Teens and Plastic Surgery: Putting a Price on Self-esteem

The grotesque monster known as the media claws at our beauty-obsessed society, and people are falling at its feet. It’s no wonder then that more teens are considering undergoing cosmetic procedures. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, those under the age of 18 made up two per cent of all cosmetic procedures performed in the US in 2009. Although that may not seem like a lot, that two per cent adds up to over 200,000 cosmetic procedures performed on youth under the age of 18 in one year.

Although similar statistics aren’t currently available in Canada, we all know that our neighbours to the south have a huge influence on our lifestyle, particularly through the media. The enormous popularity of makeover TV programs such as The Swan and MTV’s I Want a Famous Face triggers an obsession with an idealistic image. “Of course those makeover shows affect me,” admits a grade 11 student at Terry Fox Secondary in Coquitlam. “They just make everything look so easy. I would be lying if I said I have never considered [plastic surgery].”

Furthermore, reality TV shows like MTV’s The Hills follow the lives of beauty-obsessed wannabe stars like Heidi Montag, whose claim to fame was having 10 cosmetic procedures in one day! Although most teens wouldn’t consider 23-year-old Montag a role model, seeing her get attention for her Barbie-like exterior can affect our self-esteem.

As a result, instead of focusing on post-secondary decisions, many grade 12s are more concerned with botox and liposuction, and it seems that breast implants are becoming a more common grad gift. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, rhinoplasty (more commonly known as a nose job) still ranks highest on the list of cosmetic improvements performed on teens.*

And by the looks of it, the gift of surgery for graduation has become quite the norm. “For my [grad] present, it was either going to be a big fat cheque for college or a nose job,” comments recent high-school graduate Natalie.** She smiles, “It sounds so materialistic, but it’s funny how much better I feel about myself now. I definitely don’t have any regrets, because I think I’m in a good place. My parents have been so supportive.”

To an outsider, why parents would willingly pay for – or even allow – their child to have a cosmetic procedure is a wonder, but Natalie’s parents aren’t alone. “Ultimately, all parents want their kids to be happy,” says Port Coquitlam counsellor Steve Marling. “Sure, most people would argue that money can’t buy happiness, but when parents see a new-found self-confidence in their child, they cannot help but think otherwise. What most parents in these situations don’t realize is that plastic surgery does not boost a teenager’s self-confidence in the long run; rather, it diminishes his or her self-image.”

In the end though, parents cannot always be held fully responsible for the decisions of their teenage children. At an age when we are not only vulnerable, but are also trying to assert our independence, we are prone to rash decisions and easily influenced by peers. We are more likely to rush into something we are not emotionally ready for without considering the seriousness of the situation.

Unfortunately, many teens feel that surgery is not a big deal, and they may not be mature enough to understand all of its various risks and complications. Plastic surgery is a life-altering experience, whether seen in the positive or negative light. The ultimate hope is for teenagers to realize that there is more to a person than physical beauty. “Accept yourself for who you are” is cliché for a reason.

* Some teens may have medical reasons for rhinoplasty, such as a broken nose, and may be included in this statistic.

** Name has been changed