Colombia prohibits surgical aesthetic procedures for under-18 children

President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia has sanctioned a new bill which prohibits surgical aesthetic procedures for all under-18 children. The procedure will not be carried out even when parents have no objection. The aesthetic procedures are used to achieve greater facial and body features. In Colombia, a huge number of under-18 girls undergo aesthetic procedures. According to the President, these procedures can lead to irreversible results, which alter decisions of life and the full exercise of maternity or health conditions that may require more surgical procedures. The procedures have risks that young people cannot foresee at young age and it cannot be justified under the responsible exercise of parental authority. However, the ban does not apply to surgery nose, eyes & ears, bad reconstructive surgeries performed by doctors, mechanics & superficial chemical peels and laser hair removal. Nor does it apply to surgeries caused by physical or psychological pathologies duly accredited by the respective health professionals.