In China, the booming industry of cosmetic surgery is changing lives and careers for more and more adults. As many as 20 million people each year go through elective cosmetic procedures, meaning beauty standards are constantly changing with the times. Abby Wu is just one of thousands figuring out this brave new world. She started her incredible journey at the age of just 14 and has had an amazing 100 operations since then!
Cosmetic surgery does this because they largely cater to a predominately female clientele, as 80% of cosmetic surgery patients are women. The average age of these patients is just 25 years. This trend is symptomatic of larger societal pressures and expectations when it comes to one’s appearance. Many individuals seek to enhance their looks, while others, like Gao Liu and Yue Yue, have faced significant challenges stemming from their surgeries.
Gao Liu experienced a traumatic transformation, stating, “My face was disfigured and I was very down. It ruined my acting career.” These accounts highlight the dangers that can come with cosmetic surgery, especially when patients choose to go through with procedures in underground clinics.
Yue Yue’s experience offers a glimpse into the other side of beauty enhancement as well. After a botched surgery, she lamented, “My skin felt like there was cement underneath.” The aftermath affected her career in human resources, leading her to say, “My entire image collapsed. I lost my shine and it’s affected my work too.” The emotional and professional impact of failed surgeries is one sobering reality to many.
Her story, like many others, is a testimony to the beauty and dangers of cosmetic surgery. Encouraged by her mother to pursue beauty enhancements, Abby recalled, “Just be brave and walk in. You’ll become pretty once you’re out.” This support catapulted her into another realm. In the past, she went through pretty extreme surgeries, like the nose surgery shown here in her six-year-old clip.
Surgeons now face greater risk and more difficulty operating on her with every surgery as her skin’s elasticity decreases with each procedure. Abby noted, “My skin isn’t as stretchable after so many procedures. The doctors don’t have much to work with.” This mistrust rings true to the reality of many who seek out several surgeries only to have them result in deformities which can prevent further improvements.
Dr. Yang Lu, an experienced practitioner and researcher in the field, discussed what made cosmetic surgery so dangerous in China. He remarked, “I’ve seen many patients whose first surgery was botched because they went to unlicensed places.” It underscores the need for consumers to put their faith in properly vetted experts to reduce dangers involved in nonessential beauty procedures.
The unrealistic expectations society imposes on beauty are taking their toll across many sectors. For instance, one receptionist position explicitly required candidates to be “at least 160cm tall and aesthetically pleasing,” while another administrative role demanded “an appealing look and an elegant presence.” Such standards can push people towards resorting to surgical procedures to achieve these ideals.
Through Abby’s active use of social media, her advocacy and journey have become very public. In the process, she captures her transformations and brings us inside her journey so that we feel what she feels. Reflecting on her surgeries, she stated, “The surgery worked. I became more confident and happier, day by day. I think my mum made the right call.” Even with all of the physical changes and tribulations they bring, Abby still holds true to her commitment to her pursuit of beauty. She candidly shared, “I don’t think I’ll ever stop my journey of becoming more beautiful.”
Along with familiar processes, new techniques are being introduced in the cosmetic surgery world. For example, Botox is currently being injected in a semicircle behind the ears—as if by magic, this creates an illusion of a smaller face. These innovations are the latest step in an expanding movement across the industry to align with a growing consumer preference for sustainability and convenience.
Even as these innovations take off, we should look closely at stories like Gao Liu’s and Yue Yue’s, which are becoming cautionary tales. After multiple operations without success, Yue Yue expressed deep regret about her decisions: “If I could go back to how I looked before surgery, I’d be quite happy.” Her journeys speak for millions who struggle with what saving money or following the rules means for their daily life.
As cosmetic surgery is further integrated into Chinese society, the effects, whether beneficial or adverse, are still being played out. People like Abby Wu represent the successes, as well as the challenges, of this path forward. She needs to move ahead with courage and conviction. Though she’s excited about the recent improvements, she’s candid about the trade-offs involved in her decisions.
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