Cosmetic surgery and teens:

Some points to remember.

The most common procedure carried out on under-18s in Ireland is otoplasty, or ear pinning. It's straightforward but does involve a general anaesthetic.

Reputable surgeons in Ireland are unlikely to agree to breast enhancement surgery for teens except in unusual circumstances, such as associated depression.

Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) is not recommended before age 18 in girls and age 19 in boys.

Some Irish cosmetic surgery practitioners refuse to carry out any procedures on under-18s.

If you decide to take your child for a consultation, research carefully first. Make sure that the surgeon you are dealing with is on the Medical Council's Specialist Register and has held a post in reconstructive surgery in a public hospital. If your first consultation is more like a sales pitch than a medical consultation, look elsewhere.