Is Cosmetic Surgery On Young Adults Okay?

Today's teen culture appears, from the surface

, to be one of aesthetics and physical appeal. Between celebrity icons like Paris Hilton and television shows like 90210, teenagers certainly have several sources of media geared towards them and promoting the sex appeal agenda. Cosmetic surgery on young adults has become increasingly prevalent in popular culture, and some are worried that the relative ease of attaining such procedures is baiting teens and young adults into seeking what is more commonly known as plastic surgery.

In a recent study done by the ASAPS (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery), it was found that 18-24 year-olds of both genders were the highest rated group for approving of cosmetic surgery. The president of the ASAPS, Dr. Scott Spear, believes it's because of the lowering costs and increasing social acceptability of talking openly about cosmetic surgery. Procedures that were once thought to be only possible for the wealthy is now becoming available for the common person.

However, Dr. Spear also reported that a mere 5% of college-aged women (the stereotypical demographic) have actually gone through with cosmetic surgery. Chemical peels were the most popular procedure, while breast reduction/augmentation and nose reshaping were just behind in the running. It seems that, while young adults view cosmetic surgery as an acceptable thing to do (more than 60% said that a procedure was a viable option for them in the future), a very small amount of those young adults have actually followed through and received surgery.

While it may be the perception of some that teenagers and young adults have grown more self-conscious due to the media, the same study revealed that only 2.5% of those screened were tested positive for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), which is the average rate among the population.

So, what are the benefits of undergoing cosmetic surgery? The most obvious effect is improved physical appearance, and hand-in-hand with that is a boosted self-esteem for the patient. And, aside from simply improving or augmenting looks in the average person, cosmetic surgery is also capable of repairing deformities or unwanted blemishes. Those with physical defects from birth, injury, or infection are presented a chance at a more normal life.

However, those seeking cosmetic surgery should keep in mind that it is still surgery, in the same field as a heart transplant or other serious procedures, and the risks should not be taken lightly. Depending on the procedure being done, cosmetic surgeries can be highly painful or invasive. The recovery time from one surgery can span anywhere from one day to six months.

Surgery isn't an instant fix -- some effects can take up to an entire year to become evident. And this doesn't only include intended effects; negative effects can also appear after a set amount of time. Damage to nerves, blood vessels, and muscles, bleeding, dry eyes, and infection are only a portion of unintended negative effects that can occur. And, less commonly, blindness, blood clots, and lung problems.

Those seeking cosmetic surgery must balance the possible positives and possible negatives of their procedure. Cosmetic surgery on young adults may see like a dream fix everything, but people tend to like the original you and not a genetically enhanced you the most.

by: Adriana Noton

POST COMMENT

How to Get the Most from Cosmetic Surgery Partial Knee Replacement Surgery For Damaged Knee Joints What you need to know about cosmetic surgery Bariatric Surgery Complications and Dangers Non-surgical Liposuction Removes The Expenses And Fears Of Surgery Comparing The Magic Of Gastric Bypass Surgery And Cosmetic Liposuction The Compete Liposuction Results Take Time To Show After Surgery Patients Need To Prepare Physically And Mentally For Liposuction Surgery Details - Male Enhancement Surgery - Procedures And Reasons For Use Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Helps You to Recover Faster Details - Penile Surgery - Risks And Benefits Of Penile Lengthening Surgery Tummy Tuck Surgery In Houston: Need Of The Hour! Cataracts & Cataract Surgery: Guide For Senior Citizens Care