2012 Cosmetic Surgery Demographics

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons compiled data regarding how frequently different ethnic groups underwent cosmetic surgery, what types of cosmetic surgery they chose, and where most of the surgeries took place. In 2012, most cosmetic surgeries were performed in a plastic surgery office with 10,427,178 or 71% percent of surgeries.  Free-standing ambulatory surgical facilities had the second most with 1,414,865 surgeries followed by hospitals with 2,787,233 surgeries.  The ethnicities that underwent cosmetic surgeries most frequently were Caucasians with 10,242,650 surgeries, Hispanics with 1,592,445 surgeries, African-Americans with 1,171,751 surgeries, Asian-Americans with 976,694 surgeries, and other ethnicities with 645,736 surgeries.  The frequency of surgeries among Caucasians, African-Americans, and Asian-Americans has risen since 2011 while that of Hispanics and other ethnicities has decreased in the same amount of time.  Of the five most popular procedures, being breast augmentation, nose reshaping, liposuction, eyelid surgery, and tummy tuck,  Caucasians lead all other ethnicities in the amount of surgeries they underwent.  Caucasians were followed by Hispanics, African-Americans, Asian-Americans and other ethnicities, in the order.  The closest total by any other ethnic group for any of these procedures is 59% less than that of Caucasians.  In non-surgical procedures, this trend in which Caucasians underwent the most procedures continued.  Caucasians still held a significant percent differences from the ethnicity with the second most procedures.  Hispanics trailed Caucasians by nearly 65% when it came to non-surgical procedures.  These statistics provide good visual representation of which ethnic groups underwent the most and least amounts of cosmetic procedures in 2012. 

American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (2012). 2012 cosmetic demographics. [PDF file].  Available
from http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Documents/news-resources/statistics/2012-Plastic-Surgery-Statistics/full-plastic-surgery-statistics-report.pdf
 

 

Can Cosmetic Surgery Be Good for Teens?

Teens Jen Selter, Jon Escalante, and Hannah Olsen were bullied constantly due to their physical appearance.  These three teens did not opt to undergo surgery simply for narcissistic reasons or because of the name calling, they did it because of "how they felt about themselves on a deeper level."  Selter was quoted saying that “My advice to teenagers is don’t have a nose job just ‘cause you’re worried about what other people say or think."  The nose job helped him the feel good about himself on the inside and outside.  Psychiatrist Charles Sophy said that parents should makes sure that their teens or adolescents know that cosmetic surgery should not be a coping mechanism.  Many reputable plastic surgeons recommend that teens attend at least four sessions with a therapist before the procedure to uncover why that individual desires a certain procedure and if they are mature enough to handle it.  Plastic surgeons report that teens undergo cosmetic surgery to fit in while adults do it to stand out.  However, some doctors say that undergoing cosmetic surgery to fix a physical defect can relieve prolonged psychological distress which can be a good thing.  Before undergoing cosmetic surgery, parents and teens should know the possible complications and if they can handle the risks that are involved.  Parents and children should also know the guidelines that are in place for younger patients.  Facial surgery should not be done on females until age 14 and males age 15.  Breast augmentation cannot be done on anyone under 18 and "most surgeons will refuse to perform liposuction on anyone younger than 17 or 18."  This article gave good examples of when cosmetic surgery could be used to help teens affected by bullying and when most surgeons would actually perform certain types of surgeries.  

Coffey, L. (30 March, 2010).  Can plastic surgery be good for teens?.  NBCNews.com.  Retrieved from http://www.today.com/id/36101073/ns/today-parenting/#.Uvp6SWJdW8A         

Planning surgery at a young age

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery conducted a survey in 2011 which discovered that Americans who approve of cosmetic plastic surgery "is increasing regardless of age or income level."  The survey also showed that even though those between 35 and 50 are more than likely to choose cosmetic surgery, individuals between 18 and 24 are most likely to consider having surgery done immediately or in the future. Spire Healthcare in the United Kingdom also conducted a survey of women between 18 and 30 years old.  It revealed that 25 percent of these women "first consider cosmetic procedures between the ages of 10 and 15" years old.  The survey also found that "one in three British teens decide to pursue plastic surgery" between the ages of 15 and 18 years old. Chantelle Horton, the editor of More magazine, was quoted saying "It is clear that young women see surgery as a normal, acceptable and desirable way to correct their perceived imperfections and they genuinely believe this would make them happier." This article provides good survey data regarding how Americans and other women around the world perceive cosmetic procedures.  

