While many children under 18 are not eligible for a variety of plastic surgery procedures due to the fact that they are not yet fully grown, there are a few types of cosmetic surgery for teenagers. One of the most common is rhinoplasty, which can be done for health or aesthetic purposes. In addition, many plastic surgeons will also provide procedures to young people to correct asymmetrical breasts or to reduce abnormally large breasts in young men. Other types of cosmetic surgery for teenagers can include procedures used to correct birth defects or traumas.
Unlike the rest of the body, the nose is typically fully formed by the time a person reaches 14 years of age. For this reason, a rhinoplasty may be done on a person under 18 with the consent of an adult and the surgeon. This procedure is typically done to correct breathing issues, although some surgeons will perform cosmetic surgery for teenagers to fix a crooked or abnormally large nose.
A young woman who has developed a significantly smaller breast on one side may be eligible for corrective breast surgery. The surgeon will likely perform a reduction on the larger breast until it matches the smaller. In severe cases, implants may be inserted to make both breasts equal. While this is a relatively common procedure when compared to other types of cosmetic surgery for teenagers, many surgeons may opt to wait until the child is older to perform the procedure, especially if the asymmetry is not especially dramatic.
Young men with larger-than-normal breast tissue, despite weight, may be able to receive a breast reduction. In most cases, if the extra tissue is due to being overweight, most surgeons will recommend a diet and exercise program prior to any procedure. Despite this, some young men are naturally prone to developing more in the chest areas than others. In this case, a breast reduction is often warranted.
One of the most common types of cosmetic surgery for teenagers is the correction of birth defects. While these may be corrected in early childhood, many young adults make it to the teenage years with a visible defect, either due to financial restraints or health issues. Plastic surgeons will often correct these defects, which can include a cleft lip, cleft palate, abnormally large ears, or jaw issues.
In some cases, an accident or trauma may make cosmetic surgery for teenagers an option. For the teen who is active in sports, broken bones in the face may be repaired by a plastic surgeon. In addition, unsightly burn scars from severe accidents may be also treated with skin grafts, which often requires several procedures over the course of time.
