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SCMP Reporter

Only 1 per cent of Hongkongers have undergone plastic surgery, the lowest rate compared with 10 countries, a global survey on appearance has found.

In Australia, which topped the list, 9 per cent of the working population and 10 per cent of retirees had resorted to plastic surgery.

The study revealed deep suspicion in Hong Kong towards the procedure, with 91 per cent of working people saying they would not consider going under the knife to 'look younger' or to 'change something they do not like within themselves'.

Retired people were even more reluctant, with 94 per cent saying they would not be tempted to have surgery to make them look younger.

In comparison, 34 per cent of Japanese workers said they would resort to plastic surgery to change their appearance.

The survey, conducted between July and September by an insurance company, interviewed 11,590 people in 11 developed countries and regions. More than 600 responded in Hong Kong.

Plastic surgeon Daniel Lee Tin-chak said Hong Kong people were traditionally conservative on such matters.

'People in Hong Kong would naturally hide their record of cosmetic surgery as it is not commonly accepted. It is the mindset.'

He said the density of the population was another deterrent.

'People think it will be easily apparent if their faces have changed. Pressure from peers poses a great barrier to plastic surgery.'

Nevertheless, the survey suggested that 33 per cent of Hongkongers believed 'they should do everything to prevent ageing effects on their look'.

This might provide hope for businessman Stephen Shiu Jnr, who launched his Be a Lady cosmetic surgery tour to South Korea last December and won a drastic promotional effect after his spokeswoman, former Miss Hong Kong Natalie Ng Man-yan, became the first actress to admit publicly that she had gone under the knife to improve her looks.

But Hong Kong people still felt they had options other than plastic surgery. The survey showed that 22 per cent regularly buy cosmetics that claim to prevent the effects of ageing, while 16 per cent use medicines like Ginseng, DHEA or vitamin supplements.



Only 1pc in Hong Kong have plastic surgery, survey finds