Plastic Surgery Society position paper: Teens and Plastic Surgery

The ASPS has no formal position on plastic surgery for teenagers. As with any surgery, parental consent is required for all plastic surgery procedures performed on teens younger than 18.  The ASPS advises parents to evaluate the teenager’s physical and emotional maturity and believes that individual cases merit careful evaluation under the guidance of a plastic surgeon certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery. The most rewarding outcomes are expected when the following exist:

The teenager initiates the request.
While parental support is essential, the teenager’s own desire for plastic surgery must be clearly expressed and repeated over a period of time.

The teenager has realistic goals.
The young person must appreciate both the benefits and limitations of plastic surgery, avoiding unrealistic expectations about life changes that will occur as a result of the procedure.

The teenager has sufficient maturity.
Teenagers must be able to tolerate the discomfort and temporary disfigurement of a surgical procedure. Plastic surgery is not recommended for teens who are prone to mood swings or erratic behavior, who are abusing drugs and/or alcohol, or who are being treated for clinical depression or other mental illness.