Determined Patient Declares ‘Facing Beauty Standards Head-On’

Abby Wu, a prominent figure in China’s cosmetic surgery scene, has undergone over 100 procedures since her first surgery at the age of 14. Initially motivated by a dramatic weight gain due to hormone treatment, Abby’s journey into the world of plastic surgery has transformed her into a well-known influencer and co-owner of a beauty clinic in Beijing. However, her extensive surgeries have come with significant physical and emotional costs, raising questions about the pressures of beauty standards in modern China.

Abby’s Early Journey into Cosmetic Surgery

Abby Wu’s first experience with cosmetic surgery began when she was just 14 years old. After undergoing hormone treatment for a medical condition, Abby’s weight surged from 42 kg (6 stone 8 lbs) to 62 kg (9 stone 11 lbs) in a matter of months. This sudden change did not go unnoticed by her drama teacher, who pressured her to lose weight quickly. In response, Abby’s mother arranged for her to have liposuction to address her concerns. As Abby recalls, her mother encouraged her to be brave, promising that she would emerge from the procedure looking pretty. The surgery, however, was traumatic; Abby experienced it under partial anesthesia, which left her conscious and aware of the fat being extracted from her body. Despite the painful memories, Abby has no regrets about her decision to pursue surgery, believing it has significantly boosted her confidence and happiness.

The Surge in Cosmetic Surgery in China

In the past two decades, cosmetic surgery has gained immense popularity in China, driven by rising disposable incomes and changing societal attitudes, particularly among young women. Currently, around 20 million people in China undergo cosmetic procedures each year, with women making up 80% of the clientele. The average age of patients seeking surgery is 25, reflecting a cultural shift where beauty standards are increasingly influenced by Western ideals, anime, and K-Pop. While traditional beauty standards emphasized certain features, recent trends have led to more extreme procedures aimed at achieving an unrealistic, hyper-feminine appearance. This includes techniques such as Botox injections behind the ears to create a smaller face and lower eyelid surgery to achieve a wide-eyed, childlike look. As these beauty standards evolve, many individuals find themselves chasing an ideal that may not be attainable in reality.

The Risks of Unregulated Clinics

Despite the booming cosmetic surgery industry, many clinics in China operate without proper licenses, leading to a significant number of botched procedures. A report by iResearch revealed that as of 2019, approximately 80,000 venues were providing cosmetic services illegally, with many practitioners lacking the necessary qualifications. This has resulted in a concerning rise in patients seeking corrective surgeries after experiencing complications from their initial procedures. Dr. Yang Lu, a licensed plastic surgeon in Shanghai, has noted an increase in patients coming to him for repairs after visiting unlicensed clinics. The dangers of unregulated practices are exemplified by the story of Yue Yue, who suffered severe complications from collagen injections at an unlicensed clinic. Her experience highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations and oversight in the cosmetic surgery industry to protect vulnerable individuals from harm.

The Impact of Beauty Standards on Employment

In contemporary China, physical appearance plays a crucial role in professional success, with many employers explicitly stating aesthetic requirements in job listings. This pressure has led to a disturbing trend where some clinics exploit young women by offering jobs contingent upon undergoing cosmetic surgery. Da Lan, a victim of such a scam, was coerced into undergoing double eyelid surgery shortly after being offered a position at a clinic. The rapid sequence of events—from job offer to surgery—left her in significant debt, with the promised job turning out to be a facade. Unfortunately, this type of exploitation is not isolated to the beauty industry; similar practices are emerging in other sectors, where companies pressure young women to take out loans for surgeries in exchange for job opportunities. The prevalence of these scams underscores the urgent need for greater awareness and regulation to protect individuals from predatory practices in the cosmetic surgery landscape.

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