Beauty for Life is a new website launched by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery to educate people regarding the procedures they are considering and the surgeons who will be doing them. I had the opportunity to ask Dr. Richard A'mico MD FACS, President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons more about their goal for Beauty for Life.
Shannon: Was beauty for Life conceptualized out of the concern that many women and men aren't doing their research prior to choosing a plastic surgeon or being misinformed about a procedure?
Dr. Richard D'Amico: As consumers' cosmetic procedural options increase, so too does their confusion about which ones can best meet their needs. To get answers, many turn to the Internet first-but with so much information on the Web, they often struggle to find specific, reliable information on the most appropriate cosmetic procedures for their stage of life and beauty goals. As they search, many also do not understand the importance of consulting with a qualified plastic surgeons for personalized, expert advice. So, The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)- the world's largest association of board-certified plastic surgeons- formed Beauty for Life to help consumers make educated choices about cosmetic medicine procedures and providers. BeautyforLife.com is one of the components of our Integrated effort to educate patients about how to make safe decisions when it comes to cosmetic procedures of all types.
Shannon: How do you hope to educate them through this new website?
Dr. Richard D'Amico: To help consumers navigate the cosmetic medical landscape, four levels of cosmetic medical care are defined as well as the most common cosmetic concerns- and the most effective procedures- in each stage of life. To reach a vast new online audience we developed this dynamic website. BeautyforLife.com features a confidential, interactive quiz to match information about each visitor's age, appearance, beauty regimen, lifestyle, and body image with facts and images that reveal how they can look their best at any age. We also provide visitors with information that charts the aging process and most popular cosmetic procedures from the teen years through the 60's and beyond, not to mention a "Find-A-Surgeon" tool that allows them to search for a plastic surgeon in their area who is board certified and a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and/or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Shannon: Have you heard from possible surgical candidates that they were able to make better informed decisions due to the site?
Dr. D'Amico: Since its launch just about two and a half weeks ago, we have received many inquiries from individuals looking to make educated decisions. From questions about specific procedures to locating board-certified plastic surgeons in their local area, we are confident that visitors are directed toward the information they need to make the best decision possible when choosing a plastic surgeon for their cosmetic procedure.
Shannon: What is involved in creating a personalized Beauty for Life plan?
Dr. D'Amico: With the help of the confidential Beauty for Life interactive quiz, visitors learn more about the procedures that suit their specific age, appearance, beauty regimen, lifestyle, body image - even your budget. The quiz takes them through the range of questions they'll need to answer when considering having any cosmetic procedure, such as:
Do you smoke?
How would you describe your comfort level with surgical procedures?
Following a cosmetic procedure, how much time are you able to take off of work?
Which areas of your body concern you most?
The plan offers direct links to information on each procedure, but it also might give you a reality check. For example, if your weight hasn't stabilized it's too soon for a tummy tuck, and you'll need to quit smoking before undergoing surgery. These are all of the unique features available when visitors choose to take the Beauty Plan Quiz.
If you are a candidate for plastic surgery or are looking for more information about a procedure or surgeon, visit www.beautyforlife.com
