In a shocking case of extreme body modification, Chinese social media influencer Andy Hao Tienan has made headlines by spending approximately 4 million yuan (around ₹3.3 crore or US$560,000) on multiple hyaluronic acid injections to create what he describes as "eight-pack" abs.
The Extreme Makeover Journey
Andy Hao Tienan claims to have already injected 40 doses of hyaluronic acid into his collarbones, shoulders, chest, and abdomen, with ambitions to eventually receive up to 10,000 injections in total. His social media profiles boldly state that approximately 20% of his body now contains the substance.
The influencer justified his unconventional approach by explaining that traditional exercise failed to deliver his desired muscular definition. "I totally agree that muscles do not grow on cowards," he stated, adding, "But I've had so many injections, I'm no coward anymore."
Medical Experts Sound Alarm Bells
Plastic surgeons and medical professionals are expressing serious concerns about the safety implications of such extreme procedures. Dr. Li Jialun, a plastic surgeon from Wuhan, warned that large-volume filler use of this magnitude carries significant risks including skin damage, blood-vessel necrosis, and bone erosion.
"While the muscles may look realistic when still, they will appear distorted during movement," Dr. Li explained, highlighting the unnatural results that such procedures can produce.
Understanding Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a sugar-based gel-like compound naturally present in skin, joints, and connective tissues. In standard cosmetic practice, HA fillers are injected beneath the skin to restore volume in areas like cheeks and lips, with approved moderate usage guidelines.
What makes Andy Hao's case particularly concerning is the unprecedented volume, unusual injection locations (abdomen, chest, shoulders), and the intention to simulate defined muscle tissue rather than addressing volume loss. Essentially, instead of building muscle through weight training, this approach involves injecting filler above the muscle to create artificial light-and-shadow effects that mimic abdominal definition.
Serious Health Risks Identified
Medical literature identifies several critical risks associated with large-volume or unconventional HA filler applications:
Vascular occlusion and tissue necrosis: Accidental injection into arteries can cause ischemia (restricted blood flow), skin necrosis, and even blindness when facial vessels are affected.
Contour irregularities and migration: A 2024 medical review identified volume irregularity as the most common complication, with lumps, migration, and uneven contours potentially developing months after the procedure.
Overfilling syndrome and tissue exhaustion: Excessive filler can permanently stretch the overlying skin or alter its normal biomechanics. After the filler dissolves, the treated area may appear deflated or saggy.
Infection and immune reactions: Repeated procedures increase the risk of nodules, granuloma formation, and delayed inflammation, especially in non-sterile environments.
Despite these documented risks, the influencer claims his artificial abs appear more natural over time and aims for a Guinness World Record if the results last three years. However, medical experts note that most HA fillers used for facial volume are absorbed within 6-12 months, meaning maintaining trunk musculature definition would require repeated top-up procedures, thereby amplifying the associated health risks.
