Teen plastic surgery is growing in demand, particularly for breast and genital procedures, and this is becoming a concern for physicians of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The group has issued a statement underscoring new guidelines for its members in order to help teenage girls who might be considering cosmetic augmentations early.
The new guidelines have been published in the Obstetrics & Gynecology journal. The report instructs ACOG members to properly counsel teens about the appearance and function of their breasts and genitals.
"This age group may be under particular stress regarding these issues because of societal conceptions of the ideal female body and parental concerns for body perfection," said ACOG head Julie Strickland via Medscape. Aside from talking about the development of a teenage girl's body, the physician must also try to discuss non-surgical options if the girl feels uncomfortable about her appearance.
Talk to ur teen about plastic surgery & the risks it can pose. You can accompany ur teen to the physician's office to talk about risks
— Sanjay Gupta (@lamSanjayGupta) April 19, 2016
Teen Plastic Surgery New Guidelines: Helping Those With BDD
However, the guideline also directs doctors to determine if their young patients have deeper issues about body image. In this case, ACOG members must also facilitate proper screening for cases of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), and then come up with ways to alleviate this in their patients.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America recognizes BDD as a behavioral problem that largely occurs among teens and women, although some men also experience this. A person with BDD has the compulsion to hate her body and believe that it has many imperfections. In some cases, people with BDD could engage in disturbing acts to cover their body's flaws.
Teen Plastic Surgery New Guidelines: ACOG Vs. ASPS
It's not the first time that a guideline on teen plastic surgery has been released as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has also established this for its members. Under the ASPS guidelines, the recommendation is that a breast procedure should be best undertaken when the girl is at least 18. But the reality is, breast augmentation is not uncommon for 13 to 19-year-old girls, per Real Self.
Meanwhile, the ACOG is unsure how widespread the scope is for teenage girls who are getting genital plastic surgery or labiaplasty. ASPS president David Song said that in most cases, genital augmentation in teen girls is not for cosmetic reasons.
However, he agrees with the ACOG guideline that patients must be told and guided about the risks of plastic surgery. Song further agrees that doctors should be able to properly assess and screen patients for potential signs of mental disorders.
"It's typical for teenagers to question whether they're 'normal' or not," Strickland further said, per Health Day. "So we shouldn't be 'horrified' if they come to us with these questions. We need to respond sensitively and honestly."
