It is not news that the body ideals promoted in advertisements and in Hollywood can greatly impact how young people see their own bodies. To add to this, there have been these new reality shows in the last few years like The Swan, focusing specifically on perfecting the look of the participant, often taking drastic measures. This is not helping young people feel good about who they are naturally. And the numbers show that teens are getting this message loud and clear.

The number of teens who choose to get plastic surgery is on the rise. According to the ASPS, over 333,000 people 18 years and younger had plastic surgery in 2005.

Ultimately, plastic surgery has become more available to the average person, including teens. This makes surgical fixes seem like an easy option to young people to deal with issues they have about their bodies.

Most importantly, if you or someone you know is considering getting plastic, take it seriously and do your research. And if you are concerned about this increase in teen’s getting plastic surgery, this is a great thing to start a dialogue with your friends about. A good starting place for more info is kidshealth.org

By the way, do you think plastic surgery is a breeze? Here's what many docs won't tell you about....

· The anesthesia dangers include blood clots, heart attacks, brain damage, stroke and even death.

· The chance of asymmetry - the outcome looks crooked, only fixable with a second surgery.

· Numbness - when nerves have been cut, you lose the feeling in that area, either temporarily or permanently.

· Dimples, puckers and other irregularities - sometimes, this happens because of a doctor's error or just your body's reaction. This also can be permanent.

Sources:
kidshealth.org

Girl’s Life, “About Face”