RealSelf

Last updated
RealSelf
RealSelf color logo.png
Type of businessPrivate
Type of site
 Review Site
Founded2006 (2006)
Headquarters Seattle, Washington
CEOJeff Kizilbash
Key people
  • Executive Chairman: Tom Seery
  • Board Members: Barney Harford, Andrew Hunt, Judy Verses, Mike Slade, Lizette Williams
  • CTO: Ward Vuillemot
  • CRO: Anita Chen
  • CFO: Jim Nida
Industry Beauty
Services Health information services
Employees140 (November 2020)
URL www.realself.com
RegistrationOptional
Current statusActive

RealSelf is a healthcare marketplace where consumers research aesthetic treatments and connect with physicians. The website primarily targets plastic surgery, dermatology and minimally-invasive treatments. There are 30,000 registered doctors and practices. The site has more than 2 million reviews and had 94 million visitors in 2017. [1] RealSelf’s website has been compared in the media to Yelp, [2] Avvo, [3] and Trip Advisor [4] due to its emphasis on user-generated content and connecting consumers to businesses through its marketplace. [5]

Contents

History

RealSelf was founded in 2006 by Tom Seery, a former executive at Expedia. Seery told Geekwire he noticed a gap in the market where consumers could find quality information about travel-related businesses but minimal, “one-sided marketing” about expensive medical procedures. [6]

RealSelf was initially self-funded by Seery. In 2008, the company raised close to $2 million in funding from angel investors, including Rich Barton. [7] RealSelf was one of Inc. 500's fastest growing private companies from 2012–2015, peaking at #306. [8] Traffic rose 270% from 2013 to 2019. [9]

In 2018, the company raised $40 million in Series C funding from Elephant. [10] [11]

Site content

RealSelf.com is a website where viewers can review treatments and find a plastic surgeon or an aesthetics physician to perform procedures. [12] RealSelf also covers topics in dermatology, dentistry, and even LASIK. The site features reviews, real patient before & after photos, forums, editorial content, consumer questions, and answers. Treatments are rated “Worth It”, “Not Worth It”, with an option to talk about their experience.

Audience

Consumers

Consumers post reviews, photos, and questions in a discussion format, and also post questions to providers. RealSelf also hosts a directory of doctors organized by specialty, the treatment offered, and location. Consumers can contact doctors through the site, who sometimes have special offers available. RealSelf also has an iOS app.

The site has over 2 million reviews of doctors and treatments. [13]

Doctors

RealSelf operates on a commercial model and allows any doctor with a medical license to have a profile. This means physicians that have not trained in plastic surgery can claim a RealSelf profile.

The American Board of Medical Specialties and its member boards are the agencies that award board certification once a doctor has completed a residency for a specialty or fellowship for a sub-specialty. [14] Board certification does not mean the doctor has completed any plastic surgery training. [15]

Doctors publicize their services through their profile, where user- and doctor-generated content is aggregated. Doctors can pay for targeted exposure through ads. [16]

Doctors have access to free dispute resolution when they think a review violates the site guidelines. Doctors cannot pay to alter or remove consumer reviews. [17]

Organization

In addition to founding RealSelf, Seery serves as Executive Chairman. Seery is a frequent speaker at conferences, including meetings of the Aesthetic and Anti-aging Medicine World Congress, [18] the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, IMCAS World Congress [19] and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. [20] He is also on the advisory board of Buerck Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Washington. [21]

Board members include Andrew Hunt, founder of Warby Parker and Elephant; and Mike Slade of Second Avenue Partners, Judy Verses of Wiley & Sons, Lizette Williams of Facebook. [22]

Business model

RealSelf is a two-sided marketplace that is free for consumers. Registration is required to submit content. Medical professionals are only required to have a medical license to claim a free profile and can self-verify their qualifications and experience. Profiles can be upgraded via a paid membership. Medical professionals cannot achieve "Verified" status without prior payment to RealSelf.com. They may also buy advertising that appears on the site. All professionals on RealSelf must meet participation guidelines before they can be listed. [23] They can only buy ads and post content in specialties where they hold qualifications. [24] RealSelf refer to their doctors as "cosmetic doctors" as they may only have a medical license and are not recognized as plastic surgeons or any type of board-certified surgeon.

All reviews, questions and forums undergo moderation before they are posted. RealSelf does not allow doctors to remove consumer reviews. [25] RealSelf does not publicize their moderation algorithm. [26] Other review websites, such as Yelp and TripAdvisor, also do not publish their moderation algorithm, with Yelp stating to the Irish Times that "we don't disclose precise details about the recommendation software to prevent people from gaming the system." [27]

Awards

RealSelf is accredited by the Better Business Bureau. [28] The company has won workplace awards from Entrepreneur, [29] Glassdoor, [30] Puget Sound Business Journal, [31] Geekwire and Seattle Business Magazine. [32]

RealSelf releases a yearly “Most Worth It” list of procedures, RealSelf Hall of Fame, RealSelf 100 and RealSelf 500 awards for doctors. [33] The awards are free and are based on ratings from consumers.

