"Even more disturbingly, 5% of 11- to 16-year-olds would consider Botox."
11 to 16 is quite a huge age gap to poll. An 11 year old girl and a 16 year old girl are at completely different places in their development, attitudes, and body images.
Why does everyone assume that 5% came from the 11 year old spectrum? It most likely came from the older side of it that is more plugged into that sort of thing. And all they said was "they'd consider it" not that they wanted it now. #teensplasticsurgery
@I_love_salt: When I was 12 I was asked what college I WENT to. At 22, I was carded to get in rated R movies and asked by strangers overhearing my conversations what I was doing at clubs when I should be studying for the SATs. Now that I'm 26, people either think I'm 22 or 33. #teensplasticsurgery
I have a severely deviated septum that does not affect anything except my self-perception. My nose is significantly pushed to one side. I want to get it fixed and my insurance will cover it if I just say it affects my breathing.
Everyone tells me to leave it, that it makes me different. I plan to fix it next year.
@Master.And.Everyone: Don't judge yourself too harshly. I would get it taken care of in your unique situation. I've honestly wished I had a deviated septum so I could justify a nose job, and I am typically a "love yourself, you unique butterfly" mega hippy. #teensplasticsurgery
@Lizabelle: How does that work? Does it shrink the hemorrhoid, or just numb it? I have a... friend... with hemorrhoids, and she's totally fascinated with the different treatments for them. #teensplasticsurgery
@GirlFailer: It paralyzes the tissue which alleviates pain and may actually shrink them...but I'm not really sure because I don't understand all the medical details.
is this really all that different from how young girls/ women have always thought? just because botox wasn't a household name back in the 70s when i was a young thing in this age group, it didn't mean we didn't look at the fashion magazines of the day and wish we had longer legs/ better skin/ better teeth/ smaller nose. as soon as we can look in a mirror and "compare" i think this process begins. it's just that botox is a household name now, so that's why it's being cited by these girls.
please, when i was 17, if you'd told me you had an injection that would've immediately cleared up all my zits and made my skin instantly smooth and clear, damn straight i'd have jumped on that offer! #teensplasticsurgery
@msAnthrope: Thank you. Every time I hear one of these studies I cringe at the inevitable "OMG, the kids these days it was NOTHING like this when I was that age! It's so DIFFERENT now." Things haven't changed people, just the technology.
And honestly, they didn't say the girls were GETTING the surgeries and botox they wanted just that they wanted them done. I can't imagine these stats are any different than it's always been. #teensplasticsurgery
Taking care of your skin is very important and shapes how your skin will be in the future.
I have seen teenagers wear an ungodly amount of makeup. They probably do not understand the concept of moisturizers, makeup primers, or even how to properly clean off the makeup every night.
Frankly, I think it ages them more quickly and you see the problems later from not having taken care of themselves. #teensplasticsurgery
@J.D.Regent: Makeup has a lot of chemicals in it that you do not want to have on your face for long periods of time. Any leftover makeup will build up into your pores.
Beauty isn't the most important thing in the world, but if you do care, it's better to take care of yourself than the plastic surgeon. #teensplasticsurgery
i met a guy who was 21 and getting botoxed ON THE REGULAR.
At 21!
Granted, he had a slew of other issues. (including moving across the country for a boy he barely knew, and then trashing that boy's apartment & stealing his stuff, after a few weeks.)
@yet i: So? I got Juvederm and I'm 21. Some people just age differently through no fault of their own. I stay out of the sun, drink water, don't drink/smoke/do drugs, exercise, take care of my skin, etc., but , I still look ten years older than I am. Point is, maybe he had a legitimate reason for getting Botox. If it made him feel better who cares? #teensplasticsurgery
But this guy was coming from a place of extreme self loathing (it seems), and by all accounts, totally looked his age. well, if someone his age went through a wind tunnel.
There will ALWAYS be exception to the rule (hypothetical, rule, anyway). But by and large, i think most people who are having cosmetic procedures such as botox, or facelifts, or what have you, at 21 do not do so because they "look ten years older than they are" but primarily because of the incredible fear of getting older. #teensplasticsurgery
@BB: You won't be heard under the clamor of voices babbling about self-esteem, and the need to look professional. Our culture is so fucking toxic we can't even taste the poison any more. #teensplasticsurgery
@BB: Well, I wasn't actually talking about myself I was just saying that it might have made yet i's acquaintance feel better. If you reread what I wrote that last sentence doesn't have a "me" in it. Personally, it didn't make me feel better but it made me look better. *shrugs* #teensplasticsurgery
@Evie Havok: I wish I could promote your "people age differently." Conventional beauty is leverage and some people are blessed with it--I can't fault someone for pursuing it, unless they go out of their way to judge people for not meeting their standards. Otherwise I call bullshit on automatically judging someone as being shallow for worrying about their looks (enh...to be fair, to a point, but my threshold is high).
I don't see how it's surprising that middle-schoolers are thinking about Botox, because we DO have a culture obsessed with youth; the desire to find the perfect procedure or topical regimen is everywhere.
