PRIME previews the upcoming AMWC China Congress taking place in Chengdu on October 18–20th 2024
AMWC China, now in its 4th edition, has quickly become the second largest Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress (AMWC) conference globally. The AMWC is renowned for being at the forefront in the field of medical aesthetics, providing a global stage for professionals to discuss, learn, and innovate. This year, AMWC China 2024 will gather over 180 distinguished experts in anti-ageing medicine, cosmetic surgery, and dermatology from both domestic and international fields. Together, they will discuss global trends in the medical aesthetics industry, share innovative products and practical cases from both domestic and international medical aesthetics technology, and deeply analyse current hot topics in medical aesthetics.
In addition, AMWC China is set to host a series of competitions and masterclasses, each designed to foster professional growth, showcase cutting-edge advancements, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge among the best in the industry. From the prestigious Face Rejuvenation Case Competition, the Young Physicians Medical Research Elite Competition, and the practical Injection Masterclass, each segment of the event aims to enhance the skills and understanding of delegates.
AMWC Face Rejuvenation Case Competition
This authoritative and creative competition aims to bring together experts in global medical beauty to explore the latest technology and concepts of facial rejuvenation.
Doctors will have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and unique insights in the field of facial rejuvenation, as well as discuss the latest trends and developments in facial rejuvenation by sharing their latest achievements in surgical techniques, non-surgical therapies, and personalised treatments.
The AMWC Facial Rejuvenation Case Competition is a comprehensive display of aesthetic medicine technology and an important promotion of the developments taking place in the aesthetic medicine industry. By holding the competition, we hope to inspire more doctors and promote the continuous innovation and progress of facial rejuvenation technology to bring more safe and effective treatment programmes to patients.
AMWC Young Physicians Medical Research Elite Competition
The aim of the competition is to discover and commend outstanding young doctors and researchers in aesthetic medicine and promote the innovation and progress of the aesthetic medicine industry. The competition will pay special attention to the latest research progress in the fields of ‘basic research’ and ‘clinical research’ related to aesthetic medicine.
We encourage young medical researchers to think eclectically and incorporate inspiration from different fields into their research. Through this competition, we hope to provide a broad platform for young physicians so that they have the opportunity to interact and exchange with outstanding medical researchers and experts at home and abroad and promote academic cooperation and professional development. Participants have the opportunity to showcase their outstanding achievements, share their research results and medical insights, and promote cross-industry exchanges and cooperation.
AMWC Injection Masterclass
The AMWC China 2024 Injection Masterclass is a significant event at the conference, providing a unique platform for practitioners in the medical aesthetics industry to exchange ideas, interact, and practice hands-on skills. The masterclass will bring together several Asian experts who have a deep background and extensive knowledge of injection technology and clinical operation experience. These experts will share their exclusive clinical skills and hands-on experience, including how to assess patient needs, develop an effective facial rejuvenation injection solution that is personalised and in line with Asian trends, and deal with problems that may arise.
For more information: amwcchina.com/
INTERVIEW: DR HANG WANG
To learn more about the medical aesthetics industry in China, PRIME took the opportunity to speak to the executive director of AMWC China’s Scientific Committee, Dr Hang Wang
After graduating from the top dental hospital in China, Dr Wang joined the clinical faculty at West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, specialising in Facial Plastic Surgery. Alongside her academic endeavours, Dr Wang has been practising facial cosmetic and plastic surgery for over two decades, with a particular focus on filler and toxin treatments for facial rejuvenation and emotional beauty. Her extensive experience includes over 20 years of expertise in injection techniques. Her main scientific research focuses on the clinical application of adipose tissue and adipose stem cells, basic research on biomaterials and stem cells, and hyaluronic acid microplastic surgery. Dr Wang has published over 60 articles in international journals, further highlighting her commitment to advancing research in the field.
What is the market scale and trends of China’s medical aesthetics industry?
From RMB 36,000 (around 6000usd) per capita urban disposable income in 2017, to RMB 49,000 (around 7000USD) in 2022, the consumption capacity of Chinese people has been steadily increasing year on year, and the willingness to consume medical aesthetics is also gradually increasing. Following the continuous implementation of a series of policies to expand domestic demand, and driven by consumption restoration and growth in demand for medical aesthetics post pandemic; the medical aesthetics market is expected to achieve a growth rate of 20% in 2023 and maintain a compound annual growth rate of around 15% in the following four years. The industry is expected to develop steadily based on the potential and resilience of the Chinese economy and the vitality and momentum of China’s medical aesthetics market.
China’s medical aesthetics industry is developing rapidly. Compared with Japan, the United States and South Korea, the penetration rate of medical aesthetics services in China is relatively low, and there is a huge opportunity for future growth. The market size is expected to exceed 200 billion yuan by 2023 and reach 507.1 billion yuan by 2028.
Who are the major brand players in the Chinese market?