Charity

RealSelf sponsors medical relief to Dehradun, India as part of their “Beyond Scars” partnership with ReSurge International. [34] The trips primarily work to provide plastic and reconstructive work to burn patients, which affect 6-7M people in India annually. [35] RealSelf employees have also volunteered at Camp Karma in India.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Botulinum toxin</span> Neurotoxic protein produced by Clostridium botulinum

Botulinum toxin, or botulinum neurotoxin, is a highly potent neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and related species. It prevents the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from axon endings at the neuromuscular junction, thus causing flaccid paralysis. The toxin causes the disease botulism. The toxin is also used commercially for medical and cosmetic purposes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plastic surgery</span> Medical surgical specialty

Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty involving the restoration, reconstruction or alteration of the human body. It can be divided into two main categories: reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive surgery includes craniofacial surgery, hand surgery, microsurgery, and the treatment of burns. While reconstructive surgery aims to reconstruct a part of the body or improve its functioning, cosmetic surgery aims at improving the appearance of it. Comprehensive definition of plastic surgery has never been established, because it has no distinct anatomical object and thus overlaps with practically all other surgical specialties. An essential feature of plastic surgery is that it involves treatment of conditions that require or may require tissue relocation skills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dentist</span> Health care occupations caring for the mouth and teeth

A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a health care professional who specializes in dentistry, the branch of medicine focused on the teeth, gums, and mouth. The dentist's supporting team aids in providing oral health services. The dental team includes dental assistants, dental hygienists, dental technicians, and sometimes dental therapists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Podiatry</span> Medicine branch focusing on the human lower extremities

Podiatry, or podiatric medicine, is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle. The healthcare professional is known as a podiatrist. The US podiatric medical school curriculum includes lower extremity anatomy, general human anatomy, physiology, general medicine, physical assessment, biochemistry, neurobiology, pathophysiology, genetics and embryology, microbiology, histology, pharmacology, women's health, physical rehabilitation, sports medicine, research, ethics and jurisprudence, biomechanics, general principles of orthopedic surgery, and foot and ankle surgery.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a surgical specialty focusing on reconstructive surgery of the face, facial trauma surgery, the oral cavity, head and neck, mouth, and jaws, as well as facial cosmetic surgery/facial plastic surgery including cleft lip and cleft palate surgery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allergan, Inc.</span> Former American conglomerate

Allergan, Inc. was an American global pharmaceutical company focused on eye care, neurosciences, medical dermatology, medical aesthetics, breast enhancement, obesity intervention and urologics. Allergan, Inc. was formed in 1948, incorporated in 1950 and became a public company in 1970. It ceased operation in 2015 when it was acquired by Irish-based Actavis plc, who then renamed the group as Allergan plc.

Hand surgery deals with both surgical and non-surgical treatment of conditions and problems that may take place in the hand or upper extremity including injury and infection. Hand surgery may be practiced by post graduates of orthopedic surgery and plastic surgery.

Victoria Belo is a Filipina doctor, entrepreneur, and media personality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine</span>

The International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM) is a voluntary association founded to unite licensed physicians who practice aesthetic medicine, by assisting in their professional and personal development.

Aesthetic medicine is a branch of modern medicine that focuses on altering cosmetic appearance through the treatment of conditions including scars, skin laxity, wrinkles, moles, liver spots, excess fat, cellulite, unwanted hair, skin discoloration, and spider veins. Traditionally, it includes dermatology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, reconstructive surgery and plastic surgery, surgical procedures, non-surgical procedures, and a combination of both. Aesthetic medicine procedures are usually elective. There is a long history of aesthetic medicine procedures, dating back to many notable cases in the 19th century, though techniques have developed much since then.

New York Plastic Surgical Group (NYPS Group) was founded in April 1948 and is the oldest and largest private academic plastic surgery practice in the United States. The group currently has 10+ offices within the New York Metropolitan area, including Garden City, East Hills, Babylon, Huntington, Manhattan, Flushing, Astoria, Brooklyn, White Plains, and Connecticut. The practice operates with over 20 plastic and reconstructive surgeons who were trained at institutions including Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic and Massachusetts General Hospital. NYPS Group is composed of nine Centers of Excellence: Breast Reconstruction Surgery and Microsurgery; Burns and Complex Wound Management; Cosmetic Surgery of the Face, Breast, and Body; Facial Reanimation Treatment; Hand Surgery and Peripheral Nerve Repair; Non-Invasive Cosmetic Procedures; Pediatric Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery; Post-Weight Loss Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery; and Skin Care and Age Management.

