IMCI 2018: Medical Aesthetics Consumption Upgrade in the Era of Comprehensive Aesthetic Medicine

In traditional consumer mindsets, behaviors centered on “good quality at low prices,” pragmatism, and cost-effectiveness have long prevailed. In recent years, however, rising living standards among the Chinese population have spurred a new wave of “consumption upgrading”: product portfolios are being refreshed, niche products are gaining popularity, and the share of experience-driven consumption is increasing. Consumers now place greater emphasis on the quality of their purchasing experiences and the core value delivered by products and services.

Amid the broader trend of consumption upgrading, the medical aesthetics industry has entered a phase of “metabolic renewal”... ...

In just one minute, 26-year-old Ms. Zhou obtained a detailed skin analysis report using the Chang’e intelligent robot, which provided comprehensive data analysis on her primary concerns, such as wrinkles and skin whitening. As technology becomes more widespread, artificial intelligence has permeated various sectors, including the medical aesthetics industry, which has traditionally relied on in-person clinic visits.

Over the past two years, the medical aesthetics industry has shifted toward emphasizing technical expertise, management capabilities, customer relationship maintenance, and consumer experience. All these changes point to the need for the industry to provide users with more professional and long-term services. AI-assisted diagnosis is moving toward the patient end, enabling self-assessment and guiding patients to register more accurately or choose suitable doctors.

Although technological powerhouses such as the United States and the United Kingdom are still at an introductory stage in artificial intelligence, this presents significant business opportunities for Chinese startups. For instance, the debut of the Chang'e Robot signals that the future medical aesthetics industry will shift towards technology-driven aesthetic medicine, where competitive advantage is derived from technological innovation. Artificial intelligence is poised to play a prominent role in the field of medical aesthetics.

According to statistics from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), in 2015, China recorded 1.7 aesthetic surgical procedures per 1,000 people, significantly lower than South Korea’s nearly 14 procedures per 1,000 people. China’s medical aesthetics industry is experiencing compound annual growth exceeding 15%, making it a vibrant and promising market.

Rapid Growth in Consumer Demand, Yet Potential Safety Risks in Medical Aesthetics Cannot Be Overlooked.

Research has revealed a growing disparity between risks, the rapidly expanding user base, and the increasing demand for aesthetic enhancements. Consumers increasingly prefer accredited medical institutions or platforms that offer guaranteed safety, aiming to minimize potential surgical risks to the greatest extent possible. On the other hand, medical institutions and platforms are equally eager to optimize customer experience and refine every aspect of their services, thereby enhancing brand reputation and gaining a competitive edge in the fiercely contested medical aesthetics market.

Quantum Bao, an internet insurance technology company dedicated to scenario-based risk research, professional solutions, and data mining value, has entered into a deep strategic partnership with JD Medical Aesthetics Hub. This collaboration aims to provide customized insurance plans for medical aesthetics users and may serve as a beneficial exploration of deeper integration between the medical aesthetics and insurance industries.

Against this backdrop, the “2018 International Medical Aesthetics Industry Innovation Forum (IMCI)” will be grandly held in Shanghai on April 27–28, 2018. More than 600 senior representatives from upstream medical aesthetics suppliers, hospital representatives, private institutions, consumer finance companies, medical aesthetics O2O enterprises, and medical aesthetics marketing firms will gather at IMCI 2018. They will engage in discussions centered on four key themes: “Medical Aesthetics Operations Management and Industry Development,” “New Technologies and New Developments in Medical Aesthetics,” “Consumer Finance and Insurance in Medical Aesthetics,” and “Medical Aesthetics Marketing in the Internet Plus Era.” Together, they will explore how to seize new opportunities amid consumption upgrading and jointly build a new ecosystem for the medical aesthetics industry. How can you afford to miss such a prestigious event?