There is a rising concern about reports of cosmetic interventions on children1 and the appropriateness of children undergoing cosmetic interventions (surgical and non-surgical) is controversial.
There are few studies looking at the psychological factors of minors who seek cosmetic treatments, or studies that look at the appropriateness of performing these procedures. Considering the increased rates of aesthetic intervention worldwide, this article will discuss the professional and legal obligations that practitioners have when children, and their parents, present to clinic seeking cosmetic interventions. In Scotland, those between 16-18 can be considered adults.2 However, in most of the UK a child is regarded as anyone under the age of 18, so for the purpose of this article, those under the age of 18 years are considered a child.
The desire for cosmetic interventions is prevalent in both males and females of varying socio-economic backgrounds and ages.3 The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery found a total of…
