Plastic surgery is a booming business in China. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery's (ISAPS) 2024 global statistics report, China ranks third globally for the number of practising plastic surgeons and remains one of the most frequently cited countries for medical tourism. Industry analysts projected that China's medical aesthetics market would reach approximately RMB 410.8 billion (roughly $84 billion AUD) by the end of 2025, making it the world's second-largest market behind the United States.
What is driving the skyrocketing demand for cosmetic surgery in China? What procedures are most popular, and do you have to travel to China to get them done? Let's take a deep dive into the Chinese plastic surgery industry and its impact.
What Is the History of Plastic Surgery in China?
The earliest reference to plastic surgery in China can be traced back to BC 179-122. A book attributed to Liu An describes, "A pregnant woman who saw a hare [and] as a result gave birth to a baby with a cleft lip like a hare's lip." However, the advancement of modern plastic surgery in China is a much more recent endeavour.
Beginning in the late 19th century, Chinese surgeons explored new methods and travelled abroad to study with leaders in the field. Many Chinese surgeons honed their skills during World War II and its aftermath, treating burned and wounded soldiers. The period of industrialisation following the war was also a time of rapid development for China's plastic surgery industry.
Today, Chinese plastic surgeons continue to innovate, collaborate with surgeons abroad and advance the specialty. China now has approximately 5,000 practising plastic surgeons according to ISAPS, placing it third globally behind the United States and Brazil, and the country's aesthetic medicine sector has grown into one of the largest markets in the world.
How Popular Is Plastic Surgery in China?
According to a Deloitte report, the growth rate of China's aesthetic medicine market is higher than that of the global market. The report also found that:
- Aesthetic medicine is more popular in southern cities compared to northern cities
- Women aged 20-35 are the main driver of consumption
- Mature female consumers have higher average spending levels
Another study looked at sex differences in the perception and popularity of plastic surgery. It found that Chinese women reported more positive attitudes towards cosmetic surgery than Chinese men. Among Chinese men, older men reported more positive attitudes toward cosmetic surgery than younger men. No age differences were found among female participants in the study.
The demographic profile of Chinese cosmetic surgery patients is notably young. According to a survey carried out by multiple agencies, approximately 96% of cosmetic patients in China are under the age of 35. For comparison, in the United States, only about 25% of patients fall into that age bracket. Meanwhile, male consumers have grown significantly, with a 150% increase between 2020 and 2022.
The Rise of "Light Cosmetic Surgery"
One of the most significant shifts in China's aesthetic medicine market has been the rise of "light cosmetic surgery". This category encompasses minimally invasive procedures — think skin boosters, thread lifts, laser treatments and radiofrequency skin tightening.
According to Daxue Consulting, light medical aesthetics accounted for 84% of online procedure orders in 2022, up from 62% in 2017. The segment now generates more than half of total aesthetic medical revenue in China. For younger Chinese consumers, these procedures have become part of an ongoing beauty routine rather than a one-off event.
What Factors Are Fueling the Rise of Plastic Surgery in China?
A great deal has changed in China over the last century. With the country emerging as a world superpower, the rise of the middle class and its purchasing power has increased both the desire for luxuries and the ability to attain them. This has made plastic surgery more accessible as well as more acceptable.
The rise of Korean plastic surgery is closely linked to the rise of Chinese plastic surgery. In addition to influencing Chinese aesthetic preferences, the popularity of Korean plastic surgery helped increase cultural acceptance of plastic surgery in Chinese society. There is now more collaboration between Korean surgeons and Chinese surgeons, and more Chinese people who once would have travelled abroad for their procedures are choosing to seek treatment at home.
Plastic surgery is no longer seen as taboo in Chinese culture. Rather than being limited to reconstructive procedures to restore the appearance of patients with disfiguring injuries, many Chinese people now embrace the aesthetic benefits of elective cosmetic plastic surgery. This shift has become particularly noticeable as younger generations become more affluent.
For these younger generations, technological advancements and the ubiquity of social media are major drivers of interest in plastic surgery. Influencers, many of whom have had some kind of surgical enhancement, are tremendously popular on Chinese social media platforms.
How Apps and Algorithms Affect the Beauty Boom
Plastic surgery apps like SoYoung and GengMei have fundamentally changed how Chinese consumers research and book cosmetic procedures. These platforms have grown into major marketplaces, with GengMei boasting 36 million users and listings for nearly 20,000 surgeons. SoYoung reported over 4 million monthly active users as of late 2025.
These apps do more than connect patients with clinics. Users can browse before-and-after photos, compare prices across providers, read detailed reviews and even apply for financing for their procedures. Some platforms offer AI-powered facial analysis tools that scan a user's face and provide a "score" along with a personalised list of recommended procedures.
The gamification of cosmetic surgery through these platforms has normalised the idea of aesthetic procedures as routine self-improvement. "Beauty diaries" — detailed accounts of users' surgical journeys, complete with photos and recovery updates — create communities around shared experiences and drive further interest.
What Is the Attitude Towards Plastic Surgery in China?
Before modern attitudes around plastic surgery took hold, cosmetic procedures were not spoken of openly in Chinese culture. Whilst Korean plastic surgery was embraced as part of everyday life, and was so commonplace it could be given as a high school graduation gift, Chinese patients preferred to keep their work under wraps.
