Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center Takes A Look At News From China

One of the big stories in cosmetic surgery internationally this past summer was about China. Saddened by this news, I decided to share this with you. I feel privileged to be able to treat my patients as a double board certified Cosmetic Surgeon in a AAAHC accredited operating room.  The situation in China is much different.

China has become the third largest consumer of cosmetic surgery in the world, after the US and Brazil. Young people, students in particular flood to cosmetic surgeons’ offices each summer break hoping to get a leg up on their future careers. One hospital reported that  70% of the cosmetic surgery patients they saw were high school and college students. Some young women outright admit they are looking for a more “western” look including rounder eyes and a higher nose bridge. For some surgery is an investment in their future careers in places like Europe. Chinese women just might be the most ambitious in the world. One study found that almost 25% more Chinese women aim for high level top jobs than American women. However, even in lower echelon jobs, looks make a big difference in China.

There is a sadder side to this as well. The Chinese government labels unmarried women over 27 as “left over women.” These women are desperate to look younger. Also migrants flocking to the big cities are hoping for a chance to compete on the job market. These women, and men too have very little money and risk their lives in makeshift “private clinics.” Some private clinics are more upscale, yet the providers may not even be licensed surgeons and no medical records are kept. Even bone breaking “leg-stretching” surgery to make patients taller is performed frequently even though the Chinese government has banned this procedure for cosmetic purposes. In China this surgical procedure has left a wake of women crippled from complications. Needless to say, there has been very little regulation of cosmetic surgery in China and the government is hoping to change this.

Some Chinese sociologists believe that the transition from socialism to capitalism, along with the influx of western media, has led to a transformation of standards of beauty in Chinese culture that are as dramatic as the results of the surgical procedures being performed. Journeyman Pictures presented a video called “Tortured Beauties” describing this situation in China. The video shows events such as “marriage markets” for rich men and employment “interviews” that look like beauty pageants. This is an eye opening video to watch. We don’t often get such a revealing glimpse into how other cultures perceive cosmetic surgery. So, that’s the news. Be glad you are in the United States!

Dr. Branman

Thanks to oskay for the photo of cosmetic surgery tools.