Is A Nose Job A No-No For Your Kid?
Parental Tips On Teen Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery in the past was an option most often associated with adults, especially older adults, who desired to improve their appearance. But the number of teenagers undergoing plastic surgery is trending upward.
Nearly 230,000 cosmetic procedures were performed on patients from the ages of 13 to 19 in 2017, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Doctors say part of the reason is due to the social media explosion, but they add that it’s also to fix a feature that makes teens a target of bullying, or to address a health need.
Parents can be faced with a quandary: Is the type of plastic surgery their teen wants appropriate or safe for their age?
“It’s very important that a parent know their child’s motive for plastic surgery and that they consult with the surgeon to ensure they are age-appropriate for the particular procedure,” says Dr. Dennis Schimpf, a plastic surgeon, author of Finding Beauty: Think, See And Feel Beautiful,and founder of Sweetgrass Plastic Surgery (www.sweetgrassplasticsurgery.com). “The family needs to be aware of the risks involved and be honest about why they are seeking the surgery. Is it because their child wants to look like a movie or TV star, compete with their appearance on social media, or because they’re getting teased at school?”
“Parents and the surgeon must determine the psychological and social impact the teen is feeling and factor that into the equation. There are procedures that are very helpful to teens from that perspective, but there are others that don’t have enough research to be proven age-appropriate.”
Some plastic surgeries or appearance procedures teens should stay away from, Dr. Schimpf says, include breast enlargements, liposuction and injectables (such as Botox or fillers for lip or cheek enhancement). Dr. Schimpf reviews some other procedures for teens that may be acceptable and helpful depending on the situation.
Rhinoplasty. This is nose reshaping, which is the most common plastic surgery for teens. It’s often performed due to a child being teased at school for having a big nose. Most doctors recommend waiting on surgery until the teenager’s nasal growth is complete, which is usually between the ages of 16-18 in males and 15-16 in females. “This surgery may provide a major improvement for teens, helping them psychologically as well as with confidence in their appearance,” Dr. Schimpf says.
Breast reduction. Performed on teen girls to take away back and neck pain. Doctors emphasize the importance of waiting to do the surgery until the patient has finished breast development, which can be as late as 19 years old.
Otoplasty. This is performed for those with ear deformities or large ears, another subject of school mocking. The problem can be corrected by surgery early, sometimes at age 5, because the ear is almost fully grown at that point.
Noninvasive procedures. Common procedures requested by teens include skin procedures such as microdermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels. “These improve the overall appearance of the skin, like diminishing acne scars,” Dr. Schimpf says.
“A lot of parents are scared of plastic surgery and the messages it sends to young people,” Dr. Schimpf says. “Being open and honest with a board- certified, credible surgeon is always beneficial. And, any conscious surgeon will listen to parents' concerns regarding the well-being of their child."
About Dennis Schimpf, MD, MBA, FACS
Dennis Schimpf (www.sweetgrassplasticsurgery.com) is the author of Finding Beauty: Think, See and Feel Beautiful, and the founder of Sweetgrass Plastic Surgery, a multi-faceted practice focusing almost exclusively on cosmetic plastic surgery of the face and body. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), as well as a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS).
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That ‘Aha!’ Moment:
7 Ways Entrepreneurs Find Inspiration
Entrepreneurship starts with an idea. One of the challenges once the business gets off the ground, though, is coming up with more ideas that push the company forward.
An idea often stems from inspiration and lacking that, some business owners say, can result in stagnation or a failed enterprise.
“Without innovation and forward thinking, no business can succeed,” says Peter J. Strauss (www.peterjstrauss.com), an attorney, entrepreneur and author of The Business Owner’s Definitive Guide to Captive Insurance Companies. “But being a business owner is very demanding, and at some points, you’ll hit a wall where you can’t seem to come up with new ideas.
“To be a successful entrepreneur, you have to stay on the search for the next idea that will grow your business. And the truth is that most entrepreneurs are in need of some inspiration to ignite those ideas.”
Strauss says there are several solid ways to cultivate inspiration:
Fix things that bug you daily. Entrepreneurs encounter frustrations, and the more bothered they are by certain issues, the more those can become an obstacle in the way of the business. Focusing some attention on negatives of the business and solutions can move it forward. “Your desire to eliminate a daily problem or a building annoyance can inspire you to fix it,” Strauss says.
Listen to your employees. “Ask yourself, ‘How could they get better at what they do?’” Strauss says. “How could they be happier and make our business better as a result of their passion and growth?”
Think outside the box. “The day-to-day grind shouldn’t prevent the entrepreneur from daring to dream,” Strauss says. “Have fun with it; see five to 10 years ahead and where you envision the business being. Further, use that inspiration to fuel sound ideas for expanding the business sooner than you thought, and even adding new ventures.”
Meet with peers. Strauss says an entrepreneur can re-energize and be inspired by being around like-minded leaders and speakers, perhaps at an industry trade show, where participants are pumped up. “It can get you more excited about your business and remind you of why you started it,” Strauss says.
Read frequently. Strauss says leaders learn far more when they not only keep up with industry trends through reading but by reading about topics outside of their industry. “This can really inspire you,” he says, “because when you read outside your niche, you see creativity you’re not used to, and it inspires ideas.”
Unplug and take walks. In the often loud and chaotic world, we live in, especially in the business sphere, entrepreneurs need quiet time to clear their minds and then think freely. “We live with distractions,” Strauss says. “They get in the way if we let them – or if we don’t get away from them on occasion. Walking in nature is a great way to do it. Quiet time opens a door to inspiration and creativity.”
Tailor an existing idea to your business. “You don’t want to exactly copy people, but it’s foolish not to observe and learn from other businesses’ ideas,” Strauss says. “Then find innovative ways to apply them to your business.”
“Inspiration rarely just shows up out of nowhere, uninvited,” Strauss says. “An entrepreneur needs to make time for it and go look for it, and there are a variety of ways to make that search energizing for you and your business.”
About Peter J. Strauss
Peter J. Strauss (www.peterjstrauss.com) is an attorney, entrepreneur and author of several books, including most recently The Business Owner’s Definitive Guide to Captive Insurance Companies. He is the founder and managing member of The Strauss Law Firm, LLC, on Hilton Head Island, S.C, and also the founder and CEO of Hamilton Captive Management, LLC. He is a graduate of the New England School of Law and of Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management program. Strauss also holds an LL.M. in estate planning from the University of Miami and speaks regularly at public seminars.
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