All this is changing. Younger Chinese men and women are not embarrassed and speak openly about getting cosmetic procedures. Many Chinese consumers see aesthetic medicine as part of their regular beauty routine, or as a way to be more competitive at work and in the dating market. Some who can afford it seek out cosmetic services together with their friends and family.
According to industry data, there is a sharp rise in cosmetic procedures in China in June and July, immediately following college entrance examinations. For these young people, cosmetic procedures are a form of graduation gift, a celebration of achievement or a way to start university with a fresh look.
Plastic surgery in China has completely transformed from hush-hush to high-profile.
What Are the Most Popular Chinese Plastic Surgery Procedures?
Many of the most popular Chinese plastic surgery procedures focus on the face. Among these, blepharoplasty or "double eyelid surgery" is the most requested. This surgery creates a crease in the upper eyelid for patients who have a single "monolid".
Rhinoplasty also ranks highly, though the goals typically differ from Western rhinoplasty. For Asian patients, nose surgery often focuses on narrowing the nasal bridge, refining the nasal tip and increasing the projection of the nose, rather than the reduction rhinoplasty more common in Western markets. Patients seeking facial shaping may request fat grafting or bone contouring (such as the popular V-line surgery).
Body surgeries for Asian patients tend to centre around enhancing proportions. Breast augmentation, for example, gives petite-figured Asian women a curvier silhouette while maintaining a balanced look. Fat transfer is an all-natural alternative for women who wish to avoid implants and would like additional contouring in another area of the body.
Nonsurgical procedures are the fastest-growing segment of the market. These treatments now make up the majority of procedures performed in China, particularly among younger patients who prefer less invasive options with minimal downtime.
While the above procedures are mainstays, new surgery fads come and go, often based on celebrities and influencers on social media. The 'elf ears' trend is a recent example. These trends highlight the influence of social media and livestreaming culture on aesthetic preferences, as well as the importance of working with a qualified surgeon who can help you think through your goals carefully rather than chasing fleeting fads.
How Safe Is Plastic Surgery in China?
Understanding the regulatory environment and choosing a qualified provider is essential no matter where a surgery takes place.
Safety standards have improved since plastic surgery's early days in China. However, the market for aesthetic procedures has grown rapidly, and regulation has struggled to keep pace.
Reports suggest there are many uncertified practitioners operating in China, with hundreds of unlicensed practices (sometimes called "black clinics") offering procedures in settings that do not meet appropriate standards.
The Chinese government has responded with increased enforcement efforts. In 2021, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) cracked down on medical aesthetic advertising that could produce "appearance anxiety." SAMR also led efforts to strengthen qualification reviews and training regulations.
In May 2023, 11 ministerial-level departments issued joint guidelines aimed at tightening oversight of the Chinese medical aesthetics industry. These efforts continued in 2024 and 2025. SAMR issued additional regulations for medical advertising, and Chinese media outlets are increasingly reporting on the potential dangers of the country's aesthetic industry.
Medical Tourism: Should I Have Plastic Surgery in China or Australia?
Medical tourism to destinations like China has grown significantly in recent decades, driven by perceptions of lower costs and specialised expertise in Asian aesthetic techniques.
For Australians, travelling overseas for surgery involves serious practical considerations beyond cost. Language barriers can complicate consultations and post-operative care. Follow-up appointments may be difficult or impossible once you've returned home.
If complications arise, addressing them locally can be challenging, and it may require additional procedures with a new surgeon who wasn't involved in the original surgery. It may also be difficult to assess whether you are seeing a qualified practitioner in a regulated setting, particularly if there is a language barrier.
Approximately 15,000 Australians travel overseas annually for medical treatment, spending an estimated $300 million per year on elective procedures. Reports also indicate a significant rise in patients requiring corrective treatment after overseas surgery. The Australian Medical Association encourages anyone considering medical tourism to weigh the risks and benefits clearly before making a decision. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons also cautions against medical tourism.
For patients seeking "Chinese-style" or "Asian-style" results, working with a surgeon in Australia who has specific expertise in Asian facial anatomy and aesthetics can provide the cultural understanding you're looking for combined with the continuity of care, regulatory protections and accessibility that come with local treatment.
What About Plastic Surgery in Other Asian Countries?
Want to learn more about plastic surgery throughout Asia? Read the rest of our series on Asian plastic surgery:
- Korean plastic surgery
- Japanese plastic surgery
- Vietnamese plastic surgery
- Thailand plastic surgery
- Singaporean plastic surgery
- Indonesian plastic surgery
- Taiwanese plastic surgery
Where Can You Get Chinese Plastic Surgery in Sydney?
Increasingly, discerning Chinese patients are seeking the benefits of Chinese plastic surgery without the drawbacks of travelling abroad for medical procedures. Our team of fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeons founded Asian Plastic Surgery to provide the highest possible standard of care to Asian patients in Sydney and throughout Australia.
Dr Ellis Choy, who is from a Chinese background and speaks three Chinese dialects, has extensive experience and personal understanding of the unique needs of Chinese plastic surgery patients. This understanding extends beyond anatomical characteristics to a deep appreciation of Chinese culture, values and perceptions of beauty.
Contact Sydney's Asian Plastic Surgery to Schedule a Consultation
At Asian Plastic Surgery, consultations are conducted in a thorough, unhurried manner. We allow for plenty of time to understand your individual goals, discuss your options in detail and ensure you have realistic expectations about what can be achieved.
To request a consultation for Chinese plastic surgery in Sydney, contact us on (02) 5104 9703 or fill out our enquiry form today.
