Oct. 10, 2004 — Teenagers who want to have plastic surgery usually have different motivations and goals than adults, said Julia Corcoran, M.D., FACS, in a presentation at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference & Exhibition in San Francisco.

"Teens tend to have plastic surgery to fit in with peers — to look similar, while adults tend to have plastic surgery to stand out from others," Dr. Corcoran said. "Teens frequently gain self-esteem and confidence when their physical problems are corrected. In fact, successful plastic surgery may reverse the social withdrawal that so often accompanies teens who feel different."

Dr. Corcoran addressed the common physical characteristics teenagers wish to correct including nose reshaping, protruding ears, overly large breasts, small or asymmetrical breasts, and severe acne and scarring. According to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 335,000 cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed on people age 18 or younger in 2003. The most common plastic surgery for that age group was nose reshaping. Dr. Corcoran cautioned that not every teenager seeking plastic surgery is well-suited for an operation. Teens must demonstrate emotional maturity and an understanding of the limitations of plastic surgery. In addition, certain milestones in growth and physical maturity must be achieved before undergoing plastic surgery.