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China's plastic explosion

By Nana K. Sidibe: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, July 25, 2013

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Booming industry

The plastic surgery industry has boomed in China over the past few years and the competition among hospitals has been fierce. In 2010, the industry was worth 300 billion yuan (US$48 billion), according to the All China Women's Federation.

The MyLike Hospital Group has effectuated approximately 2 million surgeries since its creation in the 1990s, according to Xu Jia, the media and public relations manager of Beijing MyLike. The Beijing hospital, located in Chaoyang District, is the largest operated by the MyLike Group, which also has hospitals in Chinese cities such as Guangzhou, Suzhou and also abroad, in Seoul, South Korea.

Lobby of the Beijing MyLike Hospital, Chaoyang District

Beijing MyLike Hospital tries to differentiate itself from its competitors by hiring the best surgeons and using the latest devices. The medical team is composed of Chinese doctors as well as professionals from Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. The equipment used is sophisticated and often imported from overseas. Beijing MyLike is the only hospital in the Chinese capital that disposes of laser devices used for the treatment of skin imperfections, according to a hospital spokesperson. The 13 devices are worth 1 million yuan each and are imported from the United States and Israel. In order to correct skin imperfections, patients have to attend several sessions.

Sichuan MyLike Hospital, part of the MyLike Hospital Group, even organizes a contest -- the winner of which is awarded free plastic surgery -- in an attempt to explain to the general public what plastic surgery is. The contest was the subject of the documentary "What I Hate About Myself", by two American students, Bobby Moser and Ben Mullinkosson. The documentary, which charts the journey of the contest's eventual winner, is only available in the United States, per the request of the winner.

The Korea connection

South Korea is an option for those who do not fully trust Chinese surgeons. Seoul has long been considered the Asian Mecca for plastic surgery and a growing number of Chinese choose to have surgery there. It is not uncommon for Chinese patients to bring pictures of their favorite celebrities and ask for the same nose or eyes.

"Surgeons in Korea might be better than [those] in China," said Larkin, a rising sophomore at Peking University. "In South Korea, they have been doing plastic surgery for many years and have more experience. A lot of doctors here don't have licenses."

The popularity of Korean pop culture, referred to as the Hallyu Wave, also plays a role in the increased demand for plastic surgery. The birth of girl bands such as Sistar and Girl's Generation; and the spread of Korean dramas introduced pretty and young idols that are considered by many to be ideals of beauty.