If you are a teen and have some aspect of your body that you dislike or wish you could change: don’t worry you’re NOT alone! Honestly, who can say that they never wished they had clearer skin, or that their nose or ears were smaller, etc. Everyone has some part of their body that they do not appreciate, and for the small percentage of people that cannot stand that aspect of themselves, plastic surgery may be an option.

Most plastic surgery is for one reason only: to change or enhance your physical appearance. Some alter a body part that they find either irregular or noticeably different from others, while others with low self-esteem attempt to achieve their version of the perfect image. Nearly everyone who seeks plastic surgery to look like someone else is disappointed.

Almost all teens are self-conscious, and a lot of that goes away with time. The body continues to develop and change as you get older, and what you may consider to be too small or too large now, could appear balanced as the rest of you develops. Also, with time, not only does your body change, but so do your opinions. A nose that once seemed too big, or breasts that once seemed too small, may seem a lot more proportionate a year or two down the line.

For those people who are also dealing with emotional problems, it is that much worse. If you are depressed or have a distorted self-perception, you are more likely to think that changing your looks will solve your problems. In actuality, surgery may only make things worse as some people experience brief episodes of depression post-surgery. Get help; seeking out a therapist who could advise you on the situation might help.

If you are seriously considering getting plastic surgery, talk it over with your parents and your doctors. Research the specific procedure you are interested in, and make sure you know what you are in for. The likelihood is that it will have a high cost, and that you will be left with temporary bruises and swelling. Do not rush into plastic surgery; it is a serious process, and after the research and talks you have, your may change your mind: plastic surgery isn’t for everyone.