Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the deceptive practices in the medical beauty industry, particularly the use of "scripted marketing" tactics to manipulate consumers into purchasing high-priced services, ultimately leading to consumer dissatisfaction and potential regulatory scrutiny [1][2]. Group 1: Deceptive Marketing Practices - Medical beauty institutions often employ "scripted marketing" strategies to create a tailored experience for consumers, making them more susceptible to purchasing high-priced projects [1]. - The role of "beauty promoters" (美托) is emphasized, as they are trained to lure consumers into beauty salons and subsequently upsell expensive treatments, often leading to consumer exploitation [2]. - The article describes a specific case where a consumer spent nearly 90,000 yuan over six months with minimal results, illustrating the emotional and financial toll on consumers [2]. Group 2: Regulatory Response - In May 2023, the State Administration for Market Regulation and 11 other departments issued guidelines to strengthen oversight of the medical beauty industry, specifically targeting "beauty promoters" and commercial bribery [2]. - Despite regulatory efforts, the continued presence of "beauty promoters" indicates a need for enhanced regulatory measures to fully understand and address the industry's deceptive practices [2]. Group 3: Industry Implications - The article raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of the medical beauty industry if deceptive practices continue, as consumer trust is eroded when the truth behind these marketing tactics is revealed [2][3]. - The notion of "beautiful economy" is discussed, cautioning against the prevalence of "beauty traps" that could undermine the industry's reputation and future growth [3].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the deceptive practices in the beauty and medical aesthetics industry, where consumers are lured into expensive treatments through manipulative tactics, leading to significant financial loss and dissatisfaction with results [2][3][4][5]. Group 1: Deceptive Practices - Beauty salons and medical aesthetic institutions are described as setting traps for consumers, turning the journey to beauty into a nightmare [2]. - The first tactic involves "room sharing," where a technician arranges for a "regular customer" to share a treatment room with the consumer, creating a false sense of trust and urgency [2][3]. - The second tactic includes staged conversations in waiting areas, where actors feign familiarity and satisfaction with the services to further persuade the consumer [3][4]. Group 2: Financial Manipulation - Consumers are often presented with high-priced treatment options, with initial quotes reaching up to 160,000 yuan, which are then "discounted" to create a false sense of value [5]. - The use of financial manipulation is evident, as consumers are encouraged to take out loans to afford treatments, with one case showing a consumer being approved for a loan of 70,000 yuan on the spot [5]. - Post-treatment, consumers face continuous upselling of additional services, leading to total expenditures exceeding 89,000 yuan without clear documentation of the procedures performed [5].