Is the first impression really the last impression? Yes, especially for the young lot joining colleges. So concerned are they about their looks that they are going in for liposuction and rhinoplasty to get that perfect look.

College aspirants queue up for cosmetic surgery

Youngsters in the 18-22 age group are flocking to parlours and clinics and are ready to splurge money to get that perfect look. Their number is increasing every year.

"Four-five years back, I had 80-90 beauty treatment cases, but now it has increased to 120 cases a year. All before the college season starts," Ajaya Kashyap, cosmetic surgeon at Apollo Hospital, said.

"Youngsters these days don't mind going under the knife if it gives them the desired look. This trend catches up before the new session in college begins. The most popular surgeries among females are liposuction, laser surgeries and rhinoplasty," he added.

Some of these youngsters are influenced by Hollywood and Bollywood stars. But Samir Parikh, consultant psychiatrist at Max Healthcare in New Delhi, says peer pressure drives these youngsters to knock at the doors of cosmetic surgeons.

"A lot of students these days are not satisfied with their looks because they think their friends look better. They want themselves to be well appreciated in college, as far as looks are concerned," said Parikh.

For instance, Vartika Seth, 19, is all set to begin her college life in July and before that, she is planning to go for scar-removal therapy.

"The only reason why I am going for this treatment right now is because there are long holidays ahead. The marks which come on the face after surgery can easily heal during this time," she said.

As far as the charges go, liposuction costs anything between Rs 60,000 and Rs 100,000, whereas breast reduction easily costs around Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000.

Experts feel one should not opt for surgeries so early in life.

"At this age getting the cosmetic surgeries done may not be a very healthy option. But if at all they are getting it done, they should make sure they are going to an experienced surgeon who doesn't leave any after-effects or spoil their skin," said cosmetic surgeon Meenakshi Aggarwal.

Aggarwal also emphasised that it is not just girls who are looking for a makeover; boys too have become conscious.

"They too want to look good in a t-shirt and a heavy chest makes them look awkward and ruins their confidence. So I get a lot of queries from young boys for breast reduction."

Apollo's Kashyap also gave some tips for the cosmetic surgery.

"Before going for the liposuction, one must quit smoking. If one is going for rhinoplasty, one shouldn't have breathing problems. After a sitting of laser surgery, they shouldn't expose themselves to sunlight. These are some of the precautions one can take for healthy surgeries," he said.

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