Plastic surgery solution for some, excess for others

Plastic surgery appears to be growing in popularity, new figures show.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 20 percent of women under the age of 34 underwent some form of plastic surgery in 2010. The most common forms are breast augmentation and liposuction.

"I would never get plastic surgery myself," said Jaron Polatis, a sophomore biology major from Rigby Idaho. "You can really tell when other people have it, and it makes them look completely fake. I don't think it's necessary unless somebody has gotten in an accident."

According to the ASAPS statistics, approximately 1.6 million people underwent surgical cosmetic procedures in 2010, about 200,000 more than in 2008 and has increased more than 164 percent since 1997.

"Plastic surgery is freedom of choice and that choice should start at a legal age," said Cory LeMieux, a junior computer engineering major from Beaver Dam, Ariz. "But I think that everyone should be proud of the natural beauty bestowed upon them."

Though only 1 percent of young adults 18 and younger get plastic surgery, one student feels as if it's the perfect age to start.

"Plastic surgery doesn't change a person's personality," said Alexa Terakawa, a St. George Paul Mitchell hair school graduate. "It is perfectly OK [to have plastic surgery], just like men and women color their hair, put on make-up, or tattoo their skin. Eighteen should be the legal age for cosmetic purposes."

According to the ASAPS, 18,000 Americans 18 and younger underwent plastic surgery in 2009. These statistics vary because doctors cannot get accurate statistics. With18 being the legal age for breast augmentation and certain esthetic surgeries, doctors have legal alternatives or off-label brands they can use with parental consent.

Terakawa, who has undergone plastic surgery, said she loves her breast implants and wouldn't change making the choice to get them at 18.

According to an article in the Journal of Adolescent Health titled, "Teenagers and Cosmetic surgery; focus on breast augmentation an d liposuction," by Diana Zuckerman Ph.D. and Anisha Abraham M.D, M.P.H. published in 2008, young adults are still growing through their 20s. Certain surgeries could actually become altered through time. Weight gain and natural growth in body parts may in fact cause unsatisfying results with surgeries, meaning instead of a self-esteem boost, adults are unhappy with their procedure.

"I think plastic surgery is a waste of money," said Gabe Phillips, a senior communication major from Hurricane. "But if someone feels they need to change something to feel confident or whatever, then I wouldn't oppose it."

Utah is one of the top states per capita for plastic surgery. Salt Lake City has six plastic surgeons per 100,000 people—compared to New York, with four per 100,000 people, and Los Angeles with 4.1 per 100,000 people.