New Trend Shows More Teens Are Getting Botox
24
Comments
It seems kind of backwards for people under 18 to get procedures to look young, but a new trend shows that teens are getting into the Botox craze to fight the signs of aging. "I wanted to be cute, to look cute, but I had these ugly lines in between my eyebrows and on my forehead," says Stephanie Torres, 19, tells MSNBC. "So I asked if I could get Botox. My mom paid for it. It was like a little birthday present."
Dubbed the "teen toxing trend," the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported nearly 4,000 more Botox procedures performed on patients 18 and under in 2009 than recorded in 2008. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons also reported a 2 percent increase in Botox procedures performed on patients ages 13 to 19 from 2008 to 2009.
Botox is the brand name for botulinum toxin, which is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In big doses, the injectable can cause botulism, a paralyzing illness. But, when used cosmetically, the protein is diluted and used in small doses that weaken muscles, causing the youthful effect.
"I've heard from colleagues that kids are coming in with their moms and saying, 'Can I have Botox, too? I feel like I need it,'" says Dr. Mark Jewell, a plastic surgeon and rep for the Physician's Coalition for Injectable Safety. "Botox is a blockbuster of a product, but should a teenager be getting it? I think the answer is no."
What's your take on the Botox debate? Should teens be getting these procedures? Is it smart or stupid to try to ward off signs of aging before the age of 18? Would you do it? Let us know in the comments below.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
leschulte13 Jun 28th 2010 3:04PM
You guys! Really? I can't actually think of anything to say. I guess the people who think they need Botox probably need a huge self-esteem boost, or their parents have been spoiling them. I just feel sorry for you.
sarah Jun 29th 2010 9:30PM
They should check out the photo's of Kate Gosslin jogging, find out who her dr. is and make sure they DON'T go to him:) Man botox has really ruined any looks she had to start with. I feel bad for the kids, they'll all think she is forever mad at them.
michalrox124 Jun 28th 2010 8:24PM
i dont know why people are doing this! why do people want to change how they look? they are all beautiful the way they were made!
Bianca Jun 29th 2010 12:45AM
Seriously people? BOTOX??? That's what ADULTS get, so they can look younger!! YOU'RE 18 FOR PETE'S SAKE!!!! You don't need to look younger!!! Gosh, what people will do...it's so sad...
Marcie Jun 29th 2010 8:25PM
How young does a 17 year old want to look, like a 6 year old?
angel Jun 29th 2010 8:27PM
that is totally sick, what is going in with these sick psycho plastic surgeons, i lose more and more respect for the medical community daily, they better watch it because once the public losses trust, it is hard to ge it back.
that is totally sick, shame on those quack drs
Nicole Jun 30th 2010 2:42AM
The people you should really be calling "sick" and "disgusting" (and i agree) are the parents for letting their kids get this crap. If they're under 18 they need parental consent. The doctors can't really do much about it, they're not supposed to refuse treatment. Besides, they want the money. People do worse for money every day.
Neon Jun 30th 2010 5:05AM
Nicole--A doctor CAN refuse the treatment to anyone he/she wants. One can't be refused treatment for a life-threatening issue (no, on second thought a doctor can refuse to treat someone if they think they are in a situation for which they could be making a quick, yet still incorrect diagnosis, and be sued) or in an emergency room. But, any doctor, at any time, can refuse to anyone, any kind of cosmetic procedure. But the$e pla$tic $urgeon$ all have their rea$on$ for not refu$ing the procedure$ to even, ba$ically, kid$. Lot$ of rea$on$. Lot$.
MARY Jun 29th 2010 9:06PM
Botox on teens????!!!! Any Dr. that uses Botox on teens to make them look younger needs to have their med license yanked !!! Like "Marcie" said..."How young does a 17 year old want to look, like a 6 year old?"
...or maybe an infant?? Not to mention you're putting a toxin into your body.
MARY Jun 29th 2010 9:10PM
Botox on teens????!!!! Any Dr. that uses Botox on teens to make
them look younger needs to have their med license yanked !!! Like
"Marcie" said..."How young does a 17 year old want to look, like a 6
year old?"
...or maybe an infant?? Not to mention you're putting a toxin into
your body.
Bryan L. Jun 29th 2010 9:19PM
Marcie
Jun 29th 2010 8:25PM
How young does a 17 year old want to look, like a 6 year old?====== Great comment. Took the words right out of my mouth.. When I was 17 there were way to many other things on my mind than me looking old.. When I read this article I couldn't stop laughing because I was honestly thinking what Marice wrote. LOL. If these kids feel like they look old at 18 and under right now can you imagine how they will feel when they are in their 40's and 50's ?
Rusty Jun 29th 2010 10:14PM
Perhaps a shot of Botox in the privates would cool the blood and prevent both births and STDs. Males and females could use such treatments.
colleen Jun 29th 2010 10:27PM
Botox actually helps prevent migranes. If I had known that when I was 15 I would have definitley wanted to get toxed.:O)
colleen Jun 29th 2010 10:31PM
Botox actually helps prevent migranes by temporarily paralyzing the nerves in the forehead.I did was in a migrane study which tested Botox. I went from 3-4 dibilating migranes a month to 1 every 3 to 4 months. If I had known that when I was 14 on I would have definitley wanted to get toxed.:O)
Sue Jun 29th 2010 11:05PM
Please dont confuse a REAL medical reason for it (migraines) with these IDIOTS who have idiots for parents who are STUPID enough to worry about a couple of lines in the forehead....pathetic..truly pathetic. Lets make sure not to hire that girl..she obviously cant make sane choices.
SKOOLI Jun 29th 2010 10:35PM
Teens need to hit those books! If not they won't be able to compete with the intelligent foreigners that are taking all the jobs!!
Pat De Range Jun 29th 2010 11:17PM
This stuff is not safe...my son has CP and our doctor recomended botox for him to relax his arms, there were a lot of shots in his arms. He got really sick from it. We took him to Hardies for a reward for the pain he had to endure..he wasn't able to eat. So we thought he was coming down with something. It was two weeks before he started to eat close to normal. 4 mos. later it was time for the shorts again, and he got sick again..this time we knew it was the shots that made him so sick..he went fro 122 down to 103 in just 3 mos. gained a little back just in time for the second round of shots. I told the doctor the next day that he wasn't getting anymore shots because he was sick again and we knew it was the shots that did it. And of course the doctor said it wasn't the shots..what else was she going to say, God forbid they should be honest about the side affects! So be carefull and pay attention to how you feel after the shots, they aren't safe.
ppopeci Jun 30th 2010 1:03AM
As a 17 yr old, there are of course things i don't like about myself, but thats for everybody. Other teens need to realize that fixing the few problems we have now will be nothing like fixing all the other problems we will have when we actually start getting wrinkles and sagging skin. i think that pretty much you are setting yourself up for disaster and a life long dependence on plastic surgery and botox.Enjoy being young.And stopping worrying and obsessing over the few small wrinkles everyone has despite the age.
JEB BUCKINGHAM Jun 30th 2010 1:14AM
Vanity, thy name is WOMAN.
Nicole Jun 30th 2010 2:43AM
Ever heard of calf muscle implants? Yea. Guys are just as bad, I'm so damn tired of anything remotely vain getting completely pinned on women. There are tons of conceited jerks out there too.