In recent years, minimally invasive procedures like Botox and hyaluronic acid injections have surged in popularity. Many beauty-conscious residents of Zhenjiang seek these injections for facial slimming and wrinkle reduction. However, experts caution that some individuals who experience complications from salon injections later seek hospital intervention. Since injectable treatments fall under medical aesthetics, many salons lack the necessary medical credentials. Consumers should always opt for accredited hospitals and use nationally certified products.
Xu Bin, Associate Chief Physician at the Plastic Surgery Department of Zhenjiang First People's Hospital, explains that Botox works through chemical reactions to achieve facial slimming and wrinkle reduction. Due to its potent toxicity, however, it is subject to stringent national regulations. Approved products have fixed dosage specifications, with only Lanzhou Hengli's "Botulinum Toxin Type A for Injection" currently authorized by relevant authorities.
Hyaluronic acid, also known as hyaluronan, is a moisturizing agent used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical applications depending on its grade. Some countries do utilize hyaluronic acid as a cosmetic filler.When injected as a filler into areas like the lips, cheeks, nose bridge, chin, or scars, hyaluronic acid physically plumps the tissue to reduce wrinkles and alter facial contours. This method delivers rapid results, though maintenance injections are required every six months to sustain the effect.
Xu Bin noted that in their daily practice, they've observed a wide variety of hyaluronic acid products used in numerous beauty salons, originating from diverse sources. Genuine hyaluronic acid carries a minimum wholesale price of over 2,000 yuan per vial, making it a luxury item in the beauty market. Yet, some salons advertise prices below this legitimate wholesale cost.
"Many salons inject clients with substances entirely different from what they claim. At best, it's saline solution—ineffective but at least not severely harmful. Some patients seeking our help were injected with Omegadine or bone powder," Xu Bin told reporters with evident anger.Last year alone, he removed fillers from eight patients—four in the chest area and four in the face. "Some patients had fillers leaking in their faces, causing deformities. That's not beauty enhancement; it's disfigurement. Removal surgery is far more difficult than injection. It's highly invasive and rarely achieves complete removal. We can only extract leaked material or obvious hardened lumps, causing significant physical and psychological trauma to patients."Xu Bin explained that after injecting hyaluronic acid, lumps should gradually be absorbed over time. However, some patients experienced filler displacement and bulging. Beyond improper dosage control, the primary cause was counterfeit products. Samples from elsewhere were once sent to Swedish manufacturers for testing, revealing the substances most commonly found were ophthalmic sodium hyaluronate, Omedin, and silicone oil.
As early as May 1, 2002, the Ministry of Health's "Administrative Measures for Medical Aesthetic Services" came into effect, strictly defining medical aesthetics as: "The repair and reshaping of human appearance and body contours using surgical procedures, medications, medical devices, or other invasive medical techniques." Such procedures must be performed exclusively in licensed medical aesthetic institutions or facilities with dedicated medical aesthetic departments.This means that injectable cosmetic treatments fall under medical aesthetic procedures. Lifestyle beauty salons are fundamentally unqualified to perform invasive procedures like injections. Xu Bin advises the public to exercise extreme caution when considering injectable cosmetic treatments. They should choose formal hospitals with medical aesthetic qualifications, paying particular attention to whether the attending physician holds a valid medical aesthetic practitioner license, whether the products used are officially approved by the state, and whether they have anti-counterfeiting codes.