New RealSelf Survey: Nearly Three in Five U.S. Women Do Not Know There Is a Difference Between Cosmetic Surgeons and Plastic Surgeons

SEATTLE, Aug. 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A new RealSelf survey conducted online by The Harris Poll¹ reveals 59 percent of women in the U.S. do not know there is a difference between a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon. Furthermore, more than eight in 10 women (84 percent) in the U.S. are unaware that medical professionals do not have to be board certified in plastic surgery to perform surgical cosmetic procedures such as rhinoplasty or breast augmentation.

The report also reveals that a growing number of women are seeking cosmetic treatments for the first time. More than one in four women in the U.S. (26 percent) are currently considering a cosmetic procedure, and nearly three-fourths of those women (73 percent) have never had one in the past. Interest is higher among young adults, with females ages 18–34 nearly two times more likely than those 35 and older to be considering a cosmetic procedure (37 percent vs. 21 percent).

"Medical aesthetics is a little like the Wild West, and unfortunately many consumers simply don't realize the lack of regulation," said RealSelf Chief Medical Editor Dr. Lara Devgan. "This study highlights some of the most common misconceptions and why it's so important to do your research. As nonsurgical treatments become more accessible and a wave of people seek procedures for the first time, patients must understand that it's crucial to use RealSelf to fact-check a doctor's credentials before booking a treatment."

How do Plastic Surgeons and Cosmetic Surgeons Differ?
More than half of women (59 percent) do not know there is a difference between a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon. Plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons do not receive the same level and duration of training after medical school. In order to be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, surgeons must have at least six years of residency training, while certification from the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery requires only one year. Furthermore, the American Board of Medical Specialties, which is one of the leading organizations overseeing physician board certification in the United States, recognizes the American Board of Plastic Surgery as an official board but not the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.

Women who have an annual household income of $75,000 or more are significantly more likely than those with a household income of less than $75,000 to know that a cosmetic surgeon is not the same as a plastic surgeon (63 percent vs. 54 percent).

Who is Allowed to Perform Surgical Cosmetic Procedures?
The findings also reveal widespread misunderstanding about the qualifications required to perform cosmetic surgery. More than eight in 10 women (84 percent) in the U.S. are unaware that medical professionals do not have to be board certified in plastic surgery to perform surgical cosmetic procedures like rhinoplasty or breast augmentation. More than half of women (55 percent) think medical professionals are required to be board certified and about one-third (29 percent) say they don't know. To add to the confusion, only about one in five (19 percent) women in the U.S. know that a licensed physician can advertise as a cosmetic surgeon, even if they have no formal training in plastic surgery.

Household income has a significant impact on how well women understand who is allowed to perform cosmetic surgeries. Women with annual household incomes below $75,000 are significantly less likely than those with household incomes over $75,000 to know that doctors are not required to be board certified in plastic surgery to perform surgical procedures (14 percent vs. 20 percent) and they are less likely to know that a licensed physician can advertise as a cosmetic surgeon, even if they have no formal training in plastic surgery (16 percent vs. 23 percent).

While confusion about credentials and qualifications is widespread, the report reveals that the majority of consumers still view the decision to move forward with a cosmetic procedure as a serious one.

Most Valuable Information: Patient Reviews, Provider's Education and Board Certification
U.S. women who have had or are considering a cosmetic procedure say patient reviews (67 percent) and a provider's education and board certification (66 percent) are the most valuable pieces of information when choosing a doctor for a cosmetic treatment or procedure. Least important is the provider's social media presence (14 percent).

Top Consumer Concerns: Cost, Complications, Finding a Provider
Among those who have had or are currently considering a cosmetic procedure, almost all (94 percent) have at least one concern related to the procedure. The top concern is paying for the procedure (64 percent), followed by fear of complications or a bad result (60 percent) and finding the right provider (51 percent).

These findings highlight some of the top challenges consumers face when considering a cosmetic procedure. To address these concerns, RealSelf launched RealSelf Verified^SM a first-of-its-kind program that makes it easier for consumers to shop for plastic surgeons and aesthetic providers. RealSelf Verified doctors must meet requirements confirmed by RealSelf, including proper medical licensing, high patient satisfaction ratings, responsive service and commitment to transparency. RealSelf also requires Verified doctors to provide the information most important to consumers on their profiles, including years of experience, hospital privileges, and whether they carry malpractice insurance. They are also required to have before and after photos of their most-performed procedures and list their active board certifications. For more information about RealSelf Verified, or to find a doctor near you, please visit www.realself.com/find.

To learn more about RealSelf data and trends, visit www.realself.com/blog.

About RealSelf
RealSelf is the leading online resource for people to learn and share experiences about cosmetic procedures and connect with the right doctors. Millions of people from around the world visit RealSelf each month to browse patient reviews, before and after photos, and medical experts' answers to discover which treatments and doctors live up to their promise of being "Worth It." From skincare to emerging nonsurgical technologies to highly considered cosmetic surgeries, RealSelf makes it easy to get the insights consumers need to make smart, confident decisions and find the right doctor. For more information, visit the RealSelf Blog and follow RealSelf on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

¹ Survey conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of RealSelf from April 24–26, 2019, among 1,262 U.S. adult women ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact RealSelf.

SOURCE RealSelf

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