Hong Kong consumers show scant knowledge of beauty treatment machines

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Dr Chung Kim-wah (left) and Sarah Wong highlight the differences between real and fake beauty machines. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Published: 4:00pm, 19 Aug 2015Updated: 6:49pm, 19 Aug 2015

Consumers appear to have weak knowledge about whether machines used in beauty treatment are real or fake, according to a Polytechnic University survey. The poll found that just 15.6 per cent of interviewees asked for information about the machines.

Researchers called on the government to speed up the regulation of these machines, which became a focus of controversy after a woman died and three others became seriously ill after receiving beauty treatment in October 2012.

The survey, which was conducted last month through face-to-face and telephone interviews, showed that the quality of machines ranked fourth for consumers in selecting beauty treatment. Around 96 per cent of the 322 respondents, who have used machines for face beauty treatment in the past three years, listed the skill and experience of the operators as the most important factor. Word-of-mouth reputation of beauty salons or hospitals came second.

While 77 per cent of interviewees said they preferred genuine machines, almost half never or seldom understood the origins of the machines that were being used.

The government should introduce regulation as soon as possible

Sarah Wong from Merz

Dr Chung Kim-wah from Polytechnic University, who was in charge of the survey, said consumers may be obtaining information from beauticians who might not be professionally trained.