Dr. David Bottger, graduate of Princeton University with over 20 years experience in medicine, discusses some of the more controversial cosmetic surgeries patients are getting.
At some level, many cosmetic surgeries are somewhat controversial since they are elective and serve no medical purpose. At one end of the spectrum are reconstructive cosmetic surgeries, such as cleft palate repairs, that serve both a functional and aesthetic purpose. At the other end are surgeries that are not only unnecessary but also present an unreasonable risk to the patient, who may or may not have unrealistic expectations or questionable motives for electing to undergo surgery.
For instance, surgeries that attempt to hide one’s ethnicity have been getting a lot of coverage in the media since the number of such surgeries has been increasing along with the number of minorities who are getting these procedures done. Anytime a product or procedure promises to hide a patient’s ethnicity it’s met with controversy. But it’s important to note that beauty is subjective, and many people undergo surgeries that may seem to attempt to conceal ethnicity, such as rhinoplasties, for entirely non-ethnic reasons.
In addition, cosmetic surgeries performed on adolescents are often controversial since children’s bodies are still developing and many believe children lack the emotional maturity to decide if they should undergo cosmetic surgery. The truth is that a lot of people go to plastic surgeons asking for operations that they don’t really need, and many doctors, to their credit, refuse to perform them. That being said, these are some of the more controversial cosmetic surgeries out there:
Asian Eyelid Surgery
Asian eyelid surgery, also known as double eyelid surgery, reshapes the skin around the eye to create a crease that most Caucasians have but Asians lack. Some Asians complain that their eyes look sleepy or small, and some will admit forthrightly that they’re trying to achieve a more westernized look.
Skin Lightening
Skin lightening, or whitening, describes various procedures used to whiten skin color, and can be traced back to colonial times. Many products and services promise whiter skin, such as Emami’s Fair and Handsome cream, which is infamous for its controversial commercial depicting a dark-skinned man facing rejection in love until he uses the cream and whitens his skin. Many believe the late singer Michael Jackson had procedures performed to turn his skin white, while he claimed to suffer from vitiligo, a disease that causes patches of white skin. However, most people undergo skin lightening treatment to simply hide a birthmark or a mole, not their ethnicity. Countless products and procedures claim to whiten skin, but some are ineffective, and at worst, dangerous. So be sure to consult with a doctor before taking any pills, applying any topical creams or undergoing laser surgery.
Adolescent Cosmetic Surgery
Although teens only account for 2% of American patients getting cosmetic surgery according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, those numbers are growing as teens get more nose jobs, breast enlargements and liposuction procedures performed. One main reason these surgeries are more controversial when they’re being performed on adolescents than adults is because many parents and psychologists are rightly concerned that teenagers’ age makes them mentally unequipped to make those kinds of decisions.
On the other hand are people who tout the personal benefits of cosmetic surgery, such as heightened self-esteem and confidence, and social benefits, such as success in business. Unfortunately, it’s still a fact of life that your looks can affect your career (in some industries more than others), and these are among the reasons many teens still undergo cosmetic surgery.
If you are a teenager or parent of a teenager considering cosmetic surgery, you need to have an open and frank discussion with your doctor and/or a counselor about the motives behind and expectations for the surgery. Of course, in the case of adolescents, the final decision is always up to the parents.
The main message I hope you take away from this article is to make sure you’re getting cosmetic surgery for the right reasons and know what to expect. Consulting your friends, family and doctor will help you feel more comfortable with your decision if you choose to undergo cosmetic surgery.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
