To date, many countries including the US require patients to be at least 18 years old before they can undergo breast implant surgery.  But take note that this age requirement generally applies if you will have the procedure solely for cosmetic purpose—e.g., you want to increase your bust size.

By contrast, age requirement is not important if you will have the procedure as a way to treat developmental abnormalities.

You have to remember that patients between 18 and 21 can only have saline implants which are filled with a sterile saltwater solution.  But when you reach the age of 22, you would be allowed to use silicone implants during your breast augmentation surgery.

The main reason why silicone implants require a higher age limit is because of the risk of rupture.  To prevent serious complications, you will be required to undergo MRI screening at least every two years.  By contrast, you will not need this if your implants are filled with saline, which in case of a leak, can be safely absorbed by your body, though your breasts will immediately appear somewhat “flat.”

While 18 years old can already have breast augmentation, many plastic surgeons believe that a woman should wait until she has reached her twenties because there is a likelihood that her breasts will further enlarge.

Imagine that if your breasts become larger after having plastic surgery, you may end up with a bust size bigger than what you really want.  While you can always have revisions to downsize your implants or even remove them without replacement, this means additional expenses and possibly more scarring.

If you decide to have breast augmentation in your teenage years, you will likely need revisions sooner than later.  Take note that breast implants are not designed to last a lifetime and are subjected to the natural wear and tear.

According to a data collected by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 65 percent of breast implant surgeries were performed on patients aged between 20 and 38, a clear indication that most women waited until their body has fully matured before they had the procedure.

The main reason why silicone breast implants require a higher age limit is that they pose risk in the event of rupture or leak.  For this reason, you have to undergo regular MRI screening to detect any “silent leak.”

By contrast, the examination is not necessary if you will choose the saline implants because in the event of implant failure, your breasts will deflate within hours after the rupture, thus allowing you to seek revisions right away.

Generally speaking, female patients under the age of 18 cannot have breast augmentation surgery unless there is an issue of breast deformity.  The problem with younger people is that their body is still maturing and they may not yet fully understand the ramifications of cosmetic plastic surgery.

It is important to note that even if you are flat-chested at the age of 15, there is still a chance that your breasts will enlarge as years pass by.  And with large implants and ongoing breast development, you may end up having oversized busts that look unnatural and asymmetric to the rest of your body.

Another concern is that patients below the age of 18 are not emotionally mature.  In fact, a study has suggested that teenagers see cosmetic surgery as a way to fit into their crowd.  By contrast, adults seek the procedure to stand out from the rest.

As mentioned earlier, your plastic surgeon may allow you to have breast augmentation at a younger age if you are suffering from certain types of deformity including tuberous breasts in which they appear too pointy because of the unusual structure of their base.

Breast augmentation performed at a younger age may also be necessary if you develop a very large breast on one side while the other is too small or even “absent.”  In general, age is not an issue in reconstructive plastic surgery.

While the US is quite strict when it comes to cosmetic breast augmentation, certain countries allow the procedure on patients as young as 16.  This lower age limit is not acceptable to many American surgeons who believe that the body should be allowed to mature first before any aesthetic or elective surgery is conducted.

By contrast, cosmetic rhinoplasty surgery requires patients to be at least 14 years old or slightly older when dealing with males (as their nasal structure takes longer than girls to become fully matured).  In this way, the results after surgery are less likely to change as the years pass by.

Aside from physical issues, patients younger than 14 are not yet emotionally mature to fully understand the ramifications of cosmetic plastic surgery, which in turn makes them a bad candidate in the first place.

According to a previous study, teenagers have a different view of cosmetic.  While adults see this as a way to stand out from the rest of their peers, younger people seek this to fit into their crowd.

It is safe to say that 16 is already an ideal age to have nose jobs as long as the teenagers are emotionally mature and they have realistic goals and expectations.  As any self-respecting doctor would say, “there is no point of conducting aesthetic surgery if it would not elicit a smile from a patient.”

But as mentioned earlier, reconstructive rhinoplasty does not have an age requirement especially if a patient is experiencing breathing problems and severe deformities. In fact, most doctors will likely address the issues as soon as possible so an individual can live a more normal life.

Either performed for reconstructive or cosmetic reasons, nose surgery is a relatively safe procedure because it does not involve major blood vessels and organs.  However, there are still some risks, although usually minor or at least can be easily treated.

