Take Your Frown Away: Lunchtime Procedures in Beijing

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Let’s face it, this year has left all of us a little worse for wear. With the festive season fast approaching, it might have crossed some of our minds to get a much-needed tune-up. To paraphrase Dolly Parton, get anything that is drooping, loosening, or sagging nipped, sucked, and tucked! Yes, I am talking about plastic surgery! Or at the very least, a good old lunchtime procedure. You might have considered getting those fine lines, crow's feet, and wrinkles taken care of, but like most expats in Beijing, you have that reserved for your trips back home, in a healthcare system you understand, and medical practitioners you trust.

But what you might not know is, lunchtime procedures are one of the best-kept secrets in Beijing. Look around and you will see flawless, smooth, taut skin. Granted, a lot of that beautiful youthful-looking skin is natural, but many of those beautiful faces have had some work done, albeit tastefully. You might have a few reservations about whether or not having such a procedure in Beijing is a good idea, what with the possible language barrier, and the potential for counterfeit medical products. Sure, visiting an international hospital to get a ‘tasteful touchup’ done is also an option, but you might be afraid of the potentially prohibitive cost of such a visit. What to do?

Dr. Faith Deng and Doctor Li, both medical board-certified cosmetic surgery specialists based in Beijing, wish to allay your fears.

Dr. Faith Deng (left), Dr. Li (right)

If you are still under the impression that cosmetic surgery is the preserve of celebrities and the wealthy, think again. Everyone, even your ayi, could have had some work done. There is something for everyone, with different price points to fit any pocket. As Dr. Deng puts it, “Cosmetic surgery is becoming more and more popular, including among working people, housewives, even university students! While twenty years ago, it was the preserve of the rich and famous.” According to Dr. Li, an average cosmetic procedure patient will be a bachelor degree holder, potentially married, and has a bit of disposable income to splash about, with the ultra-rich now turning to ‘micro-plastic surgery’.

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You might have heard of the most popular cosmetic procedure not only in China but in East Asia: double eyelid surgery. But other than this procedure – which some of us might find rather strange to fathom, what else does your average patient in China want, what motivates them to seek a plastic surgeon’s services? “The most common procedures are double eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, and breast augmentation, while the most common non-surgical methods are mainly to improve contour shaping, such as facelifts, hyaluronic acid rhinoplasty, chin augmentation, etc. Women over the age of 35 are more likely to choose anti-aging items, such as laser, radiofrequency, botox, and hyaluronic acid,” explains Dr. Li. “Now, some teenagers come for acne treatment as well,” adds Dr. Deng.

Before and after

And just in case you were wondering what micro-plastic surgery is, it encompasses the vast world of fillers. As Dr. Li explains, “microplastic surgery procedures include botox injection, which is mainly used to solve the problem of dynamic wrinkles such as forehead lines, frown lines, crow’s feet, and neck fine lines, and hyaluronic acid filling, of which there are many brands both imported and domestic. According to the degree of need in different parts of each person, different amounts of hyaluronic acid can be selected, which are mainly used to fill and solve problems in certain areas such as when the nasolabial folds are sunken and the cheeks are sunken.”

How Long it Takes to Heal

According to both Dr. Li and Dr. Deng, the injection process of botox usually takes five to ten minutes. It is recommended to avoid water for four to six hours after injection to avoid pinhole infections. Avoid overheating within three days after injection. Wash your face with water and avoid strong massages. It starts to take effect in three to seven days. The effect is usually maintained for three to six months. Different people have different muscle strengths and different recovery speeds.

In addition, people with rich expressions have a relatively short efficacy time period with botox. In order to maintain it for a long period of time, you can achieve this effect through a single injection of a large dose, but a single high-dose injection will also increase the discomfort of people who are more expressive than others.

Word to the Wise!

When it comes to who should be poking and prodding your face with fillers, Dr. Deng has useful advice. “Such procedures should be performed by a certified plastic surgeon or a cosmetic dermatologist at a medical center such as a hospital or a cosmetic clinic.” Dr. Li adds: “Choose someone who has performed such procedures on people you may know whose results you find satisfactory. Choose carefully, slowly start trying out different items, and when the changes are brought about, if you are satisfied, return to the same doctor, because the doctor will understand your needs better, your feedback after each injection, and the maintenance time, in order to make the most suitable injection plan for you.”

And as for how much it might set you back, the possible cost of different items is not the same. “In Beijing, botox such as Hengli, the quotation is about RMB 400 to 800 depending on the injection site, and the price of botox fluctuates from RMB 1,000 to RMB 2,000. The price is based on the whole vile of the product to be used. 100u usually comes in at RMB 1,600 to RMB 2,600, and 100u botox is quoted at RMB 4,500 to RMB 8,000,” explains Dr. Li.

In short, it is quite alright to be worried. Making the right decision when it comes to a medical-based decision could not be any more important. But do not be afraid to consult a Chinese doctor, and enjoy the ‘less is more’ philosophy of beauty that keeps everyone looking younger and fresh-faced for longer.

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Photos: Courtesy of Dr. Li,  Dr. Deng, Unsplash

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