What was once a surgical procedure primarily intended to restore, is now used to enhance a person's face and body. Cosmetic surgery, said to have been “used more than 4,000 years ago to treat facial injuries” (Fresh Faces), is now considered a common activity for all types of people. This operation first gained popularity in the 1910s, after World War I, among soldiers whose faces were broken and in need of repair. Later it became a popular trend among women, who were mostly from upper class society, then in the 1990s the industry expanded to include men and more recently it has also included adolescents from the age of 15. (Friedman, Fresh Faces) The fact that teenagers have begun to undergo these surgical procedures has sparked concerns and questions among many more people about the effects that the availability of these procedures is having on today's youth. The truth is that this is a booming industry, and it was only expected that the teenage population would soon be a part of it. In 2000 alone, 306,384 cosmetic procedures were performed on people aged 18 and under, of which 65,231 required surgery. (ASPS) Then, in 2004, “there were 240,682 [cosmetic] procedures…representing 2.0% of the total” cosmetic procedures performed (ASPS Press). The inspiration for teenagers to undergo these surgeries is seen as the media they came to rely on for advice and ideas. They have come to aspire not only to act like the people in the spotlight, but to be like them. And with shows like Extreme Makeover or The Swan, and celebrities like Heidi Montag and Carmen Electra, children are made to believe that cosmetic surgery is always simple and rewarding. Unfortunately, the media seems...... middle of paper ...... Surgery | The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. "The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery: The Mark of Distinction in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery® | The American Society for Aesthetic PlasticSurgery Web. April 2, 2010. Bennett, Jessica and Aku Ammah-Tagoe. “Tales of a Modern Diva.” Newsweek 153.14 (2009): 42-43 Web. 2010. “Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Guide – Risks and Complications.” Cosmetic Surgery Information, April 4, 2010. Friedman, J. (April 15, 2005, CQ Researcher). -344.CQ Researcher Online. March 29, 2010. “Fresh Faces.” April 5.. 2010.