Before and after double eyelid surgery.
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https://scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3146169/common-skincare-china-double-eyelid-surgery-and-filler Fashion & Beauty
‘As common as skincare’: in China, double-eyelid surgery and filler injections grow in popularity among graduates, with summer holidays the peak time for going under the surgeon’s knife
- People in China in their late teens and twenties think nothing of having double-eyelid surgery or filler injections
- The market for such light cosmetic procedures is expected to exceed US$46 billion in 2022
Botox injections, double eyelid surgery and other light cosmetic operations are becoming more popular among young people in China. Photo: Shutterstock
Light cosmetic procedures such as double-eyelid surgery and fillers are becoming more common among young people in China, and the summer holidays, when schools are out, are the peak season for getting them done.
Yang Lu, head nurse at CRT aesthetic medicine hospital in Tianjin, northern China, said the hospital receives dozens of graduates per week at the busiest time, and double-eyelid surgery is the most popular procedure.
“These operations have been popular in China for many years with mature techniques, and offer a significant boost to appearance,” said Yang, adding that there is a two-week waiting list to have the procedures done at her hospital.
Their popularity is an indication of the changing attitudes toward cosmetic surgery in China. A 2020 report by the Chinese Association of Plastics and Aesthetics showed the Chinese plastic surgery market is expected to hit 300 billion yuan (US$46.25 billion) in 2022.
Right after her college entrance exam, 18-year-old Deng Lin underwent a “double eyelid” operation, to create an eyelid crease and make the eyes appear larger.
Like many Chinese high school graduates, Deng wants to start college with a new look and is taking advantage of the flexibility of these so-called “light cosmetic procedures”, which are minimally invasive or non-invasive.
According to Yang, these treatments offer a more convenient, safer and cheaper alternative to traditional surgery, which often involves a longer recovery time.
“Aesthetic procedures have become as common as skincare,” said Wang Yuan, 27, who works in the financial sector in Beijing. “I can have a Botox injection in as little time as it takes to finish a meal, with little discomfort.”
Injections are more convenient than facelifts that can take two to three months to recover from. The cost (around 3,000 yuan per injection) is also lower.
Facelifts are more expensive and take longer to recover from than injections and other minimally invasive procedures. Photo: Shutterstock
A 2020 report by the cosmetic surgery branch of Chinese tech giant Meituan showed young people like Wang constitute the major consumer base for aesthetic medicine, with over 78 per cent of users aged between 20 and 30.
There is a strong demand for anti-ageing procedures among these customers, with 88 per cent more bookings made during a special promotion on June 18, 2020 compared to the previous year.
Despite this, some experts have warned of the risks that accompany these procedures. “Even the smallest surgery causes wounds and wounds bring risks,” said Li Hongwei, a doctor with the Affiliated Hospital of Nankai University in Tianjin. “People need to understand that from a medical point of view any surgery leaves marks on the body.”
The Chinese government called for stricter regulation of the country’s cosmetic surgery industry in April 2020, requiring strict approval and management of qualifications and licences, as well as intensifying random inspections.
“Consumers should always get a clear idea of the risks from the doctors beforehand,” Li said.
Additional reporting by Xinhua