People are paying to have their ears lengthened, to be thinner by imitating what are known as "elf ears".

The South China Morning Post reports that more and more people in China are seeking out clinics to undergo a procedure known as "elf ears."

The procedure is popular with men and women and is usually done in two ways: by taking cartilage from one part of the body and placing it behind the ear or by injecting hyaluronic acid.

The reason behind such a procedure has to do with the fact that people want their face to look thinner and younger.

"I dare say that behind this 'elf ear' trend, there will be an army of beauty seekers looking to get their original ears back, just like the famous internet nose, which was once popular." said Yu Wenlin, a physician at Gaoshang Cosmetic Medical Center in Guangzhou.

The plastic surgery market in China is growing and in a 2017 report, China was the second largest plastic surgery market in the World, after the US. This popularity of plastic surgery in China and throughout the Southeast Asian region can be attributed, among other factors, to the pressures of Western cultures.

Professional pressures are also a factor. For example, in some countries, including China and South Korea, people have to include photos when applying for jobs. Because of this, many individuals say they feel pressured to look their best and resort to plastic surgery to achieve what they call the "physical ideal."