Discounts on RF Beauty Devices in China

At the outset of 2024, RF beauty devices in China witnessed a significant reduction in prices. Brands that were once highly sought-after and commanded prices nearing 3000 yuan (approximately $428 USD, with 1 USD roughly equal to 7 yuan) just a few months prior are now being sold for as low as 600 yuan (approximately $86 USD). This abrupt price drop is directly linked to new regulations enforced by China concerning such products. Starting from April 2024, home-use RF beauty devices will be officially classified as Class III medical devices, thereby subjecting them to the highest level of regulation and control.

These regulations are part of the supervisory measures imposed by the National Medical Products Administration on RF beauty products: beginning April 1st of the same year, RF therapy devices and RF skin treatment devices lacking proper medical device registration certificates as per the law will be prohibited from production, import, and sale.

The necessity for stricter certifications for manufacturing these products inevitably incurs higher costs. Consequently, some businesses have opted to switch products and are currently liquidating their inventory. They have transitioned to producing LED light beauty devices, such as red light beauty devices, which are not subjected to the new regulations. Currently, common home beauty devices can generally be categorized into cleaning, ultrasonic vibration, LED light, and RF categories. Among these, RF beauty devices boasting "anti-aging" effects have been particularly popular, albeit with consistently high prices, with one device typically costing thousands of yuan.

Before the implementation of the new regulations, RF beauty devices were classified under the umbrella of small household appliances rather than being subjected to medical device standards. This classification has been closely linked to the disputable effectiveness of these devices. Some consumers who invested in home beauty devices found the actual results did not align with the advertised claims, with effects typically lasting only one or two days.

RF beauty products function by utilizing specific wavelengths of electromagnetic waves to stimulate the dermis layer, inducing high-frequency oscillations of water molecules within cells to generate heat. This process prompts collagen contraction within a safe range and stimulates the synthesis of new collagen. However, experts highlight that while beauty devices can induce temporary tightening effects by contracting collagen, achieving long-term results necessitates a fundamental increase in collagen production in skin cells. The power and penetration depth of home devices are considerably inferior to medical-grade devices, limiting their ability to significantly increase collagen production and produce lasting effects. Home beauty devices, compared to professional medical cosmetic equipment, often have smaller sizes, lower power, and thus compromised treatment efficacy.

It is anticipated that there will be a surge in LED light beauty products in the future, potentially accompanied by improvements in quality. It is crucial for consumers to maintain realistic expectations regarding the effectiveness of home beauty devices and strictly adhere to the instructions for use. For those with higher medical cosmetic needs, seeking treatment at reputable medical institutions is advisable.