Aesthetic procedure in young people: health or vanity? Dr. Kalil debates
The search for aesthetic procedures among teenagers and young people has grown remarkably, driven, in large part, by constant comparisons on social networks. The topic was discussed by Dr. Roberto Kalil, on CNN Sinais Vitais, with plastic surgery specialists Marcelo Sampaio, president of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery, and Luciana Pepino, who highlighted the importance of distinguishing purely aesthetic interventions from those motivated by medical necessity.
According to Marcelo, young people are increasingly insecure about their appearance, which leads them to seek changes in their bodies. "This problem exists. Young people are constantly comparing themselves to others", he stated, referring to the role of social media in this process.
Medical x aesthetic necessity
Sampaio highlighted that not every procedure that appears aesthetic is, in fact, motivated by vanity. As an example, he reported having operated on a 14-year-old patient who had severe breast hypertrophy. "I removed 1.2 kg of breast tissue from each side. Living with a breast volume like that limits everything," he said.
For the surgeon, cases like this do not qualify as cosmetic surgery. "I don't consider a surgery like this to be cosmetic surgery, it's a medical necessity", he stressed.
The doctor argued that each case must be assessed individually, taking into account the seriousness of the situation and the real need for intervention. Careful evaluation, according to him, is essential before any surgical decision involving young people.
It is possible to stay healthy without invasive procedures
Plastic surgeon Luciana Pepino answered a question from a viewer about the possibility of staying healthy and "beautiful" without resorting to invasive procedures. "It's possible. With a good diet, with basic care, with good skincare [for the face], if you take care of your skin, it's possible," he said. Sampaio added, citing constant physical activity, little variation in body weight and a balanced diet as essential pillars.
Experts point to excessive sun exposure as one of the biggest enemies of youthful skin. Sampaio warned that intense tanning can cause irreversible damage to the skin, especially when associated with weight changes.
He also mentioned that some bodily changes, such as those resulting from pregnancy or menopause, are natural physiological variations and are not always reversible with healthy habits alone.
In these cases, small technological interventions can be considered as a complement to care. "Bodily changes after pregnancy have a lot to do with weight gain. If the person maintains their usual weight, without major variations, they can reverse much of the process", concluded Marcelo.
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Source: CNN