Teen Breast Enlargement

Most plastic surgery professionals discourage teenage girls from getting implants. The reasons are simple but young women tend to overlook them. One of the main reasons is that the body doesn't finish developing even into early twenties. There are lots of women who can gain a cup or two even after they hit eighteen.

"Reality" television, young celebrities and peer pressure have all contributed to increased interest in the 16-20 age group who are considering getting their breasts enlarged and are consulting with plastic surgeons about it. However breast implants are not a quick-fix for self-esteem. Parents and teenagers should seriously consider all the risks and benefits of breast enlargement before deciding to go ahead with the surgery. Breast enlargement is the third-most popular surgical cosmetic procedure. The average age of a breast implant patient is 34. Lots of physicians have to turn away teens who are just too young for the procedure. Lots of plastic surgery consultants and the physicians themselves suggest that this is a body image problem and that the attention should be directed toward the mind rather than the body when a teen asks to get implants.

There is a relationship between body image and depression. Negative attitudes about one's appearance can be a symptom of depression or other psychological condition. For example, body dysmorphic disorder is a mental illness characterized by self-loathing of one's physical characteristics. Most psychologically normal teens are self-conscious, and are not too happy with their appearance.

Plastic surgeons are supposed to screen all patients on psychological criteria as well as physical before deciding to treat their patients. Unfortunately most psychological testing is still based on adult criteria. From a psychological point of view, improving one's appearance, with plastic surgery or other means, can help a woman feel better about herself. But because teenagers often feel unattractive because of a particular physical - imagined or real -- shortcoming, tend to solve the "problem" but then focus on a different shortcoming.