What is RealSelf.com
RealSelf.com is an unbiased community to get the real story about any type of cosmetic treatment
Our goal is to help people get useful information about products and services that address everything from acne scars and unwanted body fat to stretch marks and crooked teeth.
- Over 300 cosmetic treatments are discussed on RealSelf.com, covering popular topics in cosmetic surgery, dermatology, facial plastic surgery, laser eye surgery, and cosmetic dentistry.
- The beauty concerns expressed on RealSelf.com reflect important, often expensive decisions that carry emotional and potential physical risks. To give a full perspective on these considerations, RealSelf offers 3 core means of to get informed and exchange information: ask, share and find.
Ask a doctor
Anyone considering a cosmetic treatment can ask a doctor a free question—or read over 43,000 answers—submitted by our 750+ active medical experts in the community. Responses provided by board-certified plastic surgeons and dermatologists, and specialists in facial plastic surgery, eye surgery and cosmetic dentistry are entirely done so on a voluntary, unpaid basis.
Share an experience
Read detailed, first-hand accounts by real people who've undergone a treatment or procedure. Postings include before and after photos, videos and diaries of the experience. Treatments are rated on whether it was worth it, how much it cost, and the pain experienced. Treatments are ranked in our Was It Worth It index.
Find a doctor
RealSelf offers a directory of local pages that list board-certified doctors who are pre-screened, core aesthetic specialists. RealSelf Local includes a synopsis of community activity for the locations, such as what New Yorkers say about Rhinoplasty or how Angelenos rate Invisalign braces. Doctors shown in local pages are displayed according to their level of activity in the community.
Inspiration behind RealSelf.com
340,000 hotel reviews about the towels, none about laser treatments before RealSelf.com
Tom Seery founded RealSelf.com after his friend pointed out that it was easier to get informed about hotel towel quality using sites like TripAdvisor.com than finding consumer opinion about a $2,000 laser skin treatment. Our team is passionate about closing this information gap by creating an authentic forum to share opinions and experiences, much in the way consumer review sites have done so for travelers, movie goers, and book buyers.
Company Facts
Founded: 2006
Location: Seattle, WA
Business: Privately held corporation
Revenue Model: We make money by selling advertising, not pay-to-play or lead generation
Investors: Completed two rounds of financing led by Second Avenue Partners. Other investors include Richard Barton and angel investors in Seattle, Boston and the Bay Area
Guidelines and Policies: In addition to our privacy and advertising policies, we maintain comprehensive community guidelines and doctor listing criteria
Get involved – it's free and easy
- Members benefit from viewing doctor recommendations and getting full access to RealSelf.com. Join now
- Are you a cosmetic dentist or board-certified plastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon, or dermatologist? Get a free profile
- Undergone any cosmetic treatment or procedure? Write a review