Core Viewpoint - The rising trend of cosmetic procedures among teenagers, particularly during the summer vacation, raises concerns about the psychological implications and the appropriateness of such interventions for minors [1][5][8]. Group 1: Trends in Teen Cosmetic Procedures - There is a noticeable increase in teenagers seeking cosmetic surgeries, with some as young as 11 years old participating in these procedures [3][4]. - The demographic of cosmetic surgery seekers is becoming younger, with many high school graduates and even middle school students expressing interest in procedures like double eyelid surgery and rhinoplasty [4][5]. - A report from the China Consumers Association indicates that individuals under 20 years old account for 11.12% of cosmetic procedure consumers [3]. Group 2: Psychological Factors and Family Dynamics - Many teenagers experience "appearance anxiety," often exacerbated by social media influences, leading to conflicts with parents over cosmetic procedures [2][8]. - The desire for cosmetic enhancements is sometimes linked to deeper psychological issues, such as the need for social acceptance and self-identity [8][10]. - Parents report feeling shocked and concerned about their children's strong desires for cosmetic surgery, indicating a disconnect between parental perceptions of their children's appearance and the children's self-image [2][8]. Group 3: Medical and Ethical Considerations - Medical professionals emphasize that minors should not undergo cosmetic procedures due to ongoing physical development and potential psychological impacts [5][7]. - Current regulations in China state that individuals under 18 should not undergo non-essential cosmetic procedures without parental consent and thorough medical evaluation [5][6]. - Experts warn that early cosmetic interventions can lead to long-term psychological dependencies and distorted body image perceptions among teenagers [10].

Core Viewpoint - The beauty and cosmetic surgery market is expanding due to the increasing demand for "self-care consumption," despite ongoing issues with pricing irregularities in the industry [1][2]. Group 1: Regulatory Developments - The National Healthcare Security Administration has issued a "Guideline for the Pricing of Cosmetic Surgery Medical Services (Trial)," establishing 101 cosmetic surgery projects to standardize pricing and regulate medical institutions' pricing behavior [1][3]. - The guideline does not change the market-adjusted pricing management method but aims to unify pricing items and promote a more transparent and orderly market environment [1]. Group 2: Project Classification and Pricing - The guideline provides detailed classifications for cosmetic surgery projects, such as subdividing lip enhancement into various categories like "red lip" and "lip pearl" [2]. - For well-known projects like hair transplantation, the guideline introduces a "taxi-style pricing scheme," where pricing is based on the number of units beyond a basic charge [2]. Group 3: Industry Impact and Future Directions - The measures are expected to help consumers understand the essence of the technology through project names and address the confusion of "same name, different price" and "same price, different quality" among medical institutions [2]. - The guideline allows qualified medical institutions to set additional and expanded items conditionally, which can facilitate the introduction of new technologies and materials into services [2].

Core Points - The National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) has released a guideline for the pricing of cosmetic surgery services, aiming to standardize and regulate the pricing of cosmetic procedures [1][2] - The guideline includes 101 cosmetic surgery projects, such as injection fees, rhinoplasty fees, and fat transfer fees, with a focus on clear and understandable naming conventions for services [1][3] - The guideline introduces a policy for additional charges for revision surgeries, recognizing the increased technical demands and time required for such procedures [2] Group 1 - The guideline standardizes the naming of cosmetic surgery services, making it easier for patients to understand the procedures and associated costs [1][3] - It includes new pricing projects for "reduction tension suturing" and "incision cosmetic modification," encouraging medical institutions to minimize scar formation through advanced techniques [3] - Most of the cosmetic procedures outlined in the guideline are not covered by health insurance and are considered out-of-pocket expenses, allowing medical institutions to set their own pricing [3] Group 2 - The guideline addresses the issue of varying quality among medical institutions in the cosmetic surgery field, which can lead to unsatisfactory results for patients [2] - It emphasizes the importance of transparency and fairness in pricing, encouraging institutions to publicly disclose their pricing structures [3] - The NHSA aims to guide provincial healthcare authorities to adopt the guidelines and assist qualified medical institutions in setting reasonable prices based on quality and service [3]

Core Viewpoint - The National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) has issued guidelines for the pricing of cosmetic surgery services, aiming to standardize and regulate the pricing structure in the cosmetic surgery market, promoting a more transparent and orderly environment for high-quality industry development [1][2]. Group 1: Standardization of Pricing - The guidelines do not change the market-adjusted pricing management for cosmetic surgery but focus on standardizing price items and regulating pricing behavior of medical institutions [2]. - The NHSA has unified naming conventions for commonly performed cosmetic procedures, such as "filling injections," which now includes various materials like hyaluronic acid and newer substances like polylactic acid and hydroxyapatite [2]. - Abstract pricing items like "facial sculpting" and "Korean rejuvenation" have been standardized into specific categories based on their technical principles, such as mapping "photorejuvenation" to skin beauty treatment using light/laser [2]. Group 2: Detailed Pricing Structure - The guidelines specify detailed pricing for well-known procedures like hair transplants, categorizing them by body parts (e.g., hair, eyelashes) and adopting a "starting plus quantity" pricing model, similar to a taxi fare system [2]. - Medical institutions are allowed to set additional charges and expansion items, subject to local healthcare department approval [3]. Group 3: New Pricing Projects - New pricing projects have been introduced for techniques that minimize scarring, such as "reduction beauty suturing" and "incision beauty modification," encouraging medical institutions to offer these services based on patient consent [4]. - The guidelines include additional charges for repeat surgeries, reflecting the increased technical value and labor involved in procedures like rhinoplasty and eyelid surgery [5]. Group 4: Future Implementation - The NHSA aims to guide local authorities in implementing these guidelines, encouraging public medical institutions to set fair and reasonable prices while promoting transparency by publicly disclosing pricing [5].

Core Insights - Japan's medical beauty market has surpassed 600 billion yen (approximately 30.2 billion RMB), exceeding that of South Korea, which is known as a "cosmetic surgery powerhouse" [1][3] - The market is expected to continue growing, driven by advancements in medical technology and changing social attitudes towards cosmetic procedures [3][4] Market Size and Growth - The Japanese medical beauty market was valued at 486 billion yen in 2021, representing a 120% increase from the previous year [3] - In 2023, the market is projected to reach 594 billion yen, marking a growth of 108.8% compared to 2022 [3] - From 2009 to 2023, the market has expanded 2.39 times, indicating robust growth [3] Consumer Behavior and Trends - Approximately 70% of surveyed individuals aged 15 to 49 express concern about their appearance, with 43% considering some form of cosmetic medical treatment [4] - The rise of social media has contributed to a more open attitude towards cosmetic procedures, with many celebrities and influencers openly discussing their experiences [3][4] - Non-surgical treatments, such as laser therapy and hyaluronic acid injections, are particularly popular among consumers [4] Demographic Insights - Male consumers are increasingly participating in cosmetic procedures, with treatments like beard removal gaining popularity for their time-saving benefits [4]