Rhinoplasty on Teenagers: The Influence of Social Media on Young Audiences

Social media plays a pivotal role in influencing young audiences in the appreciation of cosmetic surgery. Today, young people, especially teenagers, spend a higher percentage of their time on their phones, juggling between different social media platforms. Most of these apps promote only visuals, whereby they promote images more than any write-offs. Because of this, teenagers following through with various celebrities are more likely to associate with them or aspire to look like them.

Consequently, they are more likely to get influenced into cosmetic surgery. Notably, teenagers are at a critical stage in their lives where they are developing their confidence and self-esteem. It's a time when they are more aware of the developmental changes in their bodies. It's why they are more likely to compare when their boobs are not fuller, such as those of a particular celebrity or influencer. Moreover, this may lower their self-esteem. So, in their search for a confidence booster, they turn to cosmetic procedures.

According to a survey by the American Society of Plastic surgeons, the number of teenagers involved in plastic surgeries increases by the day. In 2017, there was an increase of 11 percent in cosmetic surgery of teenagers below 19. Data shows that most cosmetic surgeries among minors were prompted by images or videos they had seen on social media apps such as Snapchat and Instagram. Plastic surgeons are also on TikTok, where they can freely promote the procedures they offer through fun, educational, and entertaining content.

Selfies, according to studies, can lead to adolescent girls overvaluing their shape and weight-also, restricting eating behavior, negative body image, and adoption of the thin ideal. Furthermore, regular selfies highlight lower facial features, such as nasal, lip, and chin problems, leading to an upsurge in interest in cosmetic surgery among the teenage age group.

Rhinoplasty is a common procedure that's gaining popularity among the youth. And while it may be offered to those under the age of 17, many surgeons still advise their younger patients to wait a few more years to decide if they will pursue an irreversible cosmetic procedure. The fact that plastic surgery is more normalized among the younger generation is raising concern and sparking conversations among many practitioners on how to prepare teenagers physically and psychologically for these procedures and to gauge how ready they are for the changes that come with it.

We asked Dr. Hsu of Memorial Plastic Surgery regarding the rise in demand for rhinoplasty in Houston and inquired on his take on adapting teenage rhinoplasty.

His response was, "Adults of all ages can have rhinoplasty surgery unless they have underlying medical issues that prevent them from doing so. While it is not recommended for patients under the age of 17, it is possible to do the procedure if a parental agreement is given."

So, while teenagers are exploring getting a rhinoplasty and other cosmetic surgeries, proper consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon will allow doctors to understand the motivations for getting these surgeries and will be able to recommend a treatment plan that's best for them.