I Don't Like My Nose

                                              

Figure 1. This is Emma.

Figure 2. Emma is
looking in the
mirror.

This is my friend Emma (Figure 1)! Emma is looking at herself in the mirror and thinking, "I don't really like my nose. I like everything else about myself, but I don't really like my nose" (Figure 2).

I think we can all relate to Emma. Is there something you don't like about yourself?

 Emma is wondering, "Can I change my nose? Is it okay to change my nose?"

Emma is perfect just the way she is. Just like you! You don't have to change, but you might want to change. When you are older, perhaps around age 18, there is something you can do to change the way you look.

Emma asks, "How do I do that?"

Figure 3. A woman puts on cosmetics.

Many people consult a person called a plastic surgeon. A plastic surgeon is a special type of doctor that shapes people's body parts the way they want them to look. This process is called cosmetic surgery (1). Emma and you might know what cosmetics are. Cosmetics are makeup. Lipstick, eye shadow, and
mascara are cosmetics. People put them on their faces and they look nice. Your mom might put makeup on in the morning like the woman in the picture (Figure 3). Just like makeup, cosmetic surgery is something people do to look different than they normally do.

Cosmetic surgery is something that lots of people choose to do. It's becoming more and more popular (5). Both girls and boys can get cosmetic surgery (4)!

Figure 4. This woman had Botox put into her face

Sometimes older people have cosmetic surgery to look younger. Emma remembers that her grandma had what is called "Botox" put into their face. Botox helps an older person's face look younger like the woman in the picture (Figure 4). Botox is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries people choose to have (6).

Figure 5. Victoria is puffing up!

Sometimes people get cosmetic surgery to be smaller!

Emma says "Like Victoria Beauregarde in Willy Wonka!"

See how Victoria is all puffed up (Figure 5). Victoria could go to a cosmetic surgeon and they could make her small again.

Look! She is all better (Figure 6)! The cosmetic surgeon used a process called "liposuction". They took the extra stuff in the girl out with a special tool like a vacuum (3).

Figure 6. Victoria is back to normal.

People may also choose to change a part of their face. Emma says, "I might do that when I'm older!" Sure, you can do that when you're older. There are a couple things you need to remember though.

There are things anyone who gets cosmetic surgery must think about before taking the next step.
First, remember that this process is permanent. It isn't like makeup that you can wash off.

Then you have to ask yourself why you want to get the surgery. Remember that how you look doesn't make you who you are. Make sure that you talk to a doctor about how you see yourself before you make any decisions about cosmetic surgery. A doctor will make sure you have the right ideas before you make a big decision like that!

So, Emma, do you still want to change your nose?

"I might! But surgery kind of sounds scary!"

Figure 7. The cosmetic surgeon talks to the patient
about the surgery to help her feel more
comfortable. 

It is scary, even for adults. That's why before anyone gets cosmetic surgery they go visit the cosmetic surgeon (Figure 7). They talk about the steps of the surgery and visit where it is going to happen. By visiting the surgeon and the place they will get the surgery, they feel more comfortable (2). This may also help someone who is undecided and maybe a little scared like you, Emma!

That decision is still a long time away for you, Emma, but does it all make sense?

"Sure it does! Maybe one day I'll change my nose, maybe not!"

Is there something you want to change like Emma? That's something to think about when you're older. It's important to talk to your parents about feelings you have about the way you look. Sometimes not liking the way we look might mean that we are sad about other things. Talk to your parents about the way you feel and remember that it doesn't matter how you look, it's about what's on the inside!



References

(1) American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. (2017). Cosmetic surgery vs. plastic surgery. Retrieved from American

Board of Cosmetic Surgery website: http://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/ patient-resources/cosmetic-surgery
vs-plastic-surgery/
(2) American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (2017). Introduction. Retrieved from https://www.plasticsurgery.org/patient
safety
(3) American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (2017). Liposuction. Retrieved from American Society of Plastic Surgeons
 https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/liposuction/procedure

(4) Diller, V. (2014, December 29). The normalization of cosmetic surgery. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from
http://huffingtonpost.com/
(5) Stein, J. (2015, June 18). Nip. Tuck. Or else. Time Magazine. Retrieved from http://time.com/
(6) Walden, J. (2017). Top 5 most popular plastic surgery treatments. Shape. Retrieved from http://shape.com/