Plastic surgery for younger children and teenagers is not typically about correcting wrinkles, sagging skin, or anything else caused by age, sun, gravity, or all the things that normally are brought to mind when thinking of plastic surgery. Plastic surgery for younger children and teenagers typically focuses on correcting a functional or structural abnormality of the face or body in an effort to fit in. This is very important during this very influential and very fragile time of a teen’s social and psychological development.
Young people with physical differences such as large noses, prominent ears, or skin disorders may feel self-conscious about their differences and in cases of the extreme can even face bullying among their peers for them. Common procedures performed in adolescents include rhinoplasty, breast augmentation and gynecomastia treatment, otoplasty, and non-operative procedures including microdermabrasion, laser hair removal, and medical-grade skincare.
Popular Plastic Surgery Procedures
Rhinoplasty
Also known as a nose job, this procedure accounts for the number one sought after plastic surgery procedure amongst adolescents. Nose reshaping can be performed as early as age 15 in females and 17 in males when the nose has finished growing. Surgical rhinoplasty is one of many options available within the realm of plastic surgery that can completely renovate your face and impact your overall beauty. Some people are born with the perfect nose, and some people live with an imperfect nose. Often times an overly-imperfect nose can lead to bullying and peer humiliation.
Non-surgical Rhinoplasty is commonly done as it can be performed in the office with almost no downtime and can temporarily correct or mask a teen’s nasal hump. It is safe if done by a board-certified plastic surgeon with expertise in rhinoplasty and the use of FDA approved fillers like Restylane.
Teenagers, in particular, are at a very impressionable age and are at the stage of development where fitting in is crucial to their self-esteem. Your nose is the focal point of your face: it helps to define the midline and create beautiful symmetry. For adolescents that are insecure about the size or shape of their nose, surgical rhinoplasty or non-surgical rhinoplasty may be an excellent avenue for them to regain their confidence and prevent or usurp bullying behavior
Breast Augmentation/ Breast Reduction
Enlargement and reduction in females are sought-after procedures in adolescents. Breast procedures for females include breast lifts, breast enlargement, and breast reduction. Breast reduction for treatment of gynecomastia usually caused by hormonal imbalance.
Adolescent females seek breast reduction surgery usually related to neck and shoulder pain that can impact the quality of life for a teenager. Other reasons cited for adolescent female breast reduction surgery include undesired attention, lack of proper fitting clothing, and low self-esteem. Female breast reduction can be done between the ages of 15 and 17 or once the breasts are fully developed.
Gynecomastia or male breast enlargement, surprisingly, is present in 20 percent of males. Male breast enlargement is a source of taboo and unfortunately a large source of bullying in children. Male breast reduction treatment can be performed between the ages of 15 and 17 after the cause of enlargement is identified.
Otoplasty
Also more commonly referred to as corrective ear surgery, this procedure is often sought out to rebuild someone’s self-esteem from bullying. Corrective ear surgery can be performed as early as age six. Prominent facial features especially ears and noses are common reasons children and adolescents seek plastic surgery.
We have observed remarkable transformations in young girls and boys after they undergo simple corrective procedures such as fixing bat ears or a prominent nose. Abnormally-sized or shaped body features can be a source of ridicule for young persons and can lead to decreased self-esteem and lower quality of life. Giving these kids their self-confidence back is one of the most rewarding things we do.
When considering plastic surgery for your child it is important to speak with your board-certified plastic surgeon about your child’s specific situation. The goal when speaking with your child is not to convince teenagers that they need to change, but, rather, to empower them to gain control of the areas that are causing unhappiness, embarrassment, or even bullying. Adolescents are at a very impressionable age, can be very sensitive at this time, and are vulnerable.
At any age when considering plastic surgery, you need an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon who is an expert in the field that can show you proof of exceptional results. For your child’s safety, we cannot stress the importance of discussing your child’s goals with a board-certified plastic surgeon who understands the aging process and can determine whether a noninvasive is an invasive procedure will be required to achieve your desired results.
Dr. Rod J. Rohrich is an internationally known, highly respected and skilled plastic and cosmetic surgeon from Dallas, Texas. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has led most of the key professional organizations in plastic surgery in the USA. He has received numerous honors and awards in plastic and cosmetic surgery, both nationally and internationally. In addition to his extensive surgical expertise and talent as a gifted surgeon, he is the Founding Chair and Distinguished Teaching Professor of Plastic Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He has authored hundreds of innovative academic publications in the field and he also serves as the Editor in Chief of the leading plastic and reconstructive surgery journal, the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Rohrich has also performed philanthropic work as a civic leader of organizations such as the March of Dimes, American Cancer Society and Save the Children and has established the Rod J. Rohrich, M.D. Foundation, which supports medical students in his native North Dakota. He is also a founding member and President of AiRS, the Alliance in Reconstructive Surgery, which serves to support education and reconstructive surgery for breast cancer survivors, regardless of financial status. Dr. Rohrich has repeatedly been featured as one of the best plastic surgeons in the country by US News and World Report, Harper’s Bazaar, Good Housekeeping and Texas Monthly as well as being quoted in notable publications such as the New York Times and Boston Globe. He has appeared on many television shows including Oprah, the View, and Good Morning America and is currently working to provide a reliable source of public-centered information in the fields of plastic and cosmetic surgery as well as other areas of medicine.