While, on the one hand, the concept of body positivity, understood as the acceptance of oneself and one’s uniqueness without imposing any homologations, is becoming wider and wider, on the other hand, the concept of body positivitythe idea of being aesthetically perfect, based on the canons proposed by the media the ambitions of many young people still remain. Shortly speaking, social media has changed the way we communicate. In recent years, due to the pandemic, many young people are using apps like Instagram or TikTok to introduce yourself to the company and manage their relationships.
73% belonging italian teens confessed to being subjected to some form of aesthetic intervention. Disturbing data that appeared on the occasion of the congress Hair and nails and anti-aging which took place in May in Capri. Treatmentacne, removal unwanted hair or from stretch marksprocedures anti-cellulite or specify liprhinoplasty, aesthetic correction ears and mammoplasty are the most requested interventions.
“Aesthetic procedures are not new, of course, but if in the past they were a resource for the older population who wanted to look younger, and for those who wanted to correct their physical deficiencies, sometimes conditioning them in order to feel better“Today, more and more young people, especially very young teenagers, want to feel in step with the “Instagram look”, homologating their peers and the aesthetic ideal standardized by social networks,” explains the professor. Gabriella Fabbrochini Director of the UOC of Clinical Dermatology, University of Naples. Federico II.
According to experts, a general improvement in economic, social and cultural conditions, as well as simplification and increased accessibility, contribute to expanding the possibility of aesthetic treatment even among the youngest people. Added to this, especially for the younger ones,idealization of beauty and the widespread belief that success in life is somehow intertwined with physical qualities.
“In the age of Instagram, image is everything for many young people. Teenagers share their lives online, consciously or subconsciously seeking validation from “likes”. One of the main reasons patients seek cosmetic surgery is desire to look better in photographs. More and more teenagers want fuller lips and sharper cheekbones, often for the perfect selfie”continues Fabbrochini,
It is important to take into account the procedures of aesthetic interventions performed in the interests of health andpsychological balance of a teenager patient. The presence of an objective physical defect or deformity, for example, causing psychological distress and negatively affecting social life and interaction. In general, aesthetic interventions may be recommended, always done with extreme care and proportionality to those teenagers psychologically healthywhich has expectations that are realistic and whose dissatisfaction stems from the part of the body that needs to be adjusted.
On the other hand, all procedures aimed at achieving “ideal beauty”, at changing one’s ethnic traits, which can subsequently cause a real identity crisis, should not be encouraged. The risk of overuse of corrective surgery is high for those suffering from body dysmorphic disorder. Adolescents with this disorder have normal physical features or slight defects that tend to be exacerbated by an altered perception of themselves, experiencing a strong sense of embarrassment towards others to avoid situations involving direct social contact such as school and relationships. . By resorting to surgery, patients suffering from this disorder can cause a “snowball effect” because no intervention will ever be satisfactory, since the problem is emotional and psychological, not physical, and should be addressed in psychotherapy.
OUR parents they should help children understand when an intervention cannot be performed if the motives arise from unrealistic expectations, defined by ideal and unattainable standards of beauty. doctor determines whether a teenager should undergo a cosmetic procedure, delay treatment, or recommend an occupational psychologist if the patient has severe depression, body dysmorphism, eating disorders, or is involved in chronic addictions.
“There are many risks, among all the availability of non-professional procedures, which can also be won in almost all beauty salons, hairdressers and dentists. The presence on the Internet market of inexpensive fillers that may contain non-sterile substances, an increase in allergic reactions and infections. However, fillers in adolescents can be used to correct an obvious physical defect that creates discomfort in relationships with others and reduces the quality of life. A comprehensive assessment of the physical and psychological characteristics of the adolescent and the reasons for the cosmetic surgery is required. The final choice must be a decision shared by the adolescent, parents and physician. Finally, dermal fillers must be carried out by experienced and qualified professionals”, concludes Professor Fabbrochini.
Source: Elle