when i was younger i always wanted a nose job and now im so happy with myself i wouldnt get anything done!

I hit the wrong button my vote is for them waiting until they are adults! ooops.

I agree with notoriuskitty, in your teens you struggle with the way you look and as an adult you come to appreciate some of those things you were once self concious about.

i think they should wait til they are adults.. i mean most of us did it and were ok now.. nothing bad happened to us! and if they wait till they are adults then they will really know if its what they would like to do or not.. like i have heard of girls getting surguries as grad presents!! haha yea right my dad would have laughed in my face if i would have asked for that! I still think now that im too young to get anything done and im 21!!.. i think if i were going to it would be in the next 5 years.. cuz your body changes so so so so much! its not even funnY!!.. i dont wanna cut it all up until i know forsure its what i want!! but then again i dont have all the money like some of the people out there do!

I dont think anybody should have plastic surgery, young or old. (unless they were in a bad accident or born with a deformity) and ESPECIALLY not teens. every young girl hates something about her body. thats what makes people different. something you might not like on yourself is sometimes what makes you stand out from the boring people.

I think teenagers should not be making these sort of decisions. I think they would make choices, not thought out and on a whim and live to regret it.

Feeling insecure about your chest, go get some D's and then hate it about 4 mnths later-a little hard to correct at that point minus another surgery and more $$.

depends on the plastic surgery... if it is more of a corrective surgery than fine. But just cosmetic then there should be a ban.

not only do i think it's unnecessary and sad that teens want plastic surgery, but their bodies are still growing and developing! why try to change things when their bodies might change anyway. i think i read something in a magazine about how most plastic surgeons refuse to work on teens. let's help teen girls gain self-confidence from within!!!!!

I think they shoudl have to wait until they are adults, and they are "adult" enough to make that choice. It could be a life altering descion, so you have to be 100% on it.
In the meantime, learn about make-up and all the wonder it can do

It's ridiculous for teens to have plastic surgery. Their faces and bodies aren't even done growing. I always felt like I was pretty, but not gorgeous, up until I was 19. Over the past 2 years, something about my face has grown into my new body shape (hello, lady hips) and I think I look damn good now. Albeit I'm 21 and should look damn good, but these girls don't even know how their going to look at 20, 25, 30, can't they just wait and be happily surprised?

I wouldn't argue against a law preventing it.

i'm iffy. on the one hand, teenagers are still growing and their bodies are changing even into their 20s, and plastic surgery is probably premature. but on the other hand, teenagers can be incredibly cruel, so i think if a teen is pretty well through puberty, then maybe surgery could be an option. of course there must be other mitigating factors.

personally, i think women should wait until after having kids because of all the changes the body goes through. i'd hate to have had something done, then have to re-do it because pregnancy wreaked havoc on my body. i figure, let pregnancy run its course, then i'll clean things up afterward, if need be.

Unless there is some major deformity or reconstructive work that needs to be done no teenager should be having plastic surgery. There is a reason why we don't legally allow them to drink alcohol, buy cigarettes, get married, vote, etc. You grow and change so much at this time in your life both physically and mentally. I'm sure most of us would agree that alot of what we thought was cool or the things we did at that age seem like bad ideas now.

Besides plastic surgery is not the path to self esteem or self acceptance. If you are unhappy with yourself breast implants or a nose job are unlikely to change that. We need to teach young people to value themselves and accept who they are first.

Considering my boobs grew another two cups sizes while in college, I don't think plastic surgery should be an option for any teenager! Love the body God gave you!

I'm pretty much against plastic surgery for anyone, with the exception of deformities, etc. It's sad when you can turn on the tv and you can probably find three different channels with plastic surgery shows on. It's just really sad. I wish that people (especially women) could accept their bodies the way they are and this is coming from someone with a body that isn't perfect, but I'm okay with that.

I think it just makes sense to wait until one is finished growing, which is often in the 20's. People look different from 19 to say, 25. They look more mature. I don't know what changes, but it's clear something does. What if they altered their faces before then, and they would have matured beautifully left alone? Legally, I think any minor should have to have a parent. Then it's just up to the parent to raise them right and let the kid decide for his or her self.

I think it depends. If a teenager wants a boob job, lip injections or any other operation to alter their appearance for vain reasons, they shouldn't be allowed. But if they want an operation for reasons due to health (i.e breat reduction) than I'm all for it. I just think there should be an age limit for certain operations, especially when you hear the stories of girls getting boob jobs for their 16th birthday.

