Beverly Hills young adults choosing to go under the knife

Although the popularity of cosmetic surgery is growing, it is important for younger patients to take a rational approach to the decision to choose cosmetic surgery. Certain procedures like rhinoplasty, gynecomastia reduction, and breast reduction have always been popular or even necessary as a means of navigating the difficulties of distorted body image common amongst teens and young adults. The improvement in self-image is often translated into improved self-confidence and achievement once the perceived barrier is lifted. However, the idea has recently been pushed a bit too far, such that teens and young adults are requesting liposuction, breast augmentation, lip plumping, and other cosmetic procedures at too early an age, because of the desire to emulate a presumed popular trend as seen in the latest celebrity magazine. Responsible plastic surgeons carefully evaluate the intelligence and psychological preparedness of prospective patients, regardless of age, to cope with the alteration of body image that comes with most cosmetic procedures. All patients, regardless of age, must be made aware of the risks and potential complications of surgery, and must possess the maturity to be able to articulate their goals for the procedure. A judicious approach to cosmetic surgery in teens and young adults is warranted, in order to avoid the perception that plastic surgery is the cure for all self-image problems, and to avoid the creation of a sub-class of surgical freaks who bear no family resemblance to themselves or their offspring in the future. Personal maturity, physical fitness and psychological health, and an attractive personality cannot be created at the sharp end of a knife.

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