There's an interesting article in MSNBC.com on the recent trend towards teenagers getting Botox. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), last year over 12,000 Botox or Dysport treatments were performed on people under the age of 18. One plastic surgeon quoted in the article claimed that 5-8% of his Botox patients are teenagers! What percentage of my Botox patients are 18 or under?
Zero!
I guess this would need to be taken on a case-by-case basis, but to date I've never seen a teenager whom I thought would benefit from Botox. The good thing is that Botox injections are temporary with relatively minor side effects or complications. I have no problem with other plastic surgeons performing the procedure. It's just that I choose not to do it. I feel much more strongly against certain surgeries in teens, however, like breast augmentation, which create permanent changes and have consequences that can last for life.
Thanks for reading.
Anthony Youn, M.D.
