There's an interesting article in MSNBC.com on the recent trend towards teenagers getting Botox. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), last year over 12,000 Botox or Dysport treatments were performed on people under the age of 18. One plastic surgeon quoted in the article claimed that 5-8% of his Botox patients are teenagers! What percentage of my Botox patients are 18 or under?
Zero!
I guess this would need to be taken on a case-by-case basis, but to date I've never seen a teenager whom I thought would benefit from Botox. The good thing is that Botox injections are temporary with relatively minor side effects or complications. I have no problem with other plastic surgeons performing the procedure. It's just that I choose not to do it. I feel much more strongly against certain surgeries in teens, however, like breast augmentation, which create permanent changes and have consequences that can last for life.
Thanks for reading.
Anthony Youn, M.D.
It's definitely not a bad idea for younger women in their mid-late twenties to start getting Botox to prevent fine lines, but getting it as a teenager is going way overboard! They are only going to become desensitized to the drug faster and they'll be stuck with no good options when they really need it. Girls, please learn from Miss Montag... don't start too early!
ReplyDeleteIf nothing else it's a colossal waste of money! It's very sad. Will these same young women have enough money for a comfortable retirement? Will they ever be able to buy their own homes? Survive layoffs or other life emergencies?
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