The annual summer vacation is approaching. In recent years, summer break has become peak season for cosmetic procedures, with many students opting for various surgeries at major clinics to present a new look for the upcoming semester. However, numerous young beauty seekers have fallen into cosmetic traps, and various industry scandals have repeatedly surfaced.So how can beauty seekers safely enhance their appearance during the holidays? Let's hear what plastic surgery experts have to say.
The Trend Toward Younger Patients and the Resurgence of Micro-Surgery Scandals As society places increasing emphasis on physical appearance, China's plastic surgery market has experienced rapid growth in recent years, with many domestic procedures now reaching internationally advanced standards. Simultaneously, two other trends demand attention: the trend toward younger patients and the chaotic state of the micro-surgery market.
Data reveals that among the 22 million individuals who underwent cosmetic surgery in China in 2018, 54% were under 28 years old, with adolescents accounting for 8% of the total.
Young adults and minors, whose worldviews are still developing, are susceptible to social media trends and peer pressure to undergo cosmetic procedures. Their limited judgment often leads them to trust advertisements or referrals from acquaintances in the chaotic cosmetic surgery market, trapping them in illegal procedures.
In recent years, safety incidents involving minimally invasive cosmetic procedures have surged, with unlicensed clinics becoming hotspots for medical accidents. Recently, media undercover investigations exposed another illegal "micro-cosmetic studio" in Wuhan. The owner, lacking any medical credentials, traveled to perform various cosmetic surgeries for clients while also running crash courses to train "micro-cosmetic doctors."
The owner claimed that with no prior training, one could be "job-ready" after just three to five days of instruction. Once started, the money comes fast, and earning millions annually is no problem.
Behind the high incomes of these unlicensed practitioners lie the blood and tears of those who fell into the trap. News of disfigurement, blindness, and even death caused by illegal cosmetic procedures occurs frequently, jolting people's nerves that may have begun to grow numb.Why are micro-cosmetic procedures so prone to complications? Injectable treatments are far from simple "needle work." Micro-cosmetic procedures contrast with traditional surgical facelifts. While they require no incisions and offer quick recovery—earning the nickname "lunchtime beauty"—this does not mean they are simple enough for anyone to perform.
Yet in the news, many view these procedures as mere "child's play." Injectables like hyaluronic acid and botulinum toxin are administered not by trained physicians, but by technicians with crash-course training. Friends injecting each other with hyaluronic acid or self-administering botulinum toxin purchased online—it's no surprise such practices lead to disfigurement, poisoning, and blindness.
According to Professor Jiang Ping, Chief Physician of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery at Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, both Botox and hyaluronic acid injections are medically regulated procedures mandated by national regulations to be performed exclusively by licensed physicians. They are far from the simple, lightweight procedures many assume them to be.
"The notion that cosmetic injections can be done by just anyone is extremely dangerous.First, botulinum toxin is highly toxic. Improper dosage control or injection site selection can easily lead to safety issues, causing poisoning in patients. As for hyaluronic acid, injections often target the 'golden triangle' area between the eyes and nose bridge—a region densely packed with blood vessels. Without specialized anatomical knowledge and solid technical skills, it's easy to accidentally inject directly into a blood vessel, leading to severe consequences like localized necrosis or blindness."
Furthermore, medical-grade hyaluronic acid and botulinum toxin are strictly regulated by the state, permitted only for sale in licensed medical institutions. The syringes used by unlicensed cosmetic studios are often of unknown origin, adding another layer of safety risk.
How to Safely Undergo Cosmetic Procedures During Summer Break? Two Key Points to Remember
Taking advantage of summer vacation for cosmetic procedures—ranging from minor injections to major facelifts—has become a trend among students. While everyone desires beauty enhancement, not everyone achieves their desired results.
For students considering cosmetic procedures during summer break, Professor Jiang Ping offers two pieces of advice:
"As young people, you should approach cosmetic procedures rationally.Cosmetic procedures enhance existing features rather than completely altering one's appearance. Blindly pursuing a 'celebrity look' is both irrational and unrealistic. Ignoring one's natural attributes and demanding a star's image through surgery often yields disappointing results. Secondly, cosmetic procedures carry risks and require significant investment. Seekers of beauty must avoid choosing unlicensed clinics for convenience or cost savings—this approach risks losing more than it gains."
Finally, Professor Jiang Ping emphasizes that regardless of age or procedure, patients must thoroughly research qualified institutions and experienced surgeons before proceeding. A comprehensive surgical plan should be finalized only after in-depth consultation and discussion with the doctor. Patients must fully understand potential risks beforehand, avoiding impulsive decisions or blindly following trends.