Beauty is one of the greatest desires of our time, and also the most common form of anxiety.
This anxiety stems partly from external pressures and partly from our own inner voices. As the most effective way to combat appearance-related concerns, it's no surprise that medical aesthetics has rapidly become a universal lifestyle choice in recent years.
Yet modern anxieties extend far beyond this. While choosing cosmetic procedures can address appearance anxiety, concerns about outcomes and safety during the process give rise to new uncertainties.In this context, how can we truly resolve the secondary anxieties stemming from appearance and beauty?
To address this question, we visited Dr. Wang Honggen, founder of Yueyan Medical in Shenzhen. His dual identity as a plastic surgeon and medical aesthetics entrepreneur undoubtedly offers unique insights.
(Dr. Wang Honggen, Founder of Yuegan Medical)
Starting from the Heart, Fulfilling Beauty's Potential
In an era when plastic surgery was not yet mainstream and most people didn't even know what fat grafting was, transitioning from a promising specialist physician to an obscure plastic surgeon required more than courage and foresight—it demanded a profound respect for the inner voice.
As early as 2006, after graduating with a degree in Clinical Medicine from Shandong University, Dr. Wang Honggen began working in cosmetic plastic surgery. When first recommended for a plastic surgery position, he declined.
"My original motivation for studying medicine was to help more people. At that time, I was unfamiliar with medical aesthetics and felt that plastic surgery couldn't cure diseases, so I didn't agree.It wasn't until I gained deeper exposure to medical aesthetics that I realized plastic surgery is fundamentally a form of healing for both appearance and the soul. It not only bestows beauty but also rebuilds confidence, helping countless individuals. That's when I decided to enter this field."
Medical Ethics: The Physician's Responsibility
Since the dawn of written records, the title "physician" has been one of profound reverence.Physicians embody compassion, alleviating suffering with benevolence. Each practitioner possesses admirable qualities—professionalism, dedication, innate talent...
Among these virtues, what matters most for a plastic surgeon? Technical skill, or something else? To this, Director Wang Honggen offered an answer both unexpected and yet inevitable.
(Wang Honggen, Founder of Yuegan Medical (right), and Li Qingfeng, Director of Plastic Surgery and Vice President of Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital (left))
"Medical skill is the foundation, but medical ethics come first. This applies not only to plastic surgeons but to all physicians—medical ethics must always be prioritized.For instance, some procedures yield negligible results—whether performed or not, the difference is minimal. Or when a patient insists on a very high nose, yet her facial features are unsuited for it, and aging will significantly compromise aesthetics. In such cases, performing the surgery solely for profit is unacceptable. Plastic surgery must focus on effective procedures; destructive surgeries should never be performed."
Authenticity and Integrity, Safety and Peace of Mind
The documentary "Physicians" captures a physician's declaration: "A mission must be fulfilled ahead." In the view of Director Wang Honggen, the mission of a plastic surgeon is to ensure every patient achieves beauty with peace of mind.
His decision to leave a stable career, step out of his comfort zone, and establish Yuanyan Medical was driven by this very mission. "Everyone harbors a dream. Regardless of the field, people aspire to build their own platform to realize their inner vision. I longed to open my own hospital early on—a place free from profit-driven management constraints, where I could pursue what's right with true freedom and take genuine responsibility for every patient seeking beauty."
He understands that modern people, especially women, face immense pressure regarding appearance. While cosmetic procedures are increasingly accepted, many consumers still harbor doubts about their safety and effectiveness.
To transform this distrust, the root lies within the medical aesthetics industry itself. Both institutions and practitioners must pursue both "truth" and "integrity." Truth demands strengthened standardized management, strict selection of legitimate products and qualified doctors, and the pursuit of authentic aesthetic outcomes. Integrity requires upholding a positive mindset, prioritizing safety above all, and ensuring optimal results.Only through this approach can the industry develop positively and sustainably. Conversely, the industry's prosperity will also provide all qualified doctors and institutions with broader opportunities to realize their self-worth and ideals—helping others while also benefiting themselves.
At the conclusion of the interview, Director Wang Honggen emphasized that for beauty seekers, plastic surgery is a medical means to achieve aesthetic goals through external reshaping. However, safety is the only means—any procedure lacking safety guarantees is akin to "gambling."
"Regardless of the cost, patients must see tangible, verifiable results." Moving forward, he remains committed to advancing safe medical practices and professional aesthetic medicine, returning to the core principles of healthcare. Guided by the values of safety, innovation, and efficacy, he will continue to forge ahead. This dedication aims to better assist patients in their transformations while bolstering the industry's formalization, instilling robust confidence and conviction in both practitioners and those seeking beauty enhancement.