As the popularity of plastic surgery increases, a rising trend is in the market – teenage plastic surgery. Not only are more teens undergoing cosmetic procedures, but it is becoming a popular high school graduation tradition. It has been reported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) that more than 209,000 cosmetic procedures were performed on girls under the age of 18 in 2009.

Teenage girls are not only asking for money or cars for graduation gifts these days. Many are now requesting cosmetic procedures in order to enhance their appearance, including both non-invasive solutions, such as laser hair removal and skin resurfacing, as well as the most popularly requested surgical procedure, breast augmentation.

What could be the reasoning behind this ever-growing trend? It has been proven in many research cases and studies that a teenage girl’s self-esteem is typically at its lowest during the peak years of high school. One of the studies surveyed teenage girls and found that about 50 percent of them were dissatisfied with their bodies.

Although many girls have a rise in self-esteem as they approach their senior year, college women still report that low self-esteem is an issue in their lives. In addition, cosmetic surgery was once considered a taboo topic, but with the spread of popular reality television shows, such as “Dr. 90210,” “The Swan,” and “Extreme Makeover,” it has become a well-opened conversational piece. The message is being sent publicly that if someone does not like something about themselves they can have it fixed with the help of cosmetic surgery.

Even as technology and advancements are being introduced into the world of cosmetic surgery, making it safer and less invasive, there are still risks and complications that should be considered before a teen undergoes a procedure. Parents who are considering allowing their teenage daughter to undergo cosmetic surgery should educate themselves about the facts. Many surgeons do not recommend that women under the age of 18 undergo procedures such as breast augmentation, because their bodies are not fully developed. Also, a majority of the time women between the ages of 18 and 21 experience weight gain and their bodies are not fully matured, which may alter their results if they undergo cosmetic procedures too early.

It is important to not only research the procedure a teen desires. It is essential to also find a doctor who has the experience and certifications to perform that procedure. If you are looking for a qualified plastic surgeon in Alabama, Robert Oliver, Jr., M.D. and Jason M. Jack, M.D. are plastic surgery specialists who perform breast augmentation in the Anniston and Birmingham area.

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