While most teenagers can return to school just a week to 10 days after their nose surgery, some residual swelling and bruising (which can be covered up with make-up) can last for a couple of months.  Also, they can resume most of their daily life’s activities within four to six weeks.

Meanwhile, older patients can also enjoy the benefits of rhinoplasty surgery; but unlike teenagers and young adults, they often seek to regain the youthful appearance of their nose rather than change it dramatically.  This is not surprising since those in their 40s and 50s already have a well-imprinted body image.

However, the girl’s mother started to be alarmed when she caught her trying to staple her ears.  That’s when she decided to consult a facial plastic surgeon.

In November 2011, the girl had otoplasty in which her ears were pinned back to make them look smaller and in harmony with her face.  Just after the procedure, her self-esteem has improved dramatically and the bullying has stop—of course it all happened after the school authorities had intervened.

While her story has a happy ending, it is important to remember that plastic surgery is not a quick fix to everything although it can prevent or at least heal emotional scars caused by teasing and name-calling.  For this reason, some doctors even recommend “intervention” while the patient is still young.

Otoplasty is particularly ideal for children, although adults can also have this procedure.  However, one consideration to make is that older patients’ cartilage is less flexible than kids, making the procedure more challenging to perform.

As much as possible, the request to have otoplasty should come from children themselves.  It should not be forced upon them because not all kids are bothered with their appearance; in fact, I’ve known someone who can deal with teasing that her bullies were the ones who ended up crying.

However, severe deformities caused by accidents or congenital abnormalities should be addressed as soon as possible in order to improve body function, achieve a more normal appearance, and allow the patients live a normal life.

While reconstructive plastic surgeries can be performed at any age, this is not the case in cosmetic procedures in which the sole purpose is to improve one’s appearance.  First and foremost, these require both emotional and physical maturity to achieve the best result possible.

For instance, cosmetic breast augmentation cannot be performed on patients younger than 18.  Unlike otoplasty which is a relatively simple procedure, this is a major surgery that involves potential risks—something which may not be fully understood by children and teenagers.

As mentioned earlier, plastic surgery cannot solve all our problems or prevent bullies from making harsh remarks.  But if performed to the right candidate, this can have a positive impact on one’s self-esteem and body image.

The survey, which involved 810 children, has shown that half of girls and a third of boys are considering “extreme measures” such as plastic surgery in an effort to achieve a “perfect body”, which is defined by celebrities they see on TV.  Researchers said the finding was troubling as it shows that kids appear to be increasingly insecure about their physical appearance.

In addition, the survey has suggested that one in eight girls consider taking laxatives and diet pills to achieve a slimmer figure while one in ten boys said they would take steroids to get a more muscular body.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Central YMCA chief executive Rosi Prescott said “quick fixes are increasingly becoming a trend”, something which he described as “unhealthy and unfulfilling.”

Prescott also noted that body image issue, which used to be only prevalent among young girls, is now affecting boys.

He attributed the alarming trend to the “growing pressure on young people to conform to unrealistic body image ideal” which is often determined by television, movies, magazines, and Internet and other forms of digital media.

With the pressure to look “unbelievably” beautiful or skinny, some children as young as five have been previously reported to suffer from anorexia and other forms of eating disorder.

Experts believe the fashion industry, celebrities, advertisements, and digital media are further encouraging the obsession to become thin.  They suggest that the only way to tackle the problem is to hold campaigns that would help people feel more confident and “satisfied” with their body.

The unrealistic body image ideals are also believed to be fueled by edited or “photoshopped” pictures of celebrities circulating the Internet and magazines.

Meanwhile, Oprah Winfrey was once quoted saying that she does not look like herself when she sees her magazine photos because of the “extreme photoshopping.”

And in July, a cosmetic advertisement featuring Julia Roberts was banned in UK because it was digitally altered to make her face look “unbelievably” flawless.  The ban has been imposed after one lawmaker issued a complaint stating that the “ad was very misleading to the public.”

While reconstructive plastic surgery is obviously necessary for teenagers as this will improve their body’s function, treat physical difficulties, and help them live a normal life, this is not the case for cosmetic surgery which is solely performed to improve the physical appearance.

