Dr. Ariel N. Rad, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon and co-founder of SHERBER+RAD, is advocating for what he calls a "Restraint First" standard in aesthetic medicine. This patient-led approach focuses on informed decisions, credential verification, and long-term thinking rather than impulsive procedures driven by social media trends.
The call comes as cosmetic procedures continue to increase significantly. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 26 million cosmetic procedures are performed annually in the United States. Concurrently, industry reports indicate that over 30% of non-surgical cosmetic treatments are performed by providers without formal plastic surgery training, with revision procedures linked to unqualified providers increasing in recent years.
"Social media has accelerated demand," Dr. Rad noted. "But anatomy hasn't changed. The face is complex. Decisions should not be impulsive." Additional data underscores the urgency of this approach: nearly 40% of patients seeking revision surgery report insufficient understanding of risks before their first procedure, complication rates are significantly lower when procedures are performed in accredited hospital-based settings, studies show patients who verify board certification report higher long-term satisfaction, and decision regret drops when individuals delay elective procedures and seek second opinions.
Dr. Rad emphasizes that "Restraint creates clarity" and that "saying no can be a form of care." He recommends a practical four-step approach for individuals considering cosmetic treatment: verify board certification through recognized medical boards, confirm the procedure setting with preference for hospital-based or accredited facilities, ask how often the surgeon performs the specific procedure being considered, and pause for 48 hours to reflect before signing consent. He encourages patients to question trend-driven messaging, noting that "if something sounds effortless or permanent without trade-offs, that's usually incomplete information."
The surgeon urges individuals to take ownership of their decision-making process by researching providers, asking direct questions, and choosing safety over speed. "Most success in surgery looks boring up close," he said. "It's repetition done well." Patients can begin today by reviewing their provider's credentials and confirming where procedures are performed. For more information, visit https://www.sherberrad.com.
