Covid-19 Era! The Medical Beauty Industry Experiences Growth

Since November 2019, the Covid-19 virus has rapidly spread globally to more than 120 countries and territories in a short period of months. Since the pandemic breakout, there are 170 million confirmed positive cases and the virus is not yet controlled. Different countries have adopted measures like evacuation, suspension of flights, and closing their borders. Taiwan has no precedent in history and has issued a red warning on the whole world’s tourism industry. As we see that the pandemic spreads fast, forcing many countries to self-isolate which has a serious effect on the global economy. The economic losses of the different industries are difficult to estimate. The governments of different countries immediately implemented economic stimulus and relief plans to lessen the rate of economic deterioration.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit all industries worldwide. Photo/taken from European Pressphoto Agency. 

As the pandemic spreads to different countries, tourism, travel, and the airline industry are the first to be affected. Large scale hotels have closed, factories worldwide have ceased operations affecting the global supply chain. Different industries are waiting and at the same time implementing measures like postponing activities, slowing down production, reducing the work force and giving unpaid leaves. The global market shows a conservative atmosphere. Because of the stay-at-home prevention measures like wearing masks, psychiatry and dermatology consultations have increased, and at the same time starts a wave of “cosmetic surgery”. [New Immigrants Global News Network] leads the readers in uncovering the secret of “Global Medical Beauty” as it emerges against current trend.

The pandemic cannot stop the beauty industry. Cosmetic surgery cases increase.

Many different industries globally are affected by the Covid-19 virus. The relevant government departments of different countries have focused their resources for their anti-pandemic activities.  The medical system is also facing a serious test. People are afraid of going to the hospitals and clinics for fear of being infected by the virus, resulting to fewer patients. However, the medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery industry is doing very well because of the wearing of masks and because of stay-at-home prevention measures. 

The medical beauty industry has a bright future as plastic surgery emerges globally. (Photo / Retrieved from European Pressphoto Agency) 

The spread of the pandemic has resulted into the closures of many businesses and business establishments. Medical institutions must implement control measures to prevent cluster infections, which unexpectedly contributed to the growth of the medical beauty industry. Like Germany and South Korea’s local medical aesthetics clinics which showed a reverse upward trend, resulting in many inquiries and appointments. Although clinics need to implement strict anti-covid and disinfection measures, they are happy to see the increase in customers. They are even giving discounts and benefits to attract more customers. These medical beauty customers wear masks for their protection and to cover their treated face while they rest to recover at home and restore their golden era.

The CECC announced on June 7 the second extension of the nationwide level 3 alert which caused the Taiwan people to experience the psychological stress which the European and American countries had last year. Events have been postponed and cancelled, and many hosts, models, etc. are on vacation and they take this opportunity to get aesthetic medical treatment. Office workers are also using their unpaid leaves to get appointments for aesthetic treatments. Taking advantage of this period of less outside exposure and contact to get their aesthetic treatments to come out beautiful after the pandemic.

Germany is on lockdown but the plastic surgery industry is stable

Since March 2021, the daily positive covid-19 cases in Germany continues to rise, which shows that the spread of the covid-19 virus in Europe is accelerating and is in the third wave of the pandemic.  In considering the risks brought about by the Alpha variant of the virus, the government has extended the lockdown. The New Corona pandemic has slowed down in Germany, the government assessment of the pandemic is based on “the number of infections per 100,000 people in the past week” as a standard. The 16 German states now have less than 50 cases based on this standard, which shows that the pandemic has slowed down. As of now, 17% of the German population has been vaccinated.  

The epidemic in Germany is stabilizing, and around 17% of the total population has been vaccinated. (Photo / Retrieved from the European Pressphoto Agency) 

During the pandemic, business in Germany was down, and only a few industries were up, and one of these is the medical aesthetics industry. Lockdown rules have caused many citizens to become fat because they were not allowed to travel, but they were able to save. They had to wear masks and they were concerned about their eyes, which was good for the medical aesthetics industry. Prof. Dennis von Heimburg, a doctor and medical aesthetic practitioner for 28 years, pointed out that there was a cosmetic surgery wave during the pandemic which benefited the medical aesthetics industry.

