Cosmetic surgery has become more popular among the general population in the past decade. In addition, it has become extremely popular among the younger generation, including those in their teens and early 20s. Many plastic surgeons are concerned when teenagers want to undergo surgical procedures to permanently alter their appearance. For one thing, the body is typically not finished growing and maturing until a person reaches his or her 20s. This means that the size of the breasts, buttocks, and other areas of the body could continue to grow even after an individual has undergone the knife. Another problem plastic surgeons have with patients undergoing cosmetic surgery in their teens is the fact that, at a later date, they may regret having treatment. A person's views and opinions generally change as we grow out of our teens and into young adulthood. Because teenagers are so young, they may not be mature enough to make such a serious decision.

There have been several younger celebrities that appear to have had plastic surgery while they were in their teens. Britney Spears is rumored to have her breasts augmented by one or two cup sizes when she was just 17 years of age. Christina Aguilera was rumored to have undergone breast augmentation surgery when she was just 18 years old. Laguna Beach star Kristin Cavallari looked like she had already had breast implants placed while she was still in high school. American Idol alum Kellie Pickler appears to have undergone several cosmetic surgery procedures while she was in her early 20s, including breast augmentation, liposuction, Botox injections, brow lift, and lip augmentation. Heidi Montag underwent her first plastic surgery makeover, which included breast augmentation and rhinoplasty surgery, when she was just 21 years old. Singer and actress Ashlee Simpson famously underwent a nose job when she was in her early 20s. Because these celebrities are role models for many teenagers, there is some concern that they are bad influences on the younger generation.