MERZ AESTHETICS REVEALS GLOBAL DATA ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN CONFIDENCE, SELF-AFFIRMATION AND AESTHETIC TREATMENTS

Graphic: Merz Aesthetics

New Research Suggests that People Seek Aesthetic Treatments to Align Inner Self with Outward Appearance

RALEIGH, N.C., Jan 31 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — Merz Aesthetics, the world’s largest dedicated medical aesthetics business, today announced the findings of its inaugural global study, Pillars of Confidence: Global Insights on Aesthetics and Self-AffirmationThe study explored the role confidence plays in daily life and overall well-being, as well as the connection between our internal selves and outward expression.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250129954824/en/

As part of its Confidence to Be platform, Merz Aesthetics surveyed 15,000 adults from around the world who have had an aesthetic treatment in the past or are open to having one in the near future. The Pillars of Confidence study revealed that a global majority of study participants have a strong sense of self-confidence, with 72% agreeing with the statement, “I am confident in who I am.”

The findings of the Pillars of Confidence study also link external appearance to internal self-concept. When it comes to aesthetic treatments specifically, 73% of respondents reported saying they feel “empowered” after having an aesthetic treatment, 69% seek aesthetic treatments to reflect how they feel inside and 72% said that aesthetic treatments impact how they view themselves.

Conducted in partnership with Ipsos*, one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, the Pillars of Confidence study engaged 15,000 adults aged 21 to 75** from 15 countries. Participating regions and countries included:

  • Asia-Pacific: China, South Korea, Thailand
  • Europe, the Middle East & Africa: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates
  • Latin America: Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico
  • North America: United States, Canada

“Since becoming a standalone global business nearly five years ago, Merz Aesthetics has been committed to our purpose of fueling confidence by helping people look better, feel better and live better. We believe in the importance of feeling confident and what makes you feel like the best version of yourself—however you define it,” said Bob Rhatigan, CEO, Merz Aesthetics. “Our Pillars of Confidence research shows what we anecdotally knew to be true—that aesthetic treatments appear to do more than just enhance our appearance; they can help people feel empowered and support their self-confidence journey.”

“The Pillars of Confidence data shows how aesthetic treatments enable patients to take an active role in aligning their self-perception with their outward appearance,” said Dr. Shannon Humphrey, cosmetic dermatologist, medical director at Humphrey & Beleznay Cosmetic Dermatology and clinical associate professor at the University of British Columbia. “As a physician, I see this impact every day. These insights can help us better understand and support our patients as they work toward personal empowerment, which ultimately enhances the care we provide.”

Whether it’s the things we say, the people we surround ourselves with, or our choices around aesthetic treatments, Merz Aesthetics believes that every person’s journey to look, feel and live their best is unique. With a purpose to fuel confidence worldwide, Merz Aesthetics hopes that the data-backed insights of the Pillars of Confidence study will inspire meaningful conversations that enable even more people to celebrate being their authentic selves, both inside and out.

For more information on the Pillars of Confidence study and to download a full report of the findings, please visit www.merzaesthetics.com/confidence.

*Merz Aesthetics. (2025). Pillars of Confidence: Global Insights on Aesthetics and Self-Affirmation. Supported by research partner Ipsos.

**Age range in Asia-Pacific region was 21 to 65.

About Merz Aesthetics

Merz Aesthetics is a medical aesthetics business with a long history of empowering health care professionals, patients and employees to live every day with confidence. We aim to help people around the world look, feel and live like the best versions of themselves — however they define it. Clinically proven, its product portfolio includes injectables, devices and skin care treatments designed to meet each patient’s needs with high standards of safety and efficacy. Being family owned for more than 115 years, Merz Aesthetics is known for building unique connections with customers who feel like family. Merz Aesthetics’ global headquarters is in Raleigh, N.C., USA, with a commercial presence in 90 countries worldwide. It is also a part of Merz Group, which was founded in 1908 and is based in Frankfurt, Germany. Learn more at merzaesthetics.com.

© 2025 Merz North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Merz, Merz Aesthetics and the Merz Aesthetics Confidence To Be Logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Merz Pharma GmbH & Co. KGaA in the U.S. and/or certain other countries.

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Contact

Media Contact
Merz Aesthetics
Global Corporate Communications
6501 Six Forks Road, Raleigh NC 27615
919-302-3296
media@merz.com

Source : Merz Aesthetics

TRANSNATIONAL SPRING FESTIVAL GALA MELODY OF SPRING 2025 HELD IN NANNING

NANNING, China, Jan 27, 2025 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

As the hearts of people around the world are closely connected, they gather together in celebration of the New Year’s reunion. With the arrival of the Year of the Snake, the Melody of Spring 2025 Transnational Spring Festival Gala, co-hosted by the Nanning Municipal Government Information Office, the Nanning Foreign Affairs Office, and the Nanning International Communication Center, is being held in Nanning, capital city of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

The Transnational Spring Festival Gala, themed “Crossing Mountains and Seas to Celebrate the New Year, Reuniting in Harmony and Joy,” brings together the festive spirit and the essence of diverse cultures, using aesthetic beauty to evoke deep emotional resonance.
 