Injectable filler is a soft tissue filler injected into the skin at different depths to help fill in facial wrinkles, provide facial volume, and augment facial features: restoring a smoother appearance. Most of these wrinkle fillers are temporary because they are eventually absorbed by the body. Most dermal fillers today consist of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring polysaccharide that is present in skin and cartilage. Some people may need more than one injection to achieve the wrinkle-smoothing effect. The effect lasts for about six months or longer. Successful results depend on health of the skin, skill of the health care provider, and type of filler used. Regardless of material filler duration is highly dependent on amount of activity in the region where it is injected. Exercise and high intensity activities such as manual labor can stimulate blood flow and shorten the lifespan of fillers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leah Totton</span>

Leah Totton is a Northern Irish practising physician, entrepreneur and former model who won the 2013 series of BBC One's The Apprentice. Her business plan, a cosmetic clinic chain, named Dr Leah Clinics, co-owned with Alan Sugar, launched in 2014. Their business was a success; with their London clinic winning national awards. Dr Leah Clinics expanded to open further branches in London and Essex & the pair have also launched Dr Leah skincare products. Dr Leah received media attention for her glamorous appearance, her success on the show, the success of her resulting business and for advocacy of improved ethics and integrity in the cosmetic treatment industry. Despite the success of her business she remained committed to NHS and returned to work part-time as a GP in 2017.

Terry J. Dubrow is an American plastic surgeon and television personality. He is known for his work on The Swan and for co-hosting Botched and its spin-off series Botched by Nature with Paul Nassif. He also appears on The Real Housewives of Orange County with his wife, Heather. In 2015, Dubrow appeared on Good Work, a plastic surgery-themed talk show, together with co-hosts RuPaul and Sandra Vergara. Dubrow also performed the plastic surgery procedures on Bridalplasty, a reality series which premiered in 2011 and featured a group of women who competed in order to win a wedding and transformative plastic surgery procedure.

Allergan plc is an American, Irish-domiciled pharmaceutical company that acquires, develops, manufactures and markets brand name drugs and medical devices in the areas of medical aesthetics, eye care, central nervous system, and gastroenterology. The company is the maker of Botox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Mulholland</span> Canadian surgeon, scholar, and ice hockey player

Stephen Mulholland is a Canadian surgeon and scholar with an expertise in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and a former professional ice hockey player. He is considered an expert in plastic surgery and has been called on to testify in disciplinary hearings involving botched procedures, and has appeared on television shows which include The Today Show, The Doctors, The View and The Other Half. Mulholland is the founder of SpaMedica, an aesthetic plastic surgery center located in Toronto. He is best known for non-invasive practices, including the Pan G. Facelift and the Bodytite for which he owns or has developed the patents.

Dr. Rashmi Shetty is an Indian board certified dermatologist, teacher, author, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in aesthetic and clinical dermatology. She is known for her transformative yet subtle results with facial enhancement procedures and is a pioneer in bringing injectables and laser technologies to India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simon Ourian</span> Iranian-American physician

Simon Ourian is an Iranian American physician who founded Epione Beverly Hills in 1998 in Beverly Hills, California. Ourian is credited for developing the Coolaser and Coolbeam procedures. His clients include the Kardashian-Jenner family, Victoria’s Secret supermodels, Hollywood actors and musicians.

Culture of cosmetic surgery is a set of attitudes and behavior regarding making changes to one's appearance via plastic surgery. World War I left thousands of soldiers with unprecedented levels of facial damage, creating a massive need for reconstructive surgery. Harold Gillies of New Zealand developed and methods to restore function and structure to the faces of soldiers and these processes rapidly gained popularity. During the 1940s and 50s, personal appearance became more emphasized in the United States. As beauty standards changed, new products and techniques were developed to meet those demands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam J. Oppenheimer</span>

Adam Jeremy Oppenheimer is an American plastic surgeon and medical researcher known previously for his research in craniofacial surgery and current work in labiaplasty surgery.

References

  1. ↑ Soper, Taylor (8 March 2019). "RealSelf CTO and product leader to depart, following earlier layoffs in January". Geekwire. Geekwire, LLC. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  2. ↑ Moss, Caroline. "'RealSelf' Is Like A Social Network For People Who Want Cosmetic Surgery". Business Insider. Pedestrian Group. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  3. ↑ Lerman, Rachel (19 April 2018). "RealSelf raises $40 million for online plastic surgery review site". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  4. ↑ Wischhover, Cheryl (3 May 2018). "The TripAdvisor of Boob Jobs and Botox Landed $40 Million in Funding". Racked. Vox Media, Inc. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  5. ↑ Lerman, Rachel (19 April 2018). "RealSelf raises $40 million for online plastic surgery review site". Seattle Times. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  6. ↑ Stiffler, Lisa (3 January 2019). "Working Geek: To botox or not to botox? RealSelf's Tom Seery helps consumers find their answer". Geekwire. Geekwire, LLC. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  7. ↑ Lerman, Rachel (19 April 2018). "RealSelf raises $40 million for online plastic surgery review site". Seattle Times. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  8. ↑ "RealSelf". Inc. Manuseto Ventures. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  9. ↑ Rao, Priya (30 October 2018). "How brands are using editorial content to take the stigma out of beauty procedures". Glossy. Digiday Media. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  10. ↑ Soper, Taylor (19 April 2018). "After 10 years, RealSelf raises $40M to 'hit the gas' and take cosmetic treatment review platform global". Geekwire. Geekwire, LLC. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  11. ↑ "RealSelf". PitchBook. