Plastic surgery is on the increase in American teens according to statistics released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. In 2006, nearly 94,000 teenagers aged 19 or under underwent some form of cosmetic surgery – a figure that does not include minimally-invasive procedures such as Botox and chemical peels. In 1996, just 11,500 under 18s went under the knife; In 2002, this figure had grown to nearly 81,000.

The most common cosmetic surgery procedures are nose reshaping, male breast reductions, breast implants, breast lifts and liposuction.

There are many reasons for this increase in popularity – cosmetic surgery is losing it’s stigma; more young people are feeling increasingly pressured to look good and cosmetic surgery can be seen as the quick and easy fix. Some parents now use cosmetic surgery as a reward for doing well in exams. It is also seen as a good time to have surgery as they have the summer break in which to recover.

Many are concerned about the rise in youngsters undergoing cosmetic surgery – teenagers are still growing and the operations are often not reversible. As the teenagers are still growing, the surgery may only have good effects in the short term.

However, there are those who say having surgery young is a good thing. They argue that plastic surgery can build self-esteem, which is a good thing if they are about to go to college or start a new job. They say that teenagers can feel like they are starting from a totally new slate without any of their old insecurities.

While we live in a society where everyone is chasing perfection and youth, it is no wonder that cosmetic surgery is on the increase. Celebrities, singers and actors all have perfect, toned bodies and act as role models for the younger generation. Many of this perfection has only been achieved by cosmetic surgery so it is only logical that the some of the population will want to follow suit.