from tiny infections to deep tissue damage and fluid accumulation in
the lungs. Cosmetic surgery also affects teenagers mentally; in fact, a new study by Tilmann
von Soest and colleagues at Norwegian Social Research found that teens that decide to
undergo cosmetic surgery tend to become more anxious, more depressed, and more prone
to suicide than those who do not (Ladegaard). Associate Professor Ingela Lundin Kvalem
seems to agree with this study, saying Those who get cosmetic surgery have more
problems then others, and after the surgeries, their symptoms of depression, anxiety,
eating disorders and excessive alcohol consumption have increased (Ladegaard). Teens
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obsessed with his or her own body image may suffer from a body dysmorphic disorder,
which occurring beside depression or anxiety can end up severely impairing someone
(Collins). Overall, the harmful, physical, and mental risks that come with cosmetic surgery
are far too dangerous. If these surgeries have this many threats to it, than why should we
let young teenagers undergo them? These hazardous operations are unneeded in the
human race because they create many risks that will substantially ruin society.
Ultimately, cosmetic surgery should not become allowed among teens because it is
simply immoral. Teenagers should learn to love themselves and not have to live up to the
expectations that social media and other sources seem to want. An alternative option to
cosmetic surgery is to develop the confidence and character needed to direct your youth
with respect for yourself. Dr. Jeffrey Spiegel, chief of the Division of Facial Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery at Boston University Medical Center, agrees that cosmetic surgery
is not the answer to teenagers problems revolving insecurities, and rationalizes that people
get negative feedback their entire life, and it cant always be fixed by a plastic surgeon
(Collins). Teenagers should learn to cope with hurtful comments early in their lives. Vivian
Diller, a clinical psychologist in New York, views cosmetic surgery as an ick factor that
puts responsibility on the victim, teenagers, to alter something about themselves
(Krishnan). Based on these opinions, instead of offering teenagers a method to solve their
insecure problems, we should encourage a larger tolerance of differences among teens.
Teens are losing respect for themselves and who they really are. Its time to band together
and remember that we dont have to change the way we look to feel accepted by society.
Maturing still, risking your health, and not gaining any respect; these reasons
support the illegalization of cosmetic surgery and prove the wrongdoing in this act of pure
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adolescence. This practice is taking away the differences and the confidence among teens. If
we let teen cosmetic surgery become a common trend, then a domino affect will eventually
fall. The new ugly will be the old nose job. Everyone will try to outdo each other with their
cosmetic surgeries. What will normal look like? Will it even be acceptable for children to
look the way they do now?












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Works Cited
Blackwell, Tom. "Young Under the Knife." National Post. 10 Sep. 2011: A.5. SIRS Issues
Researcher. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.
Carroll, Lucy. "Doctors Seek Ban on Cosmetic Surgery for Under-18s." Sydney Morning
Herald. 22 Jul. 2013: 1. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.
Collins, Lois M. "Teens Turn to Plastic Surgery." Deseret News. 12 Mar. 2013: n.p. SIRS Issues
Researcher. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.
Cosmetic Surgery vs. Plastic Surgery." American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. N.p., n.d. Web.
06 May 2014.
Plastic Surgery For Teenagers Briefing Paper." Plastic Surgery & Teenagers. N.p., n.d. Web.
07 May 2014.
Zuckerman, Diana. "Body Image." - Teenagers and Cosmetic Surgery. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May
2014
Ladegaard, Isak. "Mental Health Problems Worsen with Cosmetic Surgery."
Sciencenordic.com. N.p., 04 July 2014. Web. 08 May 2014.