Before an injection, thread lift or surgery, check two things: that the facility's license lists “medical cosmetology” (医疗美容), and that the person doing it is the attending physician

Cost

Free. Checking these two documents takes a few minutes. The facility should display its Medical Institution Practice License (《医疗机构执业许可证》) in the lobby. The doctor's credentials can be checked against the licensed physician lookup of the health department.

What you get

Article 2 of the Measures for the Administration of Medical Cosmetology Services (《医疗美容服务管理办法》) defines medical cosmetology. The original reads: “the repair and reshaping of a person's appearance and the form of parts of the body using surgery, drugs, medical devices and other medical techniques that are traumatic or invasive.” In plain terms, anything that breaks the skin, puts in a needle or goes into the body counts as medical treatment. Articles 8 and 24 require a facility to first obtain a Medical Institution Practice License and have its medical cosmetology specialty approved by the registration authority before it can offer such services. If the license does not list “medical cosmetology,” it cannot do this. Article 11 requires the attending physician (the doctor who does the procedure) to hold a physician qualification and be registered. Those who do cosmetic surgery must also have 6 years or more of relevant clinical work, cosmetic dentistry 5 years or more, and cosmetic traditional Chinese medicine and cosmetic dermatology 3 years or more each. Article 20 requires that before the procedure, the indications, contraindications (when it is suitable and when it cannot be done), medical risks and precautions be explained in writing, and signed consent obtained. Article 336 of the Criminal Law (《刑法》) deals with illegal medical practice. Illegal medical practice means someone with no physician qualification giving injections, performing surgery or treating patients. In serious cases the penalty is imprisonment of up to 3 years, criminal detention or public surveillance, with a fine in addition or alone. For serious harm to the patient's health, 3 to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine. For causing the patient's death, 10 years or more of imprisonment and a fine.

Notes

Article 16 of the same Measures also provides that medical cosmetology items may be done only in cosmetic medical institutions, or in hospitals and clinics that have a medical cosmetology department. So house-call injections and private work in a studio are already out of compliance judging by location alone. Article 20 states that people who cannot yet decide for themselves, such as minors, need a guardian's consent and a parent's signature to have a medical cosmetic procedure. Facials, massage and manicures are lifestyle beauty services and are not governed by these rules. But once a needle or a knife is involved, it counts as medical cosmetology.

Evidence grade

A : Specific numbers from meta-analyses, large cohorts or randomized trials; for law and policy, the statute or official text.

Sources

1. 卫生部 (2002). 医疗美容服务管理办法（卫生部令第 19 号，第二条、第八条、第十一条、第十六条、第二十条、第二十四条）. http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2003/content_62198.htm
2. 全国人大 (1997). 刑法（第三百三十六条）. https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/201802/t20180206_364975.shtml

Translated from the Chinese original. Original book, section 28, tip 2. This section is about health and medicines. It is general information, not a substitute for a doctor’s diagnosis or prescription. Content may be out of date and rules differ by place. When you actually deal with an agency, a doctor or a court, follow what local officials, doctors and lawyers tell you. Disclaimer