In search of new professional horizons

Plastic surgery is an obsession for men in China

There is an increasing demand among young people in their twenties, especially for rhinoplasty or eyesight.

AFP

Xia Shurong, who is not yet 30, is preparing for a facelift, hoping that his new look will open new career horizons for him, as are the millions of men who resort to plastic surgery in China.

Beauty standards are strict in the country, and they require that the skin be light, as dark skin is often attributed to peasants, and the eyes are relatively large and the nose is sufficiently prominent.

Xia Shurong, a 27-year-old science researcher, can no longer stand his geeky appearance and wants to adopt a style that opens more doors for him in life.

He says: "At my age, I should be young and handsome, when I look like a man in his forties."

The young man had previously spent 40,000 yuan (5,200 euros) on a first surgery at the beginning of the year, during which excess fat was suctioned from part of his body to be implanted in the face in order to change his features.

“I spent my childhood in the countryside, and my skin was not beautiful, it was dark in colour,” says Xia Shurong.

And my appearance was not charming, so to speak.”

Social networks

Xia Shurong does not hide the role that social networks have played in this regard, with users showing off their looks on photos, and influencers offering beauty tips.

Like an increasing number of educated men in China, they do not hesitate to visit beauty clinics that offer them a wide range of services.

A study conducted by the "I-Research Group" showed that 17% of Chinese employees in responsible positions resorted to this type of operation, compared to 30% of women, often before they reach the age of 30.

Many of them are government employees who seek to beautify the face so that their external appearance is not an obstacle to their career path, according to Rose Han from the chain of plastic surgery centers "Booker".

"A change of fate"

And there is an increasing demand among young people in their twenties, especially for rhinoplasty or eyesight.

These are more open than the previous generation, according to the Chinese application "Suyang" specialized in this regard.

Zhang Xiaolong was an employee of an information company before social media became an influencer.

On these platforms, he shares his experience in the field of plastic surgery.

“The more attractive you are, the more chances you will be called in front of the cameras,” he says, tasks that are generally highly paid in China.

Among the operations that the young man performed, a controversial operation known as “alpha ear” involves injecting hyaluronic acid into the ears to make them more prominent, thus making the face appear smaller.

As for Nai Win, an actor in his thirties, he admits that he has had 60 plastic surgeries.

The young man reveals that “it is very simple.

It is wonderful to always look young without showing signs of old age.”

17% of Chinese employed in responsible positions resorted to operations, compared to 30% of women.

Beauty standards are strict in the country, and they require that the skin be light, as dark skin is often attributed to peasants.

A controversial procedure known as elliptical auricle makes the ears more prominent, making the face appear smaller.

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