At present, products in China’s medical aesthetics market are mainly imported brands, as well as several local brands. Imported companies and brands include Allergan (Juvederm, Botox, CoolSculpting), Galderma (Restylane, Dysport), Sinclair (Ellense S), Hugel (Letybo), Merz (Belotero), Princess, FILLMED, LG Chem (Yvoire), Cynosure, Candela, Fotona, Thermage, and Canfield (Visia). Local companies and brands include Bloomage Biotech (Agualauna, Biohyalux), SinoBiom (Loviselle, PLLA), Jinbo (Weiyimei, Recombinant Humanized Type III Collagen), Giant Biogene (Comfy), Juyou Bio-tech, Lanzhou Institute of Biological Products (Hengli), and Botanee (Winona). At present, there are more than 30 brands of hyaluronic acid products registered in China, as well as four brands of botulinum toxin; other products include PLLA and PCL. At present, the Chinese medical aesthetics market is vast, and some products of foreign brands, such as Teoxane have also started clinical trials in China.
What are some current popular treatment methods in China?
Relevant surveys show that in 2022, 70% of respondents who have undertaken medical aesthetics treatments chose skin aesthetic-related services. Compared with the survey data from 2020, consumer awareness of anti-ageing has increased considerably, and firming and anti-ageing surpassed whitening and brightening. Another interesting finding was that about 60% of medical aesthetics customers chose facial adjustment treatments. With the popularity of light medical aesthetics services and the fact that beauty seekers are paying more attention to anti-ageing, medical aesthetics services that were popular in 2020, such as rhinoplasty, eye canthus opening and other plastic surgery treatments — are gradually being replaced by wrinkle removal, apple skin and dark circle removal and other non-surgical facial rejuvenation therapies. About 40% of medical aesthetics customers have undergone body shaping treatments, among which underarm odour and underarm hair removal were extremely popular. Based on the pursuit of the S-shaped body, treatments such as partial body liposuction/fat melting, breast enhancement, and buttock enhancement are also popular.
Why is the industry still not very well regulated when there are regulatory policies in place?
In order to promote a standardised and healthy development of the industry, in recent years, the state has stepped up supervision and enacted a series of policies and regulations involving product research and development, production, sales, promotion, and services within the medical aesthetics industry. In the first half of 2023, a total of 13 policies and regulations were announced, targeted at rectifying the irregularities in the industry and promoting a more sustainable and healthy development for medical aesthetics in China.
Take the ‘Guiding Opinions on Further Strengthening the Supervision of the Medical Aesthetics Industry’ policy, promulgated by the State Administration for Market Regulation and 11 departments, released on May 4th 2023, as an example. The state’s supervision of the industry is more detailed and comprehensive. Clear provisions have been made in terms of access management, comprehensive supervision during and after the event, and supervision of related fields and industries. Specific requirements have also been put forward for the operational compliance of institutions.
China’s medical aesthetics industry and systems are gradually moving towards more standardisation, with greater transparency of information, thereby boosting the safety for Chinese consumers. In the long run, grey areas such as ‘black medical aesthetics’, ‘black injections’ and ‘violation of regulations and counterfeiting’ within the industry will definitely be abolished. Leading medical and aesthetics companies with comprehensive licenses, strong research and development, and mature and compliant products are expected to benefit from rigorous industry supervision. With the cooperation of various national departments, medical aesthetics product companies, medical aesthetics service institutes, and consumers, China’s medical aesthetics industry chain will be more regulated and ready to promote sustainable market expansion.
Who can perform treatments, and how is product safety judged and implemented?
In China, if a doctor wants to practice in the medical aesthetics industry, in addition to obtaining a medical practitioner license and a licensed physician registration certificate, they also have to obtain a medical aesthetics attending physician license. Medical aesthetics attending physician majors include aesthetics surgery, aesthetics dentistry, skin beauty and TCM aesthetics.
Product safety mainly depends on national supervision, including pre-market and post-market supervision, as well as consumer supervision.
Pre-market supervision of products — before a product hits the market, it has to undergo multiple stringent and mandatory clinical trials spread across three phases. Only after successful qualification of the safety trials, can it be permitted to enter the market.
Post-market supervision of the product — in the past two years, the Chinese government has intensified its supervision of the medical aesthetics industry, enacting a large number of laws and regulations to prevent irregular products and institutions from disrupting the market, thus promoting the healthy development of the industry.
Consumer supervision — through constant consumer education by the government, associations, and manufacturers, consumers are now more aware and are paying greater attention to product compliance. Consumers can check the authenticity of products through product anti-counterfeiting measures and other methods to protect their own rights and interests.
What is your view on the future of China’s aesthetics industry and its impact on world medical aesthetics?
The academic level of Chinese aesthetic doctors has been recognised internationally, especially doctors working in university hospitals, who play a leading academic role.
China has a large base of beauty aspirants, and there is a rapidly growing pool of doctors in private hospitals who have rich experience in clinical treatment. With regard to the use of medical beauty products, more experience and consensus suitable for Asians can be put forward.
The development of Chinese medical aesthetics is also facing some difficulties. Some of these challenges include the administrative access to medical aesthetic drugs, materials, and equipment by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), which is very strict, and the cycle is long. There are higher thresholds, resulting in fewer products that can enter clinical practice. Some technologies that have been popularised internationally are currently difficult to implement here in China. Another difficulty is that irregularities in medical aesthetics in China still exist. Although the situation has improved in the past few years, it may take some more time to completely eliminate them. Also, the exchange between Chinese doctors and their international peers is still relatively limited, with language being a major barrier. I believe that AMWC China (Chengdu) will be a very good stage and window for our Chinese doctors to communicate with the world.
