RealSelf Editorial Standards & Ethics

You can trust RealSelf content to be unbiased, factual, and medically accurate. Here's why.


Our content standards

These principles guide our entire approach to editorial content development and publishing. 

  • Consumer-first: We put consumers’ best interests above all else. Your cosmetic procedure journey is personal, and our content is here to help you make smart, informed, and confident decisions every step of the way. 

  • Objective: We take a balanced approach to covering medical aesthetics by seeking out leading expert perspectives, conducting in-depth research, and presenting all sides—the pros and the cons—of every procedure, free of bias or spin. We don’t sensationalize, fall for marketing hype, or push our readers to have a procedure (or not). On the other hand, we do not shy away from covering controversies, safety concerns, and procedure downsides, so you can be better informed in the decision-making process. 

  • Accurate: You can expect us to give you unbiased facts and answers, backed up with data, clinical studies, doctor insights, and real patient experiences. 

  • Data-driven: Consumer insights make our content uniquely helpful. We dig into the data to find what’s relevant and share it.

  • Personal: Our content is written by real people, for people. We bring the facts to life with first-person experiences and insights, translating complex medical concepts into the kind of easy-to-understand explanation we’d give to a friend.


Our editorial team

Our team of writers and editors consists of journalists who have significant experience covering the plastic surgery, cosmetic treatment, and wider beauty industries. 

We share a passion for seeking out leading healthcare providers and experts with diverse and varied opinions, so we can empower consumers with medically accurate information.


Our expert sources

We adhere to strict journalistic standards for sources in RealSelf News articles, procedure guides, and other editorial content. 

  • We rely on interviews with plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and other qualified doctors (including those who are not RealSelf sponsors); peer-reviewed medical studies; data reports; statements from the FDA; and surgical societies. 

  • The doctors featured in our content have valid medical licenses and the appropriate board certification to perform the procedure they are quoted about. We reach out to independent experts who can give unbiased insights. 

  • All data points and treatment claims are backed up by at least one reputable source, linked within the content, and any potential conflicts of interest (like manufacturer underwriting of cited studies) are disclosed. We’re transparent about which claims have been clinically proven and which are merely anecdotal, in the experience of providers or patients. 

  • We also offer unique insights from RealSelf community members and other real patients who have personally experienced a procedure. Reviews quoted in our content have been vetted by the RealSelf Moderation team, to ensure that the reviewer has no conflicts of interest. 

  • No source—whether a provider, patient, or other expert—is compensated for participating in our content.


Our editorial process and medical reviews 

Every piece of content authored by the RealSelf editorial team is written and edited by experts in plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures, rigorously researched, and fact-checked for accuracy. 

Procedure overviews go through an additional round of medical review by doctors who have the proper training, experience, and board certifications to ensure that they’re experts in the procedure. Their name is cited at the top of the page. 

Any ads on our content are clearly labeled as “sponsored,” “advertisement,” or “ad,” so you can easily spot what’s been underwritten by brands or providers. 

We hold sponsored content to similarly high editorial standards, ensuring that the information is medically accurate and informative, not simply a sales pitch. 


Corrections and content quality updates 

Our editorial team regularly monitors the industry for news, treatment advancements, emerging concerns about side effects, and other information that impacts consumers. 

We routinely update our articles and site content, to make sure it reflects the most current research, answers consumer questions, and remains free of outdated or incomplete information. 

If you find a statement you believe is inaccurate, submit a correction request.


Questions about our editorial process? You can reach us at contactus@realself.com.