One of the most cited reasons why teenagers should delay cosmetic plastic surgery is that their level of emotional maturity may not be enough to understand its limitations and risks.  In addition, they are prone to social pressure compared to other age groups; in fact, a study conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has shown that teens view surgery as a way to fit into their community while adults see this as a way to stand out from the crowd.

Aside from emotional maturity, another important consideration is a patient’s physical development.  According to plastic surgeons, a teenager’s body is still growing which may affect the result of cosmetic procedure, and for this reason, she will most likely need a revision treatment in later years.

For example, if rhinoplasty or “nose job” is performed on patients aged younger than 14, there is a great chance that they will undergo a revision procedure several years after their initial treatment since their nasal structure is not yet fully developed.  It is important to note that subsequent surgery is usually more expensive and complicated and involve more risks.

Because the natural development of the body may affect the result of a particular cosmetic procedure, plastic surgeons consider the age of their patients and usually turn down anyone who will not meet this requirement.  For instance, breast augmentation surgery through the use of saline implants require a person to be at least 18, or 21 years old if she will have the silicone version.

In liposuction treatment, most doctors also require their patients to be at least older than 20 since some people just appear plump because of their “baby fats” which usually disappear in later years.  But in some cases, this procedure is given to male teenagers who are suffering from gynecomastia, a condition in which their breasts become enlarged due to the excess fats, skin, and/or tissue.

If the rhinoplasty is performed for aesthetic reasons, doctors recommend patients to wait until they reach the age of 14 for females and slightly older for males to make sure that their nasal structure has stopped growing.  In this way, the result of the plastic surgery will most likely last a lifetime.

While nose surgery can be performed several times, patients should remember that revision plastic surgery is more challenging and involves more risk than the initial procedure since the scar tissue inside the nose makes the skin thicker and harder to work with.  For this reason, most surgeons require consultation and physical examination to determine the eligibility of patients for this procedure.

However, the age limitation is usually not applicable if rhinoplasty is performed for reconstructive purposes such as treating breathing problems, congenital defects, abnormal growth, and traumatic injuries.

In most cases, plastic surgeons alter the appearance of the nose by rearranging the nasal cartilage and bone without introducing synthetic materials such as silicone plastic and Medpore which involve rejection risk and other complications.  But in case that there is not enough supply of such tissues inside the nose, they may graft these in other parts of the body such as behind the ear, rib, and pelvis.

Cartilage and bone grafting is a favorable technique since there is no risk of rejection, although patients have to undergo another surgery to graft these tissues, which means additional risks and scarring.

For patients who want to avoid additional surgery, plastic surgeons will usually recommend Gore-tex which is said to be the safest synthetic material used in rhinoplasty surgery.  This is proven by a recent study showing that its rejection rate is only 1.9 percent, significantly lower compared to silicone plastic, Medpore, and other synthetic materials.

Aside from its safety, Gore-tex generally provides a natural appearance as its porous structure allows the tissue to grown inside, thus becoming part of the nose.  And because the biocompatible material is soft, it can be easily molded into the desired shape unlike Medpore and silicone plastic which are hard.

Aside from using implants (either natural or synthetic), rhinoplasty plastic surgery may also involve suturing techniques and dermal fat removal particularly if the nasal tip needs some alterations.

For example, otoplasty which is a plastic surgery used to pin back the ears can be performed on patients as young as five.  Ideally, this procedure is conducted on children and teenagers because their tissue is easier to work with compared to adults.  But still, some patients choose to have this procedure in later years.

In case the ears of a child are extremely deformed, his parents can decide on his behalf.  But in the situation of a mild aesthetic problem, most plastic surgeons believe that it is better for parents to wait for their kids to ask for any medical intervention since not all them are bothered with their appearance.

To know if a teenager is a good candidate for plastic surgery, doctors not just perform physical examination (to determine the health status) but also discussion to explain the benefit and limitations of a certain procedure.  It is important to note that a good candidate should have realistic goals and expectations which can determine if he will be satisfied with the result.

During the discussion, plastic surgeons will also examine if their teenage patients have enough maturity that will help them cope with the temporary discomfort and downtime after a surgical procedure.  In general, cosmetic surgery is not recommended for patients who have erratic behavior, extreme mood swings, mental illness, and clinical depression.

