In recent years, minimally invasive cosmetic procedures—praised for their low trauma, quick results, and fast recovery—have gained immense popularity among beauty enthusiasts, becoming a mainstream trend in medical aesthetics.However, minimally invasive procedures do not equate to minimal risks. Medical incidents related to these treatments have occurred frequently in recent years, showing an upward trend. This is largely attributable to unlicensed practitioners operating illegally—individuals with no medical background, including former sex workers, who transform themselves into "doctors" performing these procedures.
Under Chinese regulations, any cosmetic procedure involving skin penetration falls under the medical domain. Only licensed physicians may perform such procedures, and only hospitals with medical aesthetics credentials are authorized to conduct them.
Yet the allure of substantial market profits and seemingly low barriers to entry has drawn individuals with zero medical aesthetics knowledge—including those with no prior training—to become "cosmetic doctors" after completing mere days of crash courses.
These individuals, lacking even basic medical knowledge, come from diverse backgrounds—including tattoo artists, barbershop assistants, and notably, sex workers who "transition" into training amid crackdowns on the adult entertainment industry.
One expert encountered this case: a former sex worker who underwent cosmetic surgery herself. After receiving minimal training at a medical university, she switched careers to establish a micro-cosmetic surgery studio, transforming herself into a "doctor" of micro-cosmetic procedures. On WeChat Moments, she falsely claimed her training was "returning to her alma mater," though she had never attended university or studied medicine.
A qualified plastic surgeon requires five years of specialized study, two years of clinical training, and at least three years of experience. Yet these so-called "doctors" dare to perform micro-aesthetic procedures after mere days of crash courses—the risks are self-evident.