And why shouldn't the market and the media pursue it? Haven't we been obsessed with the equation of wrinkle-free, taut-skinned youth since...forever, even BEFORE television and Britney Spears-type Madonna/whore starlets? It's an expensive, likely futile, humiliating, and costly pursuit...a lucrative idea to sell and to promote among men and especially women. #teensplasticsurgery
Obviously kids find out about things like Botox, and breast implants from ads and television in most cases. I'm sure some of it comes from watching mom go to her monthly botulism injection appointment, but mostly it's ads and TV. Which leaves me wondering how many parents actually address the media's influence on young girls. I don't remember seeing any ads for plastic surgery, and medical spas when I was a kid, but they are pretty much standard fare on daytime TV nowadays. We had MTV, and magazines with skinny women, but I think the new surgical craze in media is going to affect girls even worse. They have shows dedicated to before and after procedures on popular teen channels. It's no wonder these girls think it's the norm. #teensplasticsurgery
You know things are fucked up when teenagers want to look like 40 year old movie stars who are paralyzing their faces to look like teenagers. #teensplasticsurgery
My self-proclaimed "hippie/liberal/totally more awesome than you in every progressive way" MIL is considering paying for an 18-year-old granddaughter's new breasts. I suggested that perhaps she should be concerned about the girl's emotional health and self-esteem at the young age of 18. But no. Because she's "flat-chested" and "doesn't feel like a real woman" she actually thinks a boob job is a necessity. Awesome message there, Progressive Grandma. #teensplasticsurgery
In thinking about this, I have realized that when I was a teen, I did look up to models and actresses more than, say, academics or writers. I turned out all right, I think, but I've been wondering what has changed.
Youth/beauty has always been important. I don't want to dismiss this with a sweep of my hand like "OMG SO SHALLOW," because I think it's a normal reaction to the culture we live in.
What makes me laugh about Botox is that it always seems to be used by women who profess their healthy lifestyles. They probably eat organic and exercise regularly, but inject poison into their faces. The disconnect there is so funny it's sad. #teensplasticsurgery
@Penny: I think that when I was younger, yeah, I looked at models and thought they were beautiful, but that was the end of it. Now we have surgeries to "help" us look like the models and actresses. And they are all over TV and magazines. I think that changes teen girls' ideas about beauty, Instead of thinking that a model is pretty and ending it at that, they think of the options that are out there to change their bodies to achieve the "ideal" body type. There's been a shift from admiring a woman's beauty to striving to attain it. #teensplasticsurgery
@GirlFailer: I don't think it's as bas as all that, unless things have drastically changed in the 2 years since I was a teenager. When you're that age surgery and botox and whatever else the celebrities are doing to look good is not a viable option unless you have super-indulgent parents who either have the money or are willing to go into debt to please your every whim. And these people do exist, but they're not the norm.
Do I think it's problematic and a shame? Yes, because these girls and boys grow up to be women and men who feel that image is the most important thing. But a boob job and other surgery are still not on par with getting a new haircut or putting on makeup. #teensplasticsurgery
@Blueberry26: I was a teenager a few more years ago than 2, that's what I was basing my statement on. I wasn't trying to say that girls now are rushing out to get boob jobs, but according to the statistics above, they are interested in changing their body surgically. Which is problematic.
My other point was 8-9 years ago, botox and elective plastic surgery weren't quite on the radar of your average teen girl as it is now. It's thrown in their faces in all media outlets. Hence the "haircut to boob job" comment. It wasn't meant to be literal, but to show a shift in the way that girls think now, opposed to when I was a teenager. #teensplasticsurgery
@GirlFailer: Yeah, I see what you're saying. But I don't think what's actually happening is quite as bad as this study would imply. Are more girls thinking of plastic surgery as an option? Probably. But it's not a real option for most, and most don't end up doing it at least not until they're older and can pay for it themselves.
But before Botox, there were face lifts and collagen lip injections. And people, particularly women, have always been willing to go to great lengths to make themselves more attractive. A certain plant toxin that dilates your pupils used to be really popular because back then big pupils were considered hot. But it can cause blindness. Also, corsets? The mindset that leads to so many women and girls wanting these procedures is harmful, but nothing new. The means may change, but the reasons haven't. #teensplasticsurgery
probably because it's cited by name on the billions of reality/ celebrity tv shows that everybody watches. the word botox is now like "kleenex" in that i'm not sure people all specifically want this procedure; they just want something injectable for their skin that will make them look "better." #teensplasticsurgery
@msAnthrope: Okay - I understand if they have a very vague idea it will "help" their skin. But not if these kids are obsessing over nonexistent "11" lines. #teensplasticsurgery
Eff this. I know why I wanted plastic surgery when I was a teen. I was fkin awkward. It's a stage. I have now grown into my face. I went to my old high school this past weekend for a band competition and my not awkwardness stood out.
PS, girls who get boob jobs in their teens? WTF parents? They're still growing. #teensplasticsurgery
@madeofawesome: Right? I thought most teens wanted surgery. I know I did.
I guess the difference is, I had sensible parents who put their foot down.
"I don't care if Christina got a nose job! I'm not Christina's mother, if she jumped off a bridge, would you!?" #teensplasticsurgery
11/03/09
11 to 16 is quite a huge age gap to poll. An 11 year old girl and a 16 year old girl are at completely different places in their development, attitudes, and body images.
