They could just implement cloning, like Tabula? I never actually used the cloning system in Tabula but I hear it's similar to what is being proposed here. Since Aion is Sci-fi/fantasy (is it still?), I don't see the problem
Personally though, I see my character as it's own entity and I couldn't bring myself to change their gender, especially since I make up stories about them ect.. A hairdresser and tattoo artist would be very cool and almost necessary at this point, since other major mmo's have them, you need them too. Or maybe that's flawed logic, it still seems to be true since every game emulates each other.