ASDS: Dermatologists Remain the Primary Influencer for Patients’ Cosmetic Procedures, Skin Care Decisions

Excess weight on any part of the body named top cosmetic concern.

Board certified dermatologists hold the most sway when it comes to choosing a provider, cosmetic procedure, or skin care product, according to the 2023 American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) Consumer Survey on Cosmetic Dermatologic Procedures.

Consumers reported that the top factors influencing their provider selection include:

• Price (33%).
• Specialty (23%).
• Before-and-after photos (23%).
• Physician referral (22%).
• Friend referral (22%).
• Level of licensure (21%).

 Dermatologists were the No. 1 physician of choice in nine procedural categories including:

• Injectable wrinkle relaxers.
• Injectable fillers.
• Platelet rich plasma (new for 2023).
• Chemical peels.
• Microneedling (new for 2023).
• Vein treatments.
• Thread lifts (new for 2023).
• Micro-coring (new for 2023).
• Laser tattoo removal.

Fully 70% of consumers are considering a cosmetic procedure, citing the desire to “feel more confident;” “do something for / reward myself;” “appear more attractive;” or “look as young as I feel or better for my age,” the survey showed.  These top concerns have been consistent since 2019. Reasons consumers are waiting to have cosmetic procedures include cost; potential pain; concerns about side effects and safety (a new leading concern from previous years); and ability to obtain their desired results. 

Consumers rated the following cosmetic concerns as most bothersome:

• Excess weight on any part of the body (87%).
• Skin texture and/or discoloration (80%).
• Lines and wrinkles around and under the eyes (79%).
• Excess fat under the chin / neck (79%).
• Cellulite (72%) — new leading concern from previous years.

When it comes to cosmetic procedures, the top five most popular procedures being considered were:

• Laser hair removal (65%)
• Laser / energy-based devices for skin tightening and wrinkles (53%)
• Body sculpting (52%)
• Injectables wrinkle relaxers (49%)
• Laser / energy-based devices for skin tone, facial redness and scars (44%)

Survey respondents who had already undergone cosmetic procedures gave top satisfaction ratings (95% or higher) to vein treatments, wrinkle relaxers, laser tattoo removal, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, injectable fillers, and many newer procedures including platelet rich plasma, thread lifts and muscle sculpting.

Digital Influence
 

For the first time, social media platforms held the top three spots in digital resources for skin health decisions. More than half of consumers say a provider’s social media presence impacts their decision to schedule an appointment. Seventy three percent of consumers follow the social media account of the provider they are seeing or considering seeing, while 84% say rate and review websites impact their decision on choosing a cosmetic procedure provider. 

About the Survey

Data was obtained through a blind online survey fielded from May 11-30, 2023, by PureSpectrum market research service. The survey received 3,503 responses nationwide.