Around the fourth grade is when the majority of my peers were getting their braces. I remember everyone coming in to school with their mouths full of metal and different colored rubber bands, and to be honest, I couldn’t wait.

I associated braces with being a teenager, and more than anything I wanted to be apart of the club. I wanted to be one of those people who went and got the rubber bands on their braces changed to orange and black for Halloween, or purple, my favorite color, during the non-holiday months.

As it turns out, my parents blessed me with incredible genetics, and I never needed braces. My teeth are as straight as can be naturally. Now of course, I’m thankful, but at the time, I was devastated. I would never be as teenager-ish as my classmates and I hate being left out of anything.

But come on; let’s get real here. On a scale of one to ten, how dumb was that? I was the most pathetic child. Braces suck, and I feel bad for anyone who had to have them. Which is why I just do not get this next trend in Asia.

Apparently, for reasons unbeknownst to myself, fake braces are all the rage in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. Teenagers in these countries actually drop $100 on purchasing fake braces off the black market, in attempt to get their hands on the newest status symbol.

It seems as if these teenagers are just as deluded as I was in my elementary school years, and authorities are starting to take notice. Since these fake braces are not being purchased via reputable seller, there’s a high chance that wires come loose and cut your mouth open.

Recently, two Thai teens have died. That’s right, died, due to these fake braces. Beauty is pain? As a result, Thai authorities are issuing a $1300 fine to anyone caught selling fake braces, but even this risk has not slowed down demand.

What’s the cause of this trend? Who in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia determined that having braces on made you more beautiful or popular than others? What do you think of this trend?

Ally | Elite.