I think it depends. If a teenager wants a boob job, lip injections or any other operation to alter their appearance for vain reasons, they shouldn't be allowed. But if they want an operation for reasons due to health (i.e breat reduction) than I'm all for it. I just think there should be an age limit for certain operations, especially when you hear the stories of girls getting boob jobs for their 16th birthday.

For some reasons, I think it's okay, as long as their parents are in on the decision. I do not believe that teenagers should be getting breast implants or anything of that sort.

However, my friend's daughter had such large breasts and they were causing her severe back problems (not to mention self-esteem issues), that she had a reduction when she was 16 years old. I don't see anything wrong with that.

My aunt also allowed my cousin to get a nose job when she was a teenager...again, it was a huge self-esteem issue for her and it was an educated decision made by her parents and her.

So I think there are SOME situations where it's okay, as long as the parents are very much involved.

I think the government should not have a say. It's not like a teenager has the money lying around to run out and get these procedures done. Parents are the one supplying the money for these procedures and therefore it is that family's private business. Every situation is different and only that family can make the right decision for them.

For my own kid it would also depend on the type of surgery and the reason behind the decision making.

I used to think that my nose was HUGE like really disgusting and my family and friends always laughed at me and told me that I was crazy - and I now see why, my nose is not huge AT ALL!! My point is that I think that a certain level of body dismorphia is normal during adolescence and that most grow out of it... SO yes teens SHOULD WAIT!

At those ages they cannot make mature decisions on their bodies. So much is going on, and there still not done with puberty to let the hormones settle down. If there allowed to do whatever they wanted, then they'd have too much surgery done and never be satisfied. I think they need to build more character in an adult state of mind before having plastic surgery.

i know parents are the ones that pay for the surgeries and all since they just wanna see their children happy. still, i think teenagers should wait till they are adults. when i was younger i hated my nose even though i never said i wanted a surgery cuz i knew my parents didn't have the money,maybe if they did i would have mentioned. thank god i wasn't that way cuz know im happy with my nose and i really dont see nothing wrong with it. besides i don't wanna look different that how i looked when i was little and what if my kids get my nose i would't look like them!!!

Yes, definitely banned!

I think it should be available to kids with deformities or things like ears that stick out really bad, but boob jobs? I mean, you aren't even done developing until you're in your 20s.

I know that if I got plastic surgery when I was a teen I would probably be regreting it. My imperfections are totally different from back then. I agree w/ odanielle0 diformities are different then not liking something minor.

As teenagers, you're wanting to look like celebrities and you think any and every flaw you have is noticed by everyone and it's not. I wanted a breat augmentation and a nose job when I was 16 and 17 years old but I never did it and I probably never would. Your view points change as you mature.

when I was younger, I DESPISED my nose. I would've gotten a nose job immediately. but when you're younger, and in middle/high school, what's cool is to be generic, and just like everyone else. when you're older and more mature, you love what is unique about you. it's cool to be...different, and yourself. I think that kids should be given a chance to go through that phase before they make themselves look like malibu barbie.

I'm 19, and while I do feel like there's rather a lot of times when someone undersells my ability to make intelligent decisions on my own, I know that I absolutely don't have enough experience in life yet to know a lot of things. When both money and external appearance are concerned, I think it's a matter that needs to be looked at seriously and carefully before a decision is made. Even for responsible teens that do their research and have money to spend, I don't think plastic surgery should be available in the first place. It affects one's life too much, from what I've seen. I know a good number of older ladies that regret having breast implants when they were too young. I know I might be tempted to rely on physical appearance instead of my intelligence, etc if I altered my appearance through surgery. And I can't take that risk at such a crucial time in my life.
Sorry if this doesn't make a lot of sense - I'm not going on too much sleep right now. College life... I'm all for individual's choice, but where I am right now? I don't want the government to cross this particular line, personally.

What I wonder about is who are the doctors that actually do these surgeries, and the parents who pay for them! We are talking about teenagers being unable to make mature decisions yet the fact that adults let this happens just proves that teenagers aren't the only ones lacking in good judgement.

Why was a picture of a red head used for this article?

It sould be banned; I'm 16 and while I'm against plastic surgery, it's easy to have those thoughts - and in this era it's far to easy to convince yourself that surgery is the answer to being more confident. I don't believe in any age getting work done so of course I don't like the idea of teens getting surgery.

teens are too young- their bodies are still changing.

it's a little sad that they have a bad self image in the first place... but its better to boost your confidence than to hide in your skin~

oh please. kids are so obnoxious. kids need to learn how to accept who they are/ what their features look like. they don't really know what they are getting themselves into. the parents who are financing any elective surgery for teens aren't parenting. they are not helping their kids in a non-superficial way. it doesn't help in the long run. whatever imperfect noses don't kill you will make you stronger.

