China's plastic explosion
- By Nana K. Sidibe
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E-mail China.org.cn, July 25, 2013
"It can boost women's confidence," according to Dr. Luo Jinchao, a surgeon at Beijing MyLike and a graduate of Peking Union Medical College. "It can help them secure a job or a marriage."
It is important to note that when applying for a job in China, one's resume isn't complete without a picture. Those who are physically less blessed or confident might therefore feel disadvantaged.
The three procedures often requested by patients are lipoplasty, also known as double eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, also known as nose surgery, and mammoplasty, or breast augmentation procedure, according to Dr. Luo.
He added that a lipoplasty costs between 5,000 to 10,000 yuan; a rhinoplasty, between 10,000 to 50,000 yuan; and a breast augmentation procedure, between 20,000 to 100,000 yuan, depending on the material and brand used.
Economic growth and social pressure are factors that can push Chinese to have unrealistic goals. Chinese parents want their children to succeed not only at school but also socially. One's child should have the best or be the best physically.
The media also plays an important role in the increased demand for plastic surgery among young people. The media clearly reflects the definition of beauty in China: tall, skinny, white skin, long hair, big eyes and a high nose bridge. Anything that does not meet the criteria can hardly be considered beautiful.
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"Nowadays, media tend to exaggerate and sometimes go too far," said Bai Wei, president of Aid and Service Association and holder of a master's degree in psychology.
Joyce, a rising sophomore at Peking University, says that the media and especially television influenced her perception of beauty, especially when she was younger. Later she realized that there are many beautiful girls who don't possess big eyes or long hair.
Some of the patients actually don't need plastic surgery but rather psychological help because they suffer from an inferiority complex, added Bai.
"I think excluding actors or people who engage in a special job, 60 percent of the patients need screening before surgery, because many of them have no idea why they need surgery," said Bai. "They also don't think about how prepared they are for the outcomes of the surgery."
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