Group 1 - The "youth economy" is thriving post-exams, with medical beauty institutions experiencing their busiest season as students combine beauty treatments with travel [1][4] - There is a notable increase in student patients, with a reported 10% to 30% rise in visits to dermatology departments and over a hundred additional surgeries per month in cosmetic centers during July and August [5][6] - Popular procedures among students include double eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, and facial fillers, with demand increasing by 30% compared to regular periods [5][6] Group 2 - Many students are traveling abroad for medical beauty treatments, particularly to South Korea, where the cost-effectiveness and quality of services attract them [7][8] - Social media plays a significant role in promoting the trend, with discussions and content related to beauty treatments and travel gaining immense popularity [9] - The collaboration of medical beauty and tourism services is crucial, with South Korea offering comprehensive packages that include medical visas and local support for foreign patients [11] Group 3 - Cities like Chengdu are positioning themselves as medical beauty hubs, with plans to generate 100 billion yuan in revenue by 2025 through strategic development policies [11][12] - The shift in consumer preferences towards integrated wellness and beauty experiences is creating opportunities for new business models that combine medical beauty with tourism [12] - The industry faces challenges, including the risk of students falling prey to low-cost, unregulated clinics and the potential for miscommunication during overseas treatments [13][14]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the booming trend of "medical beauty + tourism" among young students in China, particularly after the college entrance examination, indicating a significant increase in demand for cosmetic procedures during the summer months [3][10][11]. Group 1: Market Trends - The summer period post-exams sees a surge in medical beauty procedures, with reports indicating a 10% to 30% increase in student patients at certain hospitals [5][8]. - Popular procedures among students include double eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, and facial contouring, with a reported 30% increase in related business during the summer [7][10]. - The trend of students traveling to major cities or abroad for cosmetic procedures is growing, with a notable flow from second and third-tier cities to first-tier cities and international destinations like South Korea and Japan [8][10]. Group 2: Economic Impact - The report from Deloitte indicates that 31% of middle to high-income individuals plan to seek cosmetic procedures abroad in 2024, translating to over 9 million potential outbound medical beauty seekers based on current estimates [10]. - Chengdu is positioning itself as an "international medical beauty capital," with plans to achieve a revenue target of 100 billion yuan by 2025 [16]. Group 3: Consumer Behavior - Young consumers are increasingly calculating the cost-benefit ratio of beauty procedures, often opting for international options due to lower prices and perceived higher quality [9][14]. - Social media plays a significant role in promoting this trend, with platforms like Xiaohongshu and Douyin generating substantial discussions and views on beauty transformations and travel experiences [11]. Group 4: Service and Infrastructure - South Korea offers comprehensive services for medical tourists, including medical visas and bilingual support, enhancing the appeal for Chinese students seeking cosmetic procedures [15]. - Domestic cities are also exploring innovative models that combine tourism and medical beauty, with initiatives to develop unique beauty tourism routes [16]. Group 5: Risks and Challenges - Despite the growing trend, there are significant risks associated with low-cost procedures, including the potential for infections and financial pitfalls from "beauty loans" [18][19]. - Language barriers and lack of regulatory oversight for local guides can lead to miscommunication and unsafe practices in foreign medical settings [20].

Core Insights - The article highlights the booming trend of "medical beauty" combined with tourism among young students during the summer after the college entrance examination, indicating a significant shift in consumer behavior towards beauty treatments and travel experiences [2][6][10] Group 1: Industry Trends - The summer period sees a 10% to 30% increase in student patients at dermatology clinics, with surgical procedures at cosmetic centers rising by over 100 cases monthly during July and August [3][4] - Popular procedures among students include double eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, and facial fillers, with demand increasing by 30% compared to regular periods [3][4] - The trend of students traveling from second and third-tier cities to first-tier cities for cosmetic procedures is notable, with international destinations like South Korea and Japan being preferred [4][5] Group 2: Economic Impact - A report indicates that 31% of middle to high-income individuals plan to seek cosmetic procedures abroad in 2024, translating to over 9 million potential outbound medical beauty consumers based on current estimates [5][6] - The medical beauty industry in Chengdu aims for a revenue target of 100 billion yuan by 2025, supported by local government policies promoting the sector [9] Group 3: Consumer Behavior - Social media platforms like Xiaohongshu and Douyin have significantly influenced the popularity of "medical beauty + tourism," with discussions and views on related topics exceeding 100 million [6] - Young consumers are increasingly calculating the cost-effectiveness of procedures abroad, with significant price differences noted between domestic and international options [5][8] Group 4: Regulatory and Safety Concerns - The article raises concerns about the risks associated with cosmetic procedures, particularly for students who may fall victim to unregulated clinics and financial traps [10][11] - Issues such as language barriers and lack of oversight for local guides in foreign countries can lead to complications for consumers seeking medical beauty services [10][11]

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].

Industry Overview - The cosmetic surgery industry is defined as a medical branch focused on enhancing individual aesthetic appearance through surgical, pharmaceutical, and medical device interventions, comprising two main segments: medical beauty and lifestyle beauty [1] - Medical beauty focuses on invasive treatments, while lifestyle beauty emphasizes non-invasive services [1] Industry Classification - Cosmetic surgery includes facial procedures (e.g., double eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty), body procedures (e.g., liposuction, breast augmentation), skin treatments (e.g., laser beauty), intimate procedures (e.g., vaginal tightening), and hand procedures [2] Historical Development - The modern cosmetic surgery field began in the late 19th century, with significant advancements during and after the World Wars due to the need for reconstructive surgeries [4] - The 21st century has seen rapid growth in the industry, particularly in Asia, with technological advancements enhancing service quality [4] Market Size and Growth Rate - The Chinese medical beauty market experienced a decline in growth rate to 9.9% in 2020 due to the pandemic but rebounded to a market size of 217.9 billion RMB in 2021, with a growth rate of 12.4% [8] - Projections indicate the market could reach 410.8 billion RMB by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.2% from 2024 to 2025 [8] Non-Surgical Market Dynamics - The non-surgical medical beauty market, driven by increasing demand for anti-aging solutions, reached 75.2 billion RMB in 2021 and is expected to exceed 227.9 billion RMB by 2025, with a CAGR of 31.9% [9] - In 2022, approximately 70% of consumers opted for non-surgical procedures, reflecting a shift towards less invasive options [10] Regulatory Environment - Recent years have seen increased regulatory scrutiny in China's cosmetic surgery industry, with new laws aimed at ensuring consumer protection and market order [11] - Regulations include stricter standards for the establishment and operation of cosmetic surgery institutions and enhanced scrutiny of advertising claims [11] Industry Challenges - The industry faces challenges such as inconsistent entry standards, misleading advertising, inadequate enforcement of regulations, and the circulation of counterfeit medical products [13] - Consumer rights protection mechanisms are still developing, with existing laws needing stronger enforcement against violations [13] Future Outlook - The cosmetic surgery industry is expected to grow significantly due to rising living standards, changing aesthetic values, and advancements in medical technology [15] - The integration of international best practices and local expertise is anticipated to enhance service quality and safety in the industry [15]