The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported that in 2008, more than 160,000 American youth, ages 19 and younger, underwent cosmetic surgery.

This number, which includes procedures such as liposuction, Botox injections, breast augmentation and eyelid surgery, is actually quite a bit lower than the 2007 figure of 205,119. The economic bust of 2008 certainly explains this best. But a story at NaturalNews.com originally cited this data and suggested that 2007 is when plastic surgery really hit a stride among teenaged patients, even children.

Of course, some of these cosmetic procedures are medical in origin, such as when a child needs a reconstructive operation to correct an injury or birth defect. But many of them are purely cosmetic,. The most possible – and most likely – culprit is the influence of celebrity media coverage and reality shows.

“One of the challenges is that there is not a lot of evidence that it improves psychosocial well-being,” Alice Dreger of Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University said to NaturalNews.com. “The goal is admirable, right? Better lives. The question is: Does it work and is it necessary?”

Of course, patients who are younger than 18 can’t undergo plastic surgery without parental consent, but today many parents are saying yes. “Boomer parents may themselves even be undergoing cosmetic surgery and may feel for our children that it’s not such a stretch,” said Donn Chatham, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery president.

Figures for the year 2009 aren’t finalized. But based on statistics, the trend of plastic surgery among minors shows no sign of fading.

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A group of doctors has launched a national program that provides low-cost plastic surgery to injured war veterans.

The new Faces of Honor project is designed to give free consultation and discounted procedures to soldiers who sustained facial trauma in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Thousands of soldiers have suffered facial wounds from gunfire, explosions or vehicle accidents. And, some soldiers who use some government hospitals haven’t had access to plastic surgeons – but now they do.

The program was suggested in fall 2008, and more than 180 surgeons so far have volunteered to participate. Costs of these surgeries will either be paid for by veteran’s insurance or by donations raised by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

A new study indicates that computer imaging can be a useful tool to help surgeons and rhinoplasty patients decide how the patient’s new nose should look. The report, published in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, indicates that computer imaging software helps doctors offer their patients the “ideal” nose.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin studied 20 women who were undergoing rhinoplasty. They examined each patient’s facial proportions before and after surgery. The researchers found that most of the desired parameters were close to the ideal.

But, this ideal isn’t based on celebrity examples – instead, it is based instead on “Proportions of the Aesthetic Face.” This is the 1984 standard established by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

The report, published in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, indicates that computer imaging software helps doctors offer their patients the “ideal” nose.

The researchers later concluded that doctors are using computer imaging software to store information about common patient preferences. And, they can also use it to help future patients make choices that work just as well.

Plus, how did a top model get herself booted from a breast cancer campaign? We’ve got the details in the latest edition of Plastic Surgery News. Click the player below to watch now!

The following organizations are mentioned in this episode:

• Penn State Hershey Medical Center
• Food and Drug Administration
• Allergan
• Faces of Honor
• American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• ASDA
• Tickled Pink

New statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show that Asian-American men represent the fastest growing ethnic group to favor plastic surgery – for success in both career and love.

The society reported that 866,000 Asian-Americans opted for cosmetic surgery in 2008. This number is nearly triple what was reported in 2000. The statistic also puts this ethnic group ahead of both Hispanics and African-Americans, two other groups steadily increasing their surgery counts.

Within this growing Asian trend, middle-aged men are currently seeking the most change. Requests include Botox injections, liposuction, hair restoration and skin lifts that add youth to the face and neck while tightening areas under their eyes.  These older men, who are often well-established financially, tend to find such operations easy to finance.

Doctors note that these youthful changes can be real confidence boosters – and that men often get them to be more competitive in the job market and more appealing to romantic prospects.

In fact, a study last year by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery revealed that 75 percent of plastic surgeons say more people are paying for surgery simply to be more competitive in their career.

All of those stories and more are featured in this week’s newscast. Click the screen below to catch Plastic Surgery News now!

Organizations mentioned in this episode:

• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
• American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Geoffrey Keyes, MD, FACS
• Centers for Disease Control
• American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• Louis P. Bucky, MD, FACS
• Philip Young, MD
• Anika Therapeutics
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• Equmen
• Lane Smith, MD, FAACS
• Bahman Guyuron, MD

A radical new contest is underway in New England that will treat the winner to free hair plugs and Botox injections.

To qualify to win, however, this person will have to be both unemployed and very unhappy with what he or she sees in the mirror.

Leonard Hair Transplant Associates is sponsoring this contest for jobless residents in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. It’s based on the premise that succeeding in the job market comes from being confident – and that confidence can be increased through a more attractive appearance.

Unemployed residents have been invited to submit photos and personal statements through a website. They’re being asked to persuasively explain why they need and deserve the cosmetic procedures more than anyone else. The competition will select 20 finalists. From that point, the public will be invited to choose one winner and a runner-up, American Idol-style.

Leonard Hair Transplant Associates has seen an increase in patients seeking hair restoration for job reasons, and hit upon the contest as a way to celebrate 20 years in business. Some are calling the contest irresponsible and unethical – saying that offering cosmetic surgery as a contest prize disrupts the traditional relationship between doctors and patients.

But statistics can’t be ignored. The national unemployment rate was 9.5 percent as of June. And a recent survey by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery confirmed that three out of four surgeons had helped patients who sought an operation mainly because they wanted to stay competitive in the job market.