Teens are headed to their fave plastic surgeon and asking for Botox because of it's muscle relaxing capability. So, say they hate that they have a "gummy smile". They go and get Botox on their upper lip to relax those nerves so that when they smile, their lip lays there and voila! Gummy smile no more. And this is just one example of what they are using the medication for. Listed in the article (link below) are other treatment examples.
"According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, last year, botulinum toxin, which is sold here under the brand names Botox and Dysport, was injected into Americans ages 13 to 19 nearly 12,000 times, including some teenagers who got multiple doses. The number represented a 2 percent increase from 2008, the society said." - NY Times
Now, here is my hangup. Other than the obvious fact that teens should not be resourcing to cosmetic procedures to feel better about themselves is the obvious fact that this is a cosmetic procedure. Conducted at a medical office. Which means, if they are minors, there has to be an adult to give consent. Right? So, you are telling me that mom and/or dad are driving my little friends to the Plastics so they can feel better about themselves. Right? Am I getting this right?!?!
Parents: WHAT MESSAGE ARE WE GIVING OUR YOUTH HERE?!?!?!?!?!
I'm sorry but I am going to have to blame the parents here! Why is it that instead of having a heart to heart about what is really going on, parents are saying, ok, you don't like your face, let's get it fixed.
Moms, dads, please! If you don't know what to say, there are tons of resources out there to help you encourage your teens! Don't go the easy route just to appease them or because you are fearful yourselves that they are getting teased.
Katherine Schwarzenegger, author of "Rock What You've Got" wrote this on the subject: "My view: everyone will always be made fun of! There is nothing that you can do that will ensure that you or your child will never be teased or feel insecure again for as long as they live. If your child's smile is too gummy, their jaw too square, or they complain that they need botox to prevent them from aging, botox is not what they need and botox is not what will help them. What they need is supportive words and love to urge them to be the unique person that they are. Self-esteem is what is at the root of all of this." - Huffington Post
There you go. Self esteem! This is what needs to be addressed. This is where we need to encourage and support. Not by running to the surgeon, but by finding out what's really the issue and targeting that.
I hope and pray that the parents of teens of today become more resourceful and learn what is going on their teens lives!
Oh, and by the way, I TOTALLY have a gummy smile!!! :oD
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/12/fashion/12SKIN.html?_r=1
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katherine-schwarzenegger/teen-toxing_b_691678.html
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