Plastic surgery option = 18 and over. Like everyone knows, you don't come into your full face or body once you're at least 23-28.

I think they should wait until they are at least 18. Its a big decision and a life changing one.

How many of you who voted that there should be a ban on plastic surgery for teens are OK with legal abortion for teens? Based on the polls on this website, it seems like more people are fine with abortion than plastic surgery, yet abortion is certainly a much more serious surgical decision. One major pro-choice argument is that it is not the place of government to tell women and girls what they should do with their bodies. If you believe this, why do you think it is the place of the government to ban other elective surgeries? Plastic surgery, while it can have negative consequences, only affects the girl or woman. In most cases, it increases their self confidence. Abortion, on the other hand, affects the life of the unborn child as well as the girl or woman. I think that plastic surgery for teens is a bad idea in many cases, but I still think it is a personal choice.

Many teens are insecure about their looks. I think waiting until they are a legal adult at 18 is fine, and waiting gives them the chance to make a better informed decision.

I m not sure it all depends on the situation, if a young girl has a deformity or something then yes but if it is just cause she is a spoiled brat then NO!!!

I think, unless it is an extenuating circumstance (if discomfort is involved or severe disfigurement) plastic surgery should definitely be banned for teenagers. At that point in their lives they are still growing and forming, and as most doctors will tell you, getting plastic surgery done while this is going on is not such a bright idea, especially since they don't know if the "imperfection" will fix itself. You and I both know that they are only getting it done to one-up their classmates, and that is soooo not a valid reason for it.

Teens shouldn't get plastic surgery until they are legally adults or unless it is for serious health reasons or serious deformities that would socially stunt them. Ex. 14 year old boy lost his eye in fire cracker accident. Provide surgery to make him feel normal.

I strongly believe that under no circumstances other than those above should teenagers or children get plastic surgery. They are still finding themselves at that tender age range and may think that the surgery is a quick fix to make them feel better. There are no quick fixes in life that leave people truly happy.

It's sad to hear and see adults buying their daughters breasts for the sweet 16 or buying them a new nose. Parents like these are only supporting the twisted sense that we need to 'fix' all of our 'imperfections'. These imperfections make us who we are.

I don't blame the teens cause of the media. but what is another 2 years..not even a big diff. Money talks.

I think plastic surgery should be reserved for those who need it, like serious accident and burns victims. Children should be allowed to surgery if they have conditions or serious scars and they are just looking for normality. I think 18 is still too young.

I'm astounded that this isn't *already* a law.

NOTE: Permitting teenagers authority over their body is a very delicate issue. While I do think teens should have the capability to get an abortion with or without a parent's consent I think it's completely wrong to allow them to have cosmetic procedures with or without parental consent. I don't know what the difference is precisely, but the "their bodies are still changing" argument is valid and reason enough for me.

I have mixed feelings about this. I know alot of people my age that have had plastic surgery already and I'm only 18. Like when I graduated alot of girls got boob jobs as graduation presents... from thier parents. I think thats ridiculous. But I had two close friends that got plastic surgery, for good reason. One got a breast REDUCTION in 10th grade because she was having really bad back problems. And my other friend after she graduated got a nose job because she broke it at a young age and her nose was so crooked she couldn't breathe out of one of her nostrols (sp?).

I don't think teen plastic surgery should totally be outlawed but maybe have it on a need-it-done basis. Does that make sense?

i take back what i said. i wasnt completely thinking this through when i said that it should be banned, because both my sister and my best friend had rhinoplasty surgery. My sister was 19, and my friend Sara was 10 when she did her surgery the first time. Sara had to have two more done, but in both cases it was due to the fact that they had breathing problems through their noses, and it was reflecting through their heatlh problems.

so, i feel that it should be legal for teens, as long as it is not for cosmetic purposes, and only for health reasons.

Absolutely. Kids are so cruel but I think they need time and experiences to learn.

You haven't even finishes developing yet....

now i do believe that the door for teens does need to stay open people yes lots of teens do NEED plastic surgery. but i will say that i got plastic surgery when i was 16 and it was not for a health reason. i dont regret it, i dont think that i did something wrong. i dont think that me doing it now rather than then would make a difference. other than me not liking my nose for the past few years.i was mature enough to know what i was doing, what i wanted, i got it and am still happy with it now and always will be cus i have a damn cute nose and anyone who wants to say that plastic surgery makes a person shallow is being ridiculous because everything these days is all about tucking things in to hide what you dont like, and camoflaging the things on your face with the latest makeup products so dont judge someone whos also trying to fix one of their flaws.