Why Younger People Are Getting Plastic Surgery –

According to a recent clinical study, the past two years have seen the average age of those seeking facial plastic surgery dropped from 39 to 37 among female patients, and from 45 to 43 among male plastic surgery patients. Additionally, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that in 2016, people between the ages of 13 and 19 underwent a total of 66,347 plastic surgery procedures. This number marks an increase in this demographic of an impressive 3%.

In this article, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali explains why more and more younger patients area are visiting AMAE Plastic Surgery in the Troy, MI area to reach their personal aesthetic goals.

Social Media & Plastic Surgery

Like many other recent trends in the field of aesthetic procedures, the increasing number of younger plastic surgery patients is believed to be largely caused by social media. Social media allows for laser-like focus on both one’s own perceived shortcomings, as well as the allegedly “perfect” attributes of others. This has resulted in many millennials to turning to plastic surgery as a means of “correcting” what they have been made to feel are flaws in their appearance.

Looking good on social networking sites like Instagram and Snapchat have proven to be major motivators for young people to get plastic surgery. Rhinoplasty plastic surgery, for example, has seen an increased number of younger patients thanks to the increased awareness that taking selfies brings to one’s nose. When observing oneself from an angle other that head-on (such as when looking in a mirror), one can become more aware of how they appear in photographs, which remains a key reason why more young people than ever are turning to plastic surgery.

Job Market & Plastic Surgery

While being judged on one’s looks is an unfortunate part of life with which most women are all too familiar, in the modern era, more and more men are finding themselves subject to that same unfair standard of attractiveness. With men and women alike facing greater pressure than ever to conform to standards of attractiveness, it is no wonder that more and more young people have begun to turn to plastic surgery for answers.

In an article published by The Smithsonian, it was reported that men considered “handsome” earn an average of 13% during their career than an allegedly less-attractive man with the same position. The article went on to report that one’s perceived attractiveness plays a role in whether or not they will be hired for a job, with people said to be more attractive simply having better luck on the job market. For this reason, many younger men have felt as though enhancing their appearance through plastic surgery is a shrewd investment for their career.

Plastic Surgery is More Attainable

There has never been a safer time to be a plastic surgery patient, with incredible advancements in minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgery making cosmetic procedures easier to perform than ever. Modern plastic surgery patients are also able to enjoy shorter periods of recovery, as well as plastic surgery procedures that are infinitely less painful than they were as recently as a decade ago. Many plastic surgery procedures are now even performed on an outpatient basis, making the long hospital stays that used to accompany the procedures seem like ancient history. Many plastic surgery patients are able to return home and resume their normal daily routine as soon as their procedure is over.

Additionally, plastic surgery costs have come down thanks to shorter hospital stays, as well as the need for less invasive surgery, and the use of local rather than general anesthetics in some procedures. And a variety of financing options are also available. With plastic surgery being safer, less expensive and having minimal downtime, it is now more accessible to a younger market.

How Young is Too Young for Plastic Surgery?

While it is impossible to pick one single age at which everyone is finally “old enough” for plastic surgery, the conventional wisdom on the matter is that plastic surgery should not be performed until a person’s face and body are no longer growing and developing. Young people considering plastic surgery should keep in mind that, generally, this occurs around the age of 16 for girls and 18 for boys.

Troy, MI area board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali advises parents to refrain from signing off on their child undergoing plastic surgery until they are confident their child is emotionally ready, and fully understands the seriousness and complexity plastic surgery entails. There are no laws in the United States that prevent teenagers from undergoing plastic surgery. However, teens under the age of 18 may not undergo plastic surgery without consent from their parents.

That said, in some cases after careful examination a qualified plastic surgeon may come to the conclusion with a teen and his or her parents that plastic surgery is not only safe, but also beneficial. For example, there may be strong psychological benefits to performing rhinoplasty or gynecomastia (male breast) reduction on a teen who is being teased or bullied about their appearance.

Plastic Surgery – Troy, MI Area

While beauty does “come from within” people should feel free to do what they want to their own bodies, to engender self-confidence and self-love. And, in the hands of a skilled plastic surgeon -provided one is sufficiently educated on the procedure they have selected- plastic surgery can be an excellent way to improve self-acceptance and self-confidence.

Dr. Ali takes his patients physical and emotional wellbeing very seriously, no matter what their age. He will help each and every patient decide if plastic surgery is the right step for them. If you live in the greater Detroit or Troy, Mi area, schedule a consultation at AMAE Plastic surgery to see if plastic surgery is right for you.