When I was teenager, I remember the biggest back-to-school trend usually being related to some type of a new style.
So when I recently read in People Magazine that the newest back-to-school must-have for today’s teens is cosmetic surgery, I was not only shocked, but also saddened. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in 2014, nearly 64,000 of cosmetic surgery patients were teens between the ages of 13- to 19-years-old. And experts believe the trend is sure to rise.
Additionally, plastic surgeons confirm teens are not only getting plastic surgery, but they are also getting liposuction and lip fillers – especially during their summer vacation.
“There has been an increase in teens coming in for plastic surgery,” Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, CEO of BeverlyHillsBody, told PEOPLE. “This is directly related to the surgery of the stars of their reality shows, and the acceptance of cosmetic procedures on social media.”
Now, I’m not against plastic surgery. I believe that it can boost people’s confidence as it can make life-changing transformations for people who have issues that hurt their self-esteem. But I do believe that for teens, it is not the best route. This is especially true, because their bodies and minds are still developing. Who they are today, will not be who they will be next year.
Clinical psychologist Dr. Judy Rosenberg agrees, telling PEOPLE that teens need to make sure they get to the root of their issue before deciding that the solution is cosmetic surgery: “If you find your teenager wanting plastic surgery, do the ‘psycho-surgery’ first, and delve into what is really bothering him or her,” Rosenberg, founder of the Psychological Healing Center, told PEOPLE.
Many plastic surgeons say the surgeries of reality stars have influenced the increase in plastic surgery and other body changing trends. One particular reality star that has been at the center of the “lip filler” trend is Kylie Jenner of The Kardashians. After Jenner got “temporary lip fillers,” a huge lip movement on social media began. Young girls began not only putting fillers in their lips to look like the star, but they also began posting the photos (and some were scary) onto social media. It seemed like young girls started believing in the “beauty is pain” mantra, and it was ridiculous.
I get mad and disappointed when I see celebs using their fame to the detriment of others, especially young girls who are impressionable. Of course, I know they may not be intentionally using their fame to the detriment of others, but they should know that teems who look up to them often do what they do. They are role models, even without wanting to be one. It just is what it is. They should see that as a gift and use that to help others. I just always wonder: Can’t more celebs begin to use their fame to promote girls to love themselves and who they are?
So despite her past, when I read that the Jenner recently launched an anti-bullying campaign through her Instagram, called #IAmMoreThan, I was not only shocked (in a good way), but I was very inspired and happy. The 18-year-old announced to her following that she is featuring six people during the week who have turned their past experiences of bullying into something positive. Here’s what she said about it:
Here are two people who she has featured so far:
Overall, I think this is great and more than anti-bullying campaign. This is about people accepting and loving themselves for who they are. This is something that should she should do consistently. I definitely can’t bash her for using her fame to help people accept themselves. Maybe she should tell them to stop with the plastic surgery and she should do the same. She is beautiful the way that she is and I am sure they are too. I just hope that she now is realizing that she can use her fame for the greater good… to help teens, especially young girls, realize that they don’t have to get all kinds of plastic surgery, lip fillers, or whatever to feel better or beautiful about themselves.
Instead, before deciding on anything that might permanently alter the way you look, everyone should realize that loving themselves is needed first. That is where the true healing begins because yes, you are more.