Thursday, July 29, 2010

Cosmetic Surgery for Teenagers

Charice - singing

The recent news about Charice Pempengco receiving Botox and Thermage treatments has stirred up controversy worldwide. The controversy centers mainly on the question on whether teenagers should be undergoing cosmetic treatments at a relatively early age. In my practice, I do not encourage cosmetic surgery in teens unless there are serious issues about a teenager's self-esteem that can only be corrected with a surgical procedure. If there is a history of the teenager suffering emotionally because of a body feature such as a saddle nose or a flat chest, there may be justification for performing cosmetic surgery to improve the teenager's self-esteem.

In the case of the procedures Charice Pempengco underwent, we are not dealing with deformities brought about by a congenital deformity (such as cleft lip or palate) or due to trauma (such as car accidents or burns) but instead, doing procedures on a normal-looking teen. There have been conflicting reports about why she underwent these procedures. If she was experiencing jaw pain, this can be an indication for treatment with botulinum toxin injections. If done for cosmetic reasons, the question is whether she underwent these procedures because she herself was bothered about the fullness of her face. I believe that a doctor should not convince a patient that she needs a certain procedure if she herself does not bring up a concern about a certain feature. Even parents should not convince their children to undergo cosmetic procedures. It can be harmful to a child's self esteem to be told she/ he needs a cosmetic procedure.

Aside from the issue of Charice Pempengco's age, another concern is the fact that the procedures were done publicly, with entertainment reporters witnessing the event and writing about it. As a plastic surgeon, this concerns me because we don't want to send the wrong message about these procedures. First of all, we don't want full-faced individuals, especially teenagers, to come to the conclusion that having a full face is something that needs correcting. Because she is a public figure and she underwent these procedures publicly, Charice Pempengco seems to have given this message, even if unintentionally.

Also, doing the procedures publicly seems to trivialize cosmetic procedures because people can get the impression that these are beauty parlor procedures. In my practice, I have seen many patients who have undergone some procedures in places like beauty parlors and who require some kind of corrective surgery. Cosmetic procedures should not be taken lightly and even seemingly simple procedures like nose augmentation and eyelid surgery can have serious complications when not done by qualified, board certified doctors.

Read more of these articles:How to Select a Qualified Plastic SurgeonThe Cosmetic Surgery Scene in the Philippines

Please feel free to email Dr. Lasa if you have any questions.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery PhilippinesInformation about procedures, prices, selecting a qualified surgeonand having affordable cosmetic plastic surgery in the Philippines

Saturday, July 03, 2010

The four day annual Aesthetic Meeting of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation for 2010 truly lived up to its theme of being “A Capital Experience with a Global Perspective.”

The scientific program included scientific sessions and teaching courses on topics such as the Role of Biofilms in Implant related Complications, Hot Topics in Aesthetic Surgery, Mastopexy Augmentation: Making the Right Choices, Optimizing Outcomes in Breast Augmentation, New Devices in Plastic Surgery, The Pinch Blepharoplasty for Safer and Superior Results and many more. After each session, participants were given the opportunity to ask questions, to provide for an interactive learning experience.

Among the international faculty of key opinion leaders were Renato Saltz, Jack Fisher, William Adams, Bahman Guyuron, Foad Nahai, and many more world renowned plastic surgeons. Exhibits featuring the latest developments in the field of aesthetic surgery were held at the Prince George’s Exhibition Hall of the Convention Center. The opportunity to see the latest in products and services was also an educational experience for the participants.

Before the conference proper, there were optional courses and the Allergan academy, which gives continuing education about Breast Surgery. This year’s theme was “Optimizing Outcomes in Revsion Breast Surgery”.


The annual Aesthetic Meeting of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons is considered by many aesthetic plastic surgeons to be the most important convention of the year.


Read more of these articles:How to Select a Qualified Plastic SurgeonThe Cosmetic Surgery Scene in the Philippines
Please feel free to
email Dr. Lasa if you have any questions.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Philippines Information about procedures, prices, selecting a qualified surgeon and having affordable cosmetic plastic surgery in the Philippines