Recently Kylie Jenner (of the Kardashian fame) admitted to getting lip filler injections to give her lips a fuller, poutier appearance. Although this is not so much of a surprise it did stir some emotions and thoughts about plastic surgery, youth, and the idea of inner beauty and self-growth that I wanted to share with everyone.
First. Medically speaking, there is no reason why a teenager could not get filler in their lips. The physical indications as well as the possible side effects are the same as those for an adult. The bigger question revolves around the delicate balance of self-image, self-esteem, and the importance of these aspects to youth in general.
If filler is deemed “appropriate” in a 16 or 17 year old, where is the line drawn for aesthetic improvements in youth that are still in the process of defining their self image and their inherent self worth. Certain plastic surgery procedures such as otoplasty (correction of prominent ears), breast reconstruction in young women that have the absence of one breast, or the reduction of overly large breasts is largely accepted by both plastic surgeons and most in society. They are seen as correcting something that has developed abnormally and often times severely impacts the mental and emotional well being of young adults that feel they are somehow “abnormal”.
There is a slippery slope of sorts in terms of plastic surgery and youth. I believe it is in the best interest of society in general for the parents, the child, and the plastic surgeon to take a broader approach to these issues and include discussion pertaining to mental well being in the present and in the future, counseling, self esteem/self worth, and the broad impact that plastic surgery decisions can have on these aspects of a person immediately but also in the future to come.
All the best,