The gala is structured into four key chapters: Spring, Warmth, Flower, and Bloom, conveying the themes of new beginnings, the warmth of home, the romance of love, and openness and unity respectively.

The gala highlights the charm of traditional Chinese culture through the theme of “New Year’s Flavor.” In the dance Ode to Landscape, the dancers’ movements embody the shapes of mountains and rivers, merging effortlessly with the virtual landscape on stage, vividly portraying the poetic beauty of Guangxi’s natural landscapes and cultural heritage. The instrumental ensemble pieces Dance of the Golden Snake and Cloud Palace Melody bridge the gap between traditional Chinese music, symphony, and electronic sounds, showcasing the harmonious beauty that arises from the fusion of different cultural influences. The opera dance New Year Painting breathes life into static paper, creating a mesmerizing artistic experience where reality and illusion intertwine. Meanwhile, the theatrical performance The Most Beautiful New Year Flavor presents an “international family” that, through a blend of song, dance, and drama, tenderly conveys the captivating essence of Chinese New Year traditions.

The enthusiastic participation of performers from ASEAN countries brought a unique energy and warmth to the gala. The Thai boy band PERSES ignites the atmosphere with their performance of BODY GUARD, unleashing a wave of youthful energy through their upbeat rhythms and vibrant dance moves. The song medley Hearts Connected across Mountains and Seas brought together iconic songs from Southeast Asia, offering a refreshing blend of exotic melodies that captivates the audience. The Sino-Vietnamese duet Love of Landscape not only reflects the deep bond between China and Vietnam, symbolizes by their shared mountains and rivers, but also highlights Nanning’s role as an international, open, and inclusive metropolis, fostering cooperation with ASEAN.

The gala also premieres Love·Ning, the theme song of the Singles Concert in Nanning, which stood out from over 100 songs submitted through a public recruitment process.

This year, the Transnational Spring Festival Gala expands its reach to Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Laos, filming special segments at satellite locations. Through captivating footage and performances that highlight the local charm of each region, the gala presents the joyous new year celebrations of people from diverse areas. It offers the audience a chance to experience the festive atmosphere and cultural richness of different countries and regions, all woven together in one spectacular event.

The Melody of Spring 2025 Transnational Spring Festival Gala is set to premiere on January 27, 2025, at 20:30 on Nanning Radio and Television Station’s News Comprehensive Channel. Subtitles will be available in English, Lao, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Thai, with the event being broadcast across approximately 48 media platforms in 16 countries and regions, including Lao National Television, Myanmar National Television, Philippine National Television, Cambodia National Television, and Hanoi Television in Vietnam.

The gala is attended by officials from central news media based in Guangxi, major regional media outlets, representatives from several universities in the area, and relevant departments of Nanning. Also present were the Consul General of Thailand in Nanning, the Consul General of Vietnam in Nanning, and officials from the consulates of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Malaysia in Nanning.

Source: Nanning International Communication Center

–BERNAMA

SAUDI ARABIA CALLS FOR GLOBAL COLLABORATION TO FOSTER SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AT WEF

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 (Bernama) — At the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed A. Al-Khateeb emphasised the critical role of the travel and tourism sector in shaping global economies and urged leaders to focus on collaborative solutions.

Saudi Arabia welcomed nearly 30 million international visitors in 2024, contributing almost five per cent to its gross domestic product (GDP), according to a statement.

Speaking in dedicated WEF sessions, the minister highlighted the Kingdom’s significant growth in tourism since the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, stressing the importance of building a resilient, diversified tourism ecosystem.

With global tourism fully recovering to pre-pandemic levels in 2024, Minister Ahmed underscored the need for a sustainable approach that balances economic growth with social and environmental responsibility.

During WEF discussions, he participated in panels focused on mobilising diversified sector growth and enhancing global collaboration to propel the travel and tourism sector to keep up with growing demand.

The Minister shared the stage with distinguished leaders, including Albania Prime Minister Edi Rama, European Commissioner for Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Switzerland Tourism Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Martin Nydegger, and Trip.com CEO Jane Sun, who all shared his sentiment on the need for further global collaboration.

Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s forward-thinking tourism strategy, the Ministry of Tourism also launched the “Hospitality Investor White Paper” during the forum, aiming to attract US$11 billion in private investments, contribute US$4 billion to GDP, and create 1.6 million jobs by 2030. (US$1=RM4.37)

Minister Ahmed also contributed insights to WEF’s “The Future of Travel and Tourism: Embracing Sustainable and Inclusive Growth”, highlighting the need for sustainable travel and ensuring benefits for local communities.

Saudi Arabia’s active role at WEF reinforces its vision to become a leading hub for sustainable and inclusive tourism under Vision 2030.

