Our children are now asking to have plastic surgery at unprecedented levels. This trend has been on the rise now for nearly a decade. Some say this trend has reached epidemic proportions. The statistics may sound alarming, but, before you get shocked when your child asks for plastic surgery consider the pros and cons.

What Are The Benefits Of Children Having Plastic Surgery?

As we all know bullying has recently been on the rise. Nowadays it has been taken to new levels thanks to smartphones. Kids can take a picture of something funny and then instantly broadcast that picture to all their friends. Needless to say, it can hurt to be on the receiving end of this.

Nevertheless, traditional bullying is still the predominant method used in schools these days. For instance, one six-year-old boy dreaded going to school because of his ears. The other kids made fun of him by constantly called him names like 'Elf Ears' and 'Fairie Ears.' His life was miserable as we can see in this video.

The Boy's parents, Kallie, and Tim were very concerned about this. They feared it could permanently damage their child's self-esteem, so they made the decision to take him to a plastic surgeon. A simple two-hour operation did the trick. The surgeon pinned his ears back making them look completely normal. The teasing stopped and the child's self-confidence went through the roof.

Reasons Why Kids May Need Plastic Surgery.
1. Repair or Remove Deformities.
2. Correct Damage from Accidents.
3. Ease The Effects of Cancer.
4. Correct An Over or Under Size Physical Feature.
5. Help With Weight Loss or Weight Gain.
6. Increase Self-Esteem.
7. Remove Birthmarks and Blemishes.
8. Remove Scars or Tattoos.

What Are The Disadvantages To Kids Wanting Plastic Surgery?

It must be mentioned that kids lack the emotional maturity to make such a major decision. New research finds that some people's brains are not fully developed until they are well into their 30s or 40s. The prefrontal cortex, which is just behind the forehead, undergoes the longest period of development. This is the area of the brain that is responsible for cognitive functions like planning and decision-making.

Another drawback to kids wanting plastic surgery is they are impulsive. They want what they want and they want it now. A perfect example of this is the progression from wanting a bike to wanting a car. At one time, they just had to have a special bike. Then just a few short years later they just had to have a certain car. Impulsive decisions making coupled with any complications that could arise will surely lead to catastrophic results in the mind of a teenager.

More Disadvantages To Kids Wanting Plastic Surgery
1. Teens may not fully understand the risks involved.
2. The Teen's body may not have fully finished developing yet.
3. Any imperfections could be self-correcting over time.
4. Many teens are not psychologically ready to handle the outcome of plastic surgery.
5. The FDA recommends against teens having breast augmentation surgery.

There are certainly more advantages than disadvantages these days to children asking for cosmetic surgery. Plus, the procedures are safer and more reliable today thanks to new technology and medical techniques. Any corrective procedure is certainly worth considering under the right circumstances.

Raising self-esteem and improving self-image alone is a compelling argument for parents to consider cosmetic surgery for their children. The evaluation they must make regards their child's level of maturity.