http://www.bjreview.com AUGUST 15, 2019 BEIJING REVIEW 39
Copyedited by Rebeca Toledo
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an average annual consumption of 22,000
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first-tier cities are the main consumers in
the medical beauty sector, accounting for
58.7 percent. Men accounted for 15 percent
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focus.
Along with the trend among the younger
generation, other people’s opinion of plastic
surgery has changed. After a study of per-
sonal characteristics, consumers can choose
the plan that best suits them instead of plans
that make them all look like celebrities.
Growing pains
As a leader in the industry which began in
the 1930s, the U.S. has the most mature
industry in the world with the largest market
size. The numbers of cosmetic surgeons and
cosmetic procedures are the highest as well.
However, between 2004 and 2011, the
U.S. suffered an industry downturn. The de-
velopment of technology reduced market
entry barriers, while, at the same time, the
supervision of the industry did not keep
pace. As a result, a large number of unquali-
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It is quite similar to the current situation
in China, explained Zhao Yan, Chairperson
of the Bloomage Biotechnology Corp.
Ltd. based in Jinan, capital of east China’s
Shandong Province. She pointed out during
a forum that it is difficult to establish trust
among consumers due to the rampant ex-
pansion of the industry.
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garding medical beauty,” Zhang told Beijing
Review. There are too many confusing ads
everywhere, which frighten her. “So my only
choice is to go to a regular general hospital.”
At present, there are still many sham
clinics in the Chinese medical beauty market,
carrying out services in violation of regula-
tions. Surgeons in these institutions do not
receive enough systematic training and don’t
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most medical accidents that have occurred
during plastic surgery were caused by these
people and agencies.
The poor quality of products is also a
reason for medical malpractice. According to
a survey by the China Association of Plastics
and Aesthetics (CAPA), 70 percent of the
hyaluronic acid and botox products sold in
China are either fake or smuggled in without
approval by authorities. These products have
great safety risks.
“Unqualified clinics, agencies and ser-
vices without a license and low entry barriers
put the industry at risk, which also damages
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Other illegal activities have also targeted
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sharks and illegal medical institutions collude
with each other to provide loans promising
zero deposit or collateral down. In fact, these
loans have many hidden terms which even-
tually lead to high interest rates.
Zhao believes that to end the unchecked
growth and forge the healthy development
of the industry, upgrading through good
product development and technology is
vital.
“We must strengthen basic research to
win customers and seize the opportunity to
develop,” she said.Firm determination
The rampant expansion has aroused great
concern from governments at all levels.
From May 2017 to April 2018, the National
Health Commission launched a campaign to
crack down on illegal medical cosmetology,
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trations. Local governments have also taken
action to regulate the development of the
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beauty services are either suspended from
operation or punished to protect consumer
rights and interests.
CAPA President Zhang Bin told People.cn
that as an emerging industry, problems such
as disorderly competition in its early devel-opment are inevitable. During this process,
the government or industry associations
should step in to create a sound industrial
atmosphere.
Industrial insiders call for strengthening
comprehensive supervision of the entire
industrial chain to standardize its manage-
ment. Industrial associations should play a
leading role during this process.
“In most private clinics, plastic surgery
practitioners usually go to conferences or
training classes to learn how to perform a
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said Xiao Ran, director of the research center
at the Plastic Surgery Hospital of the Chinese
Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking
Union Medical College.
She suggested that a complete training
system should be formulated along with
the construction of practice bases. Trainees
would only be able to receive licenses after
passing examinations and taking training
classes, while non-specialists should be
banned from working in the industry.
In addition, it is even more important
to create a healthy and diversified view of
beauty in the whole society. After all, beauty
has never had a single standard. Q$FXVWRPHUFRQVXOWVZLWKDGRFWRUDWDPHGLFDOEHDXW\FOLQLFLQQRUWK&KLQDoV7LDQMLQ0XQLFLSDOLW\LQ-XQHCN
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