Why does everyone assume that 5% came from the 11 year old spectrum? It most likely came from the older side of it that is more plugged into that sort of thing. And all they said was "they'd consider it" not that they wanted it now. #teensplasticsurgery
11/03/09
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11/03/09
Everyone tells me to leave it, that it makes me different. I plan to fix it next year.
This article is about spot-on, sadly. #teensplasticsurgery
11/03/09
11/03/09
So yea, I've considered Botox.
Mostly, I've considered how uncomfortable it would be to have it shot up my ass. #teensplasticsurgery
11/03/09
11/03/09
Sorry I can't help you....r friend....more. #teensplasticsurgery
11/03/09
11/03/09
Thank you for that. #teensplasticsurgery
11/03/09
please, when i was 17, if you'd told me you had an injection that would've immediately cleared up all my zits and made my skin instantly smooth and clear, damn straight i'd have jumped on that offer! #teensplasticsurgery
11/03/09
And honestly, they didn't say the girls were GETTING the surgeries and botox they wanted just that they wanted them done. I can't imagine these stats are any different than it's always been. #teensplasticsurgery
11/03/09
I have seen teenagers wear an ungodly amount of makeup. They probably do not understand the concept of moisturizers, makeup primers, or even how to properly clean off the makeup every night.
Frankly, I think it ages them more quickly and you see the problems later from not having taken care of themselves. #teensplasticsurgery
11/03/09
11/03/09
Beauty isn't the most important thing in the world, but if you do care, it's better to take care of yourself than the plastic surgeon. #teensplasticsurgery
11/03/09
At 21!
Granted, he had a slew of other issues. (including moving across the country for a boy he barely knew, and then trashing that boy's apartment & stealing his stuff, after a few weeks.)
but... botox... at 20-fucking-1!
NO GO. #teensplasticsurgery
11/03/09
11/03/09
But this guy was coming from a place of extreme self loathing (it seems), and by all accounts, totally looked his age. well, if someone his age went through a wind tunnel.
There will ALWAYS be exception to the rule (hypothetical, rule, anyway). But by and large, i think most people who are having cosmetic procedures such as botox, or facelifts, or what have you, at 21 do not do so because they "look ten years older than they are" but primarily because of the incredible fear of getting older. #teensplasticsurgery
11/03/09
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11/03/09
I don't see how it's surprising that middle-schoolers are thinking about Botox, because we DO have a culture obsessed with youth; the desire to find the perfect procedure or topical regimen is everywhere.
And why shouldn't the market and the media pursue it? Haven't we been obsessed with the equation of wrinkle-free, taut-skinned youth since...forever, even BEFORE television and Britney Spears-type Madonna/whore starlets? It's an expensive, likely futile, humiliating, and costly pursuit...a lucrative idea to sell and to promote among men and especially women. #teensplasticsurgery
11/03/09
11/03/09
11/03/09
11/03/09
11/03/09
Youth/beauty has always been important. I don't want to dismiss this with a sweep of my hand like "OMG SO SHALLOW," because I think it's a normal reaction to the culture we live in.
What makes me laugh about Botox is that it always seems to be used by women who profess their healthy lifestyles. They probably eat organic and exercise regularly, but inject poison into their faces. The disconnect there is so funny it's sad. #teensplasticsurgery
11/03/09
11/03/09
Yes, with something other than a hairstyle or makeup. #teensplasticsurgery
11/03/09
11/03/09
Do I think it's problematic and a shame? Yes, because these girls and boys grow up to be women and men who feel that image is the most important thing. But a boob job and other surgery are still not on par with getting a new haircut or putting on makeup. #teensplasticsurgery
11/03/09
My other point was 8-9 years ago, botox and elective plastic surgery weren't quite on the radar of your average teen girl as it is now. It's thrown in their faces in all media outlets. Hence the "haircut to boob job" comment. It wasn't meant to be literal, but to show a shift in the way that girls think now, opposed to when I was a teenager. #teensplasticsurgery
11/04/09
But before Botox, there were face lifts and collagen lip injections. And people, particularly women, have always been willing to go to great lengths to make themselves more attractive. A certain plant toxin that dilates your pupils used to be really popular because back then big pupils were considered hot. But it can cause blindness. Also, corsets? The mindset that leads to so many women and girls wanting these procedures is harmful, but nothing new. The means may change, but the reasons haven't. #teensplasticsurgery
11/03/09
11/03/09
11/03/09
probably because it's cited by name on the billions of reality/ celebrity tv shows that everybody watches. the word botox is now like "kleenex" in that i'm not sure people all specifically want this procedure; they just want something injectable for their skin that will make them look "better." #teensplasticsurgery
11/03/09
11/03/09
PS, girls who get boob jobs in their teens? WTF parents? They're still growing. #teensplasticsurgery
11/03/09
I guess the difference is, I had sensible parents who put their foot down.
"I don't care if Christina got a nose job! I'm not Christina's mother, if she jumped off a bridge, would you!?" #teensplasticsurgery
08/04/09