Aside from having a stable mental and emotional health, teenage patients should also reach a certain age before they can receive a procedure, especially if performed for aesthetic reasons.  For example, cosmetic rhinoplasty (“nose job”) is only ideal for individuals who are at least 14 or 15 years old (or slightly older for male) to make sure that the result will not be affected by the physical changes in later years.

If this procedure is performed below the age limit, patients may need a revision rhinoplasty.  However, most plastic surgeons do not follow this age requirement if the surgery is going to be performed as a way to reconstruct the nose after an injury or treat breathing problems due to abnormal growth and birth defects.

But according to LA plastic surgeons, certain procedures may be given to some teenagers as long as they are considered as a good candidate.

To date, otoplasty or ear-pinning surgery is one of the most common procedures for teenage patients and may be even performed on children as young as five. This surgery is ideal for younger individuals because their ear cartilage is easier to work with compared to adults’.

If the ears are extremely deformed, parents can decide for their own children.  But in case that the ears are just sticking out, it is better for them to wait for their kids to ask for otoplasty instead of forcing them to have the procedure.  This is because some children are not really bothered with their appearance.

Rhinoplasty or “nose job” is another common procedure in US plastic surgery for teenage patients who are suffering from breathing problems, nasal injuries, birth defects, and abnormal growth.

But if the procedure is performed for aesthetic reasons, this is only given for individuals aged at least 15 or slightly older for male patients.  This is because the nasal structure is still developing below this age limit, and as a result, patients who have had the surgery will most likely receive a revision rhinoplasty in later years.

According to LA plastic surgeon Dr. Tarick Smaili, revision nose-surgery is usually more expensive and complicated compared to the initial procedure since the cartilage has already been manipulated and the tissue and skin have become thicker and harder to work with.

Another popular procedure for teenagers in US plastic surgery is gynecomastia or male breast reduction.  In this surgical approach, doctors create incisions around the edge of areola, along the breast crease, or in the natural folds of the skin to remove the excess tissue and skin.

If needed, plastic surgeons also perform liposuction in conjunction with gynecomastia surgery.  In this way, they can remove the bulging fats in the male breast to further make it smaller.

However, most doctors require their male patients who are still in their puberty stage to wait for a few years since the condition may resolve on its own.

Happy Teen

The secret to any business is finding a need and filling it.

Ditto for books!

It’s no secret that more and more teens are having cosmetic plastic surgery as time goes on and rejuvenation surgery becomes more widespread. Almost 166,000 went under the knife last year so apparently, a lot of parents asking if it’s O.K.

At first blush, you gotta ask: what 16-year-old needs a facelift?

But there is much more to it, writes New York City plastic surgeon Fredrick N. Lukash who penned The Safe and Sane Guide to Teenage Plastic Surgery (BenBella Books, Nov. 2010.)

(Read more about the plastic surgery book.)

As it turns out, there are quite a few 16-year-olds who need plastic surgery to live a normal life.

After all, kids younger than that go under the knife. Most cosmetic plastic surgeons – and educators! – recommend that five-year-olds with big, stand-out ears, have their ears pinned back (technically, an otoplasty) before starting school.

Why?

Kids are merciless in their teasing. A child starting school with ears that stick out like Dumbo will be known for life as, well, Dumbo. The same thing happens to big nose kids who are nicknamed Parrot Beak or Pinocchio.

Kinda takes your mind off learning, huh?  Ditto for teens with:

• Teen girls with very small – or no – breasts
• “      “      “   gigantic breasts
• Teen boys with gynecomastia – large breasts

But then, again, it can be carried to ridiculous lengths. MTV offered plastic surgery to the winner of “I want a Famous Face” contest even though the professional plastic surgery organizations ban awarding surgery as a contest prize.

A bny teen waving a fan magazine with Brad Pitt on the cover while asking a plastic surgeon to be made to look like the star — or some other celebrity — will quickly be shown the door. Provided the surgeon has a conscience, that is.

During 2009, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic surgery says teens under 18 had:

• 2954 breast augmentations
• 2983 breast reductions
• 1612 gynecomastia surgeries
• 9659 Otoplasty procedures
• 17,090 nose jobs
• 131,792 other cosmetic procedures

According to Dr. Lukash, the bottom line is:  teens need to fit in with everybody else their age. Adult plastic surgery patients, however, want to restore the appearance they once had.

Besides, teens that are constantly razzed about their appearances may not develop any self-confidence nor have friends.