The China cosmetic surgery boom began for Abby Wu when she was just 14. After gaining weight due to hormone treatments for an illness, her mother took her to get liposuction. Nervous and unsure, she recalls her mother saying, “Be brave and go in—you’ll come out beautiful.” That day marked the start of a journey Abby never looked back from.
Now 35, Abby has undergone more than 100 procedures and spent over half a million dollars in pursuit of perfection. Though she admits her first surgery was traumatic, Abby says she has no regrets. “I don’t think I’ll ever stop trying to become more beautiful,” she shared in an interview with the BBC.
China Cosmetic Surgery Boom: A Cultural Shift
The China cosmetic surgery boom has reshaped modern beauty ideals, especially among younger generations. Once considered taboo, cosmetic procedures are now embraced by millions, with at least 20 million people undergoing surgery each year—80% of them are women, most in their mid-20s.
Driven by Western beauty ideals, anime aesthetics, and the global influence of K-pop, the types of surgeries are becoming more extreme. Botox behind the ears to slim the face, lower eyelid surgeries for cartoonish eyes, and upper lip shortening are just a few rising trends. These enhancements are often filtered through apps and lighting—offering digital perfection that doesn’t always match real-life results.
China Cosmetic Surgery Boom: Risk Behind the Glamour
While some, like Abby, thrive in their influencer careers, many others fall victim to the darker side of this booming industry. The rush to profit from rising demand has led to the opening of countless unregulated clinics. With a lack of trained professionals, many patients suffer botched procedures, and in some tragic cases, lifelong disfigurement.
One of the most publicized cases was that of actress Gao Liu, who lost the tip of her nose after surgery performed by an unlicensed doctor. “My acting career was destroyed,” she said. The clinic was shut down temporarily, but similar establishments continue to surface.
Many of these clinics even operate out of private homes, according to Dr. Yang Lu, a certified surgeon. He sees a growing number of patients seeking correction after dangerous first surgeries from unauthorized practitioners.
This toxic beauty culture extends beyond personal choices—it’s infiltrating the job market too. Employers now often seek candidates with “attractive” appearances, especially for front-facing roles. Some women, desperate to meet these expectations, are coerced into cosmetic procedures under false job promises.
One such victim, Da Lan (a pseudonym), was tricked into a double eyelid surgery under the guise of a beauty consultant role. She took out a “beauty loan” to pay for the surgery, only to quit after ten days and receive a meager 303 yuan ($42) in pay.
As the China cosmetic surgery boom continues to surge, it raises deeper questions about self-worth, exploitation, and what society now defines as beauty.
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Source: www.inquisitr.com
