Adding height to noses, turning single-fold eyelids into double folds, or peeling off excess fat around the chin - cosmetic surgery has become increasingly popular among young Chinese over the past few years.

Typical of this was the fact that, during the summer vacation period in the past two months, facelift operations in the Third People's Hospital in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, increased by 40 percent.

"Beauty is an asset that needs to be funded as early as possible," said a parent of one young patient waiting outside the hospital's plastic surgery clinic.

Another parent, from Jilin province, added: " Students usually have plenty time to recuperate from plastic surgery [during their vacation] and they should do it because good looks are so essential when they are looking forward to a decent job and a satisfactory marriage upon graduation."

A student surnamed Zeng from Chengdu Senior High School, who underwent eyelids' surgery in this summer, explained: "There are 32 students in my class, among whom only seven to eight still have single-fold eyelids. The majority, including even some male students, have chosen to undergo the surgery."

However, the frenetic pace of seeking plastic surgery at such a young age arouses considerable concern among medical and psychological experts.

Ye Feilun, the director of the cosmetology department of the Third People's Hospital in Chengdu, said, young people under the age of 18 are not full-grown, so he tries to dissuade them from surgery unless they were born with some abnormity.

However, some didn't listen to his advice and sought surgery at smaller clinics that tended to be less skilled, resulting in damage to their bodies and looks, the doctor recalled.

Yin Hongying, the chief psychologist of hypnosis at Changchun Psychological Hospital of Jilin province, said the prevalence of plastic surgery among young people reflected excessive self-centered concerns.

"In the eyes of many young people, even a small mole on the face would be a defect that really matters, because they thought everybody would notice it," Yin said.

A senior student surnamed Yu from Jilin, said: "Since I was a child, I have realized that someone with good looks can enjoy lots of benefits. Moreover, as I have grown up, I found people with a pretty appearance could have more opportunities. Therefore, those with plain looks should really seek a remedy."

However, Li Yunge, the psychological consultant from the Fourth People's Hospital in Chengdu, argued that good looks aren't everything.

"Appearance is not decisive in life. Real happiness comes from cultivation of minds and hearts. A sweet life is up to the essentials, including, one's vision, cultivation and integrity," he said, suggesting the parents should not misguide their children in this regard.

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