— BERNAMA

FROM K-DRAMAS TO MANILA: EGGDROP LANDS WITH A SIZZLE IN THE PHILIPPINES

The iconic K-drama sandwich is now in Manila! Fresh ingredients and Korean recipes ignite a food revolution.

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan 22 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — EGGDROP (CEO Young-woo Noh), Korea’s premium egg sandwich brand, opened its first Philippine store in SM Mall of Asia, Manila’s iconic shopping hub. The launch was met with a great popularity.

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Egg-citement at SM Mall of Asia
EGGDROP’s first Filipino store capitalizes on a high-traffic location that caters to a diverse audience. Fans eagerly sampled signature offerings such as the Chicken Club Sandwich, Avo Holic, and Mr. Egg. Waves of enthusiastic diners were followed by overwhelmingly positive reviews.

From K-Dramas to Filipino Plates

Stuart Wong, head of EGGDROP Philippines, said, “Watching EGGDROP featured in the Korean drama Hospital Playlist made me want to share this experience with Filipinos.” Han Kyu-won, head of design and operations at EGGDROP, added, “With a young population and rising middle class, the Philippines is the perfect market, especially as Hallyu culture continues to gain momentum.”

Instagram-Worthy Sandwiches Take Over Social Media

EGGDROP’s aesthetic took over the social media. Comments like “The best toast I’ve ever had!” and “One bite and I’m in heaven!” flooded Instagram, boosting virality and foot traffic.

Local Flavor with Global Quality

EGGDROP’s commitment to quality and local partnerships sets it apart. “We’ve ensured that the iconic taste of EGGDROP is preserved by maintaining the highest standards, using local supply chains to guarantee freshness while supporting Filipino farmers,” said Han. The brioche buns are crafted with EGGDROP’s Korean recipe, while organic eggs and other key ingredients are locally sourced to create a perfect blend of Korean and Filipino influences.

A Global Food Revolution

With fresh ingredients and innovative design, EGGDROP remains a leading K-food brand. Han revealed plans for a second store in Bonifacio Global City by early 2025, as the brand accelerates its expansion across Asia.

Stuart Wong summed up the opening: “The joy of taking that first bite of an EGGDROP sandwich is unforgettable. We’re thrilled to finally bring this perfect sandwich to Filipinos.”

EGGDROP Overview

Egg Makes Better, EGGDROP.
EGGDROP is a premium egg sandwich brand inspired by “complete food” eggs which cook a healthy meal around scrambled eggs made with A+ grade eggs and fresh ingredients. Currently, EGGDROP is the leading business and incubating various other brands.

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Contact

EGGDROP Corp.
Operation Team
Woojin Jeon
contact@eggdrop.com

Source : EGGDROP Corp.

–BERNAMA

NEOVIVA, SWITZERLAND’S FIRST ADDICTION CLINIC OFFERING GUARANTEE

LUCERNE, Switzerland, Jan 21 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Neoviva, a leading luxury rehab centre launches Switzerland’s first and only assurance programme in addiction treatment. With a structured and tailored approach, Neoviva’s programme addresses the unique needs of each client, blending cutting-edge therapeutic methods with comprehensive aftercare. The Neoviva Guarantee is a testament to the effectiveness of their personalised Signature Programme and reflects confidence in the programme’s ability to help clients achieve sustainable recovery.

“Our track record speaks for itself, with countless success stories of lasting recovery. The Neoviva Guarantee is our way of putting action behind our words. We’re so convinced of our programme’s efficacy that we’re willing to stand by our clients long after they leave our facility. This isn’t just treatment; it’s a lifelong partnership in recovery,” states Fenina Erpf, CEO and Co-Founder of NEOVIVA, alongside Oliver Neubert, Founder of NEOVIVA.

Clients who complete a minimum of six weeks of Neoviva’s Signature programme and adhere to the 30-week continuing care plan are eligible for the Guarantee. Should a client relapse within one year of completing the programme, they may return for up to four weeks of additional intensive treatment at no extra cost.*

Nestled on the tranquil shores of Lake Lucerne, NEOVIVA’s luxury rehab facility blends world-class care with an exclusive and serene environment. Housed within a real-life hotel setting, our clinic offers the perfect balance of comfort, privacy, and discretion, ensuring a supportive space for recovery. This unique setting empowers clients with the tools and strategies needed to navigate life beyond treatment, all while immersed in the breathtaking beauty of the Swiss Alps.

About Neoviva:

Neoviva is a luxury rehab centre in Switzerland that offers personalised treatment plans for mental health and addiction treatment. With pioneering methodologies, a high staff-to-client ratio, and a commitment to profound personal transformation, Neoviva is more than a rehab centre—it is a life-changing experience for those seeking lasting recovery.

*Terms and conditions apply.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at 
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/22e5d7be-00e5-4d4c-9f88-fde0ffc48718

For more information, please contact:

Fenina Erpf

CEO & Co-Founder

fenina.erpf@neoviva.com

6354 Vitznau

Switzerland

Phone: +41 58 100 08 00

SOURCE: NEOVIVA AG

–BERNAMA