Unable to develop his abs the natural way, a Chinese influencer spent over half a million dollars on hundreds of hyaluronic acid shots to build himself a fake 8-pack.

The fashion and beauty content creator who uses the name Andy Hao Tienan on social media recently shocked his fans by revealing that 20 per cent of his body contains hyaluronic acid. The young influencer went viral last month when he spent four million yuan ($562,000) to have 40 doses of acid injected into his shoulders, collarbones, chest, and abdomen.

“I totally agree that muscles do not grow on cowards,” Hao Tienan said. “But you have to understand, I have had so many injections. I am no coward anymore. Could you dare to do the same? If my abs have not disappeared in three years, I will apply to Guinness for the longest-lasting artificial abs made of hyaluronic acid record. I will do a live-stream cracking walnuts on my abs for everyone to see.”

“You never get any muscle swelling, it is just how I like it. A lot of people say the hyaluronic acid will dissolve in a few months, and doctors say it might shift or clump together,” the Chinese influencer added. “It actually looks more natural and better over time. Even the lines between the abs are still distinct, and they have not merged into a single lump.”

However, experts warn that Andy Hao Tienan’s commitment to hyaluronic acid injections could have very serious long-term consequences, like bone erosion, blood vessel necrosis, weakening of the natural muscles, and acid pouch displacement.

Hao doesn’t plan on letting anyone discourage him from reaching his goal of 10,000 hyaluronic acid injections. He claims he has already achieved 40 percent of this ambitious goal. His fake 8-pack is believed to be the first of its kind in China.

Although some see Andy Hao Tienan as an inspiration, because he found a way to look fit without actually putting in the work, many point out that simply maintaining this fake fit look requires frequent hyaluronic acid injections, which is far less cost-effective than maintaining the results long-term through natural fitness.