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. (September 19, 2011). Surveys find many young women begin planning plastic surgeries in teens. Available  from http://www.surgery.org/consumers/plastic-surgery-news-briefs/surveys-find-young-women-planning-plastic-surgeries-teens-1035572

Possible risks of cosmetic surgery

Teens are beginning to request plastic surgery just to improve their physical characteristics.  In 2010, 219,000 cosmetic surgeries were performed on those 13-19 years old.  Before one undergoes cosmetic surgery, one should contemplate the side effects that could arise from the procedure.  they should also research and find an experienced surgeon for the procedure and whether or not one really needs the surgery.  Several risks and complications can arise from these surgeries.  Some of them are unexpected bleeding, nerve damage leading to paralysis, , delayed healing, pneumonia,  scarring, depression,  and the risk of complications with  anesthesia.  other side effects could also be seroma, which is the deposit of clear fluid that sometimes develops after liposuction, tummy tuck and breast augmentation.  The surgical area could also end up not being as symmetrical as before the surgery. In a maturing body, these problems can lead to complications or death if the procedures are done incorrectly.  This source has good examples of what the complications are and what they do to the body.

International Business Times. (2012, March 18). The dangers of plastic surgery.  Retrieved January 29, 2014 from  http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/315698/20120318/plastic-surgery-evils-skin-damage-risks-asymetry.htm#.UukOTPbZWcV  

Cosmetic Industry Offers Promise of Perfection for the Young

This article discussed the financial aspect of teenage surgeries. Younger people, who are the main customers, sought the cheapest ways to achieve the look they desired. Motivation to change their body was due to low self-esteem and confidence relating to their appearance. "In chat groups, girls exchange tips on what they were charged and how one clinic reduced their costs to match another's price. But in this busy commercial marketplace, leading plastic surgeons and others worry that medical standards can slip." Only 71 out of 619 private clinics closed after inquiry from the Care Quality Commission inspections. The rest either did not take part or refused to answer. These results brought up questions about how 'clean' these clinics truly were. Quality of the surgeries are brought into question due to the lowered costs for teens who are desperate. Cutting costs lead to lower quality surgeries which furthered the health risks for the already self-conscious teens. 
This article emphasized the importance of choosing a well-known surgeon to receive the best surgery possible. 

Boseley, S. (2012, January 15). Cosmetic industry offers promise of perfection for the young. Retrieved January 28, 2014, from http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/jan/15/cosmetic-industry-promise-perfection-young

Treating Teens

This article discussed the pros and cons on teenagers undergoing cosmetic surgery before the age of eighteen. The author interviewed multiple doctors for their view on the issue. Pros included familial/genetic problems and that surgery helped to increase the teenagers' self-esteem. "For example, if a teenager has a familial problem, like big hips or no breasts, cosmetic procedures are very appropriate. Another example is the minimization of acne scars with laser resurfacing." Cons argued how exercise and diet are being ruled out due to rash decisions or how the parents push for the surgery more than the teenagers. "While the daughter was about 20 percent over optimal body weight, she wasn't concerned at all about it-the mother was the only one who wanted this to happen." 
This article provided interesting statistics as well as quotes for pros and cons  from doctors to aid my paper. 


Gillette, B. (2008). Treating Teens. Dermatology Times, 29, 44. Retrieved from http://elibrary.bigchalk.com.madonnaezp.liblime.com/elibweb/elib/do/document?set=search&dictionaryClick=&secondaryNav=&groupid=1&requestid=lib_standard&resultid=5&edition=&ts=9BA36AB1FCC9B34F31F696FCD62D0DEF_1390972040101&start=1&publicationId=&urn=urn%3Abigchalk%3AUS%3BBCLib%3Bdocument%3B152320612#citation

Teenagers and Cosmetic Surgery

This article covers multiple benefits and downsides to teens have plastic surgery. It covers everything from anti- bullying technique to long term problems and infections. The main topics that it covers include plastic surgery in a developing teen, understanding the risks of surgery, and screening. Teens bodies are constantly changing and from the age of 18 through 21 the average girl will gain weight which may change their desire to get breast augmentation. A major concern for plastic surgery is if the outcome is worth the risk. Plastic surgery is not risk free, studies have shown that women have had at least one serous complication within the first three years of surgery. A mistake in a liposuction could cause huge problems from damaging nerves to affecting ones vital organs. People have died during liposuction and many people do not know the true risk of a lot these operations. Lastly, this article talks about whether a teen needs to be screened for a certain level of maturity before the operation. The main problem with this is who determines whether the teen is old enough the parent of the physician?
 This article has both pro and con sides to my topic along with a lot of other references.

Zuckerman, D. (n.d.). A New Edition for a New Era - Our Bodies Ourselves. A New Edition for a New Era - Our Bodies Ourselves. Retrieved January 28, 2014, from http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/book/companion.asp?id=1&compID=102