Objective To explore the effect of 3D digital scanning system teaching mode in the teaching of Cosmetic Surgery. Methods A total of 66 students majoring in Medical Aesthetics Technology of Grade 2023 from Guangdong Food and Drug Vocational College, recruited from September 2024 to January 2025, were selected as the research subjects. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the control group (33 students) and the observation group (33 students). The control group implemented the traditional demonstration teaching mode, and the observation group implemented the 3D digital scanning system teaching mode. The assessment results (practical training assessment score, final exam score, total score) and teaching satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Results The practical training assessment score, final exam score and total score of the observation group were higher than those of the control group (P <0.05). The rates of all dimensions of teaching satisfaction in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P <0.05). Conclusion The 3D digital scanning system teaching mode can effectively improve the practical skills and theoretical scores of students majoring in Medical Aesthetics Technology, and has high teaching satisfaction, which has been widely recognized by students.