Customer size of plastic surgery in China 2008-2018
In 2018, 22 million people received cosmetic surgery in China, showing a sevenfold increase on the past decade. Cosmetic surgery has become more acceptable in the country as many Chinese, especially the younger generation, believe that a better appearance can boost their salaries.
The social media affliction
Conventionally, cosmetic surgery is considered at an older age to uplift skin, change facial features or restore youthful physical features. However, in China, a majority of customers undergoing cosmetic procedures belonged to a younger demographic, where high school students would also consider cosmetic surgery. Most of the younger generations opted for cosmetic treatments for vanity and popularity on social media. Studies have shown that increased usage of social media and photo editing correlated with increased consideration for plastic surgery.
The young women of China
The pursuit of physical beauty in China can be attributed to various inherent societal perks available across the country. Users cited happiness, career propagation, and immediate visible results as motives to undergo cosmetic surgery. However, the share of consumers opting for cosmetic surgery across the country is skewed towards women, especially younger women when compared to their male counterparts. In China, femininity is considered synonymous with physical beauty, which in recent times can be achieved comfortably with the substantial advancement of cosmetic surgery. Consequently, the cosmetic surgery industry in the country has been subject to unprecedented expansion, owing to the ease of accessibility and increasing cultural and societal expectations of beauty.
The social media affliction
Conventionally, cosmetic surgery is considered at an older age to uplift skin, change facial features or restore youthful physical features. However, in China, a majority of customers undergoing cosmetic procedures belonged to a younger demographic, where high school students would also consider cosmetic surgery. Most of the younger generations opted for cosmetic treatments for vanity and popularity on social media. Studies have shown that increased usage of social media and photo editing correlated with increased consideration for plastic surgery.
The young women of China
The pursuit of physical beauty in China can be attributed to various inherent societal perks available across the country. Users cited happiness, career propagation, and immediate visible results as motives to undergo cosmetic surgery. However, the share of consumers opting for cosmetic surgery across the country is skewed towards women, especially younger women when compared to their male counterparts. In China, femininity is considered synonymous with physical beauty, which in recent times can be achieved comfortably with the substantial advancement of cosmetic surgery. Consequently, the cosmetic surgery industry in the country has been subject to unprecedented expansion, owing to the ease of accessibility and increasing cultural and societal expectations of beauty.
