Hao Lijun has had a full schedule since early June, especially after the national college entrance exam, or gaokao, with a noticeable increase lately in recent high school graduates and college-age students seeking plastic surgery.

"People are seeking medical cosmetology procedures at a younger age to improve their appearance. This is especially the case for high school graduates hoping to take on a fresh look when entering a new environment," said Hao, director of the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University Plastic and Beauty Center in Heilongjiang province.

Over the past month, the center has seen a 100 to 200 percent increase in patients, with 80 percent recent high school graduates. To accommodate the demand and ensure safety, all medical staff at the center have foregone their summer vacations, doubling the number of daily surgeries possible from around 15 to some 30.

Double eyelid surgery is the most popular among his patients, followed by rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) and minimally invasive axial sweat gland reduction, said Hao, who has specialized in plastic surgery for 34 years.

The trend of undergoing such cosmetic procedures after sitting for the gaokao started a decade ago, but there has been a change in parents' attitudes, who are increasingly open-minded and supportive of their children's decisions, especially among those who have undergone cosmetic procedures themselves.

Despite this shift, there are still some parents who hesitate when their children express a desire for plastic surgery, often due to concerns about discomfort, risk of failure or financial burdens. For instance, the cost of double eyelid surgery can range from 8,000 yuan ($1,102) to 14,000 yuan, depending on the expertise and qualifications of the specialists involved.

Zeng Yuyuan, 19, a first-year student majoring in dance at Dalian University in Liaoning province, had a double eyelid surgery and chin augmentation simultaneously at a cosmetic surgery hospital in Changde, Hunan province, the day after taking the national college entrance exam in 2022.

On June 9, Zeng posted on Xiaohongshu — a lifestyle-sharing platform — celebrating the first anniversary of her surgery and expressing that it was the best decision she made after taking the gaokao.

"I have learned dance for years and hope to be an excellent dancer in the future," she said. "However, during my high school time, I kept feeling anxious about my looks as I felt my eyes were not expressive enough."

Before the national college entrance exam, Zeng tried to casually drop some hints within her parents' earshot about her idea of having plastic surgery to change some of her facial features. "To my surprise, they agreed without any hesitation," she said. "They even said they would pay for the procedures as a gift for my 18th birthday. They also accompanied me during the whole process and encouraged me not to be afraid."

After entering university, Zeng's overall self-confidence was boosted as she believes a dancer's eyes are an important element in capturing an audience's attention and conveying aesthetic and artistic emotion.

Amid this trend, experts are emphasizing the importance of considering the potential risks and approaching possible cosmetic procedures with caution.

"Young students and parents should carefully evaluate their needs and choose qualified medical institutions, while avoiding illegal and unauthorized treatments," Guo Liang, director of the plastic surgery center at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei province, told local media.

Guo said it is the responsibility of parents in particular in guiding youngsters to make rational decisions regarding suitable cosmetic procedures. He also cautioned against extreme alterations that radically change one's appearance.

zhouhuiying@chinadaily.com.cn