German Medical Aesthetics Industries confirmed that demand for plastic surgery is increasing because of the impact of the epidemic lockdown on people's lives. (Photo / Retrieved from the European Pressphoto Agency)

In fact, in early 2019, there have been many Germans who went for medical beauty treatments. Whether it is surgery for breast or nose improvement, or for Botox injection, there was an 8% increase from previous years, reaching 83,000. In 2020, this number may reach 100,000 (the population of Germany is 83 million in 2020). After the outbreak of the pandemic, many Germans have gained weight due to less exercise and because of work from home and from lockdown measures.  Because of this, the demand for medical aesthetics treatment have increased because of the pandemic.

South Korean face masks create opportunities for cosmetic surgery

South Korea has always been the most developed country in the world of cosmetic surgery and the pandemic did not slow down this trend. There are new incentives for people who have need for cosmetic surgery. Because of this, South Korean was the global capital of medical aesthetic industry even in the pre-pandemic period. During the pandemic, South Koreans had to wear face masks which coincidentally is the best cover for surgery marks, which makes the local medical aesthetics industry a beneficiary of the pandemic. In addition, as the South Korean government announced the start of vaccinations, many citizens rush to get their plastic surgery treatments before face masks are no longer required.

South Korea is officially named the "Capital of Plastic Surgery". (Photo / Retrieved from Yonhap News Agency) 

Wearing face masks properly has been the standard covid protection for all citizens. Aside from the nose, lips etc. which can be covered by the face mask, the neck, the eyes and other parts have been the popular choices for cosmetic surgery. These visible parts have become the “the new crown era”, which becomes the standard for beauty and ugliness. South Korea is the “global cosmetic surgery capital of the world”, and although the pandemic has prevented foreigner customers from coming to South Korea for medical aesthetic surgeries, the pandemic has not prevented the local Koreans to pursue beauty through cosmetic surgery. This will help the growth of this industry in 2021.

Based on South Korea’s biggest online medical beauty platform (Gangnam Unni) estimate, the total value of the medical beauty industry in 2020 is about 10.7 billion US dollars, an increase of 9.2% over the same period in 2019, and the total value in 2021 is around 11.8 billion US dollars. Many Koreans have used the government subsidies in medical hospitals and clinics, which increased the revenues of medical institutions in the third and fourth quarter of 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic created depressed emotions, and beauty lovers have used this spending as retaliation.

Taiwan’s lockdown rules slows down the quest for beauty

During the pandemic, the CECC suggests postponing non-emergency treatments, like health check-ups, cosmetic surgery, physical therapy, occupational therapy as well as non-urgent surgeries of check-ups. Taiwan’s medical aesthetic industry cooperates with the CECC anti-covid measures. Although revenues are not significantly higher than Germany or South Korea, the medical aesthetic industry in Taiwan is one of the least affected by the pandemic. Compared to the restaurant and tourism industries, there are still local citizens who pursue beauty and health through medical aesthetic clinics which makes the business situation stable.

The Medical Aesthetics Industries of Taiwan are not as affected by the epidemic. (Photo / Retrieved from Central News Agency) 

Taiwan has activated the level 3 alert, the pandemic continues with outbreaks, the temperature is increasing, and because the citizens need to wear face masks in the humid heat, skin problems and acne inflammations are common. This is a big problem for those who want to stay beautiful. Some take the opportunity to undergo micro-surgeries while they need to wear face masks. They are also concerned with getting a safe consultation without going to big hospitals which are high risk environments. Video diagnosis and treatment is a safe option for cosmetic surgeries and micro-surgeries initial or return consultations.  

With the development of the domestic pandemic situation, the quality of medical aesthetic clinics has continuously improved. Like the changing of the bed covers of the treatment beds, thorough cleaning of instruments, and other anti-covid measures. Many people worry about the visible post-surgery swelling and redness, but with the wearing of the face masks, beauty treatments have increased. Some students undergo male breast surgery during the summer and winter vacation since there is no school.  Returning Taiwanese businessmen with busy schedule and short vacations, and patients who do not have enough time for recovery due to international flight restrictions, have helped increase the number of clinic visits.  

The new covid-19 pandemic situation is severe and the danger of the virus cannot be underestimated. Aesthetic clinics need to implement their anti-covid measures like checking customers health cards and passports, to confirm the entry and exit records within 14 days. Those who go to hospitals need to have their temperature taken, wear their masks, and disinfect their hands. If urgent, one may choose to do video consultation to lessen the risk of infection. In the new corona era, choose hospitals with complete anti covid measures for beauty treatments, take the opportunity to recover during this period and come out with a new look after the pandemic.