Code of Conduct

At RealSelf, we’re cultivating a community where members feel safe sharing deeply personal experiences, photos, reviews, and opinions without fear of judgment. We also want you to be able to trust that the information you find here has been posted without bias or a hidden agenda.

The Code of Conduct outlines what we expect from you, and what you should expect from others. Still not sure if you’re following the rules? Check the RealSelf Terms of Service or ask us. Also, we reserve the right to modify these guidelines at any time without notification.

The RealSelf Community consists of consumers, Health Care Providers and RealSelf staff. All community members are treated equally under these guidelines.

RealSelf does not discriminate based on positive or negative views, or on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender orientation, disability or status.

Practice Mutual Respect

RealSelf hosts diverse discussions. We give community members space to share their opinions, debate issues, and support each other. Even when things get heated, we expect you to show respect for all members of the community.

Avoid Personal Attacks

Negative opinions and disagreements are fine, but it’s not appropriate to use RealSelf to bully, name-call or insult other community members. Follow the rules of good debating and address the issue, not the person.

Maintain the Security of Your Account

You are responsible for all activity that occurs through your RealSelf account.

Share Your Own Experience

Use RealSelf to share your own story and opinions. Don’t post duplicate content, share hearsay or gossip from others, or use the platform to rally support for a campaign or agenda (e.g. lawsuit or group action).

What’s Not Allowed:

Do not post on RealSelf:

• Medical advice
• Discussions of suicide, violence or self-harm, including self-administering procedures without a license to practice medicine
• Sexual content or unwelcome sexual attention toward others
• Profanity or inappropriate language
• Gratuitous nudity that’s irrelevant to the topic being discussed (e.g., bare breasts in a rhinoplasty review)
• Anything illegal (drug use, criminal activity, extortion, blackmail, threats, harassment, etc.)
• Third-party content, including copyrighted material or text, photos or video copied from another source
• Links to non-RealSelf web pages
• Contact information
• Anything for which the RealSelf website is not intended (e.g, spam, donation requests, offers to purchase surgery for another user, or buying and selling any products)

Report any of the above to our Customer Support team.

Avoid Conflicts of Interest

Unless otherwise directed, you may only use RealSelf as a consumer. (Using RealSelf as a Health Care Provider requires profile approval.)

Do not use RealSelf to promote your own interests or those of anyone you know, including family, friends, affiliates or employers. This includes both:

• Business interests - You or someone you know stands to gain additional business or money because of something you’ve posted.
• Personal interests - You or someone you know stands to gain an advantage in a medical or personal relationship because of something you’ve posted.

In short, do not post if you or someone you know stands to gain anything from your post.

Health Care Provider Code of Conduct

In addition to the Code of Conduct above, these additional guidelines apply to Health Care Providers on RealSelf:

Maintain Professionalism

Health Care Providers are expected to maintain professionalism at all times on RealSelf. Do not bully or post disparaging comments about community members, other Health Care Providers, or RealSelf.

Comply with HIPAA

Do not post any content that violates HIPAA or other applicable health-privacy laws. Consider the privacy and safety of all community members before posting.

Follow Our Photo & Video Guidelines

All uploaded photos and videos must adhere to these guidelines.

Conflicts of Interest

Endorsements

Clearly explain any conflicts of interest, including products, brands and research funded by third parties. For example, if you are receiving money from a brand whose product you endorse, clearly define this relationship in all relevant posts.

Reviews

You may not solicit or receive reviews from anyone with a personal or professional bias. This includes past and present employees, colleagues and family members. You also may not use third-party services to collect and post reviews on behalf of community members.

Ask your doctor advisor about using Patient Engage to help you obtain reviews from consumers who have received a treatment or procedure from your practice.

Ethics

The mission of RealSelf is to help consumers make confident decisions about elective cosmetic procedures. False reviews, “helpful vote” abuse and other dishonest gaming practices erode trust and will not be tolerated.

Disciplinary Action

Health Care Providers who violate RealSelf HCP Terms of Service, Health Care Provider Code of Conduct, the Code of Conduct or the Photo & Video Guidelines may have their profiles suspended, limited or removed, temporarily or permanently, in RealSelf’s sole discretion.

Non-Competitive Inquiry

An audit will be initiated in the event that one or more geographically non-competitive peer negatively reports a Health Care Provider's posts or behavior on RealSelf.

RealSelf may also conduct periodic audits of a Health Care Provider’s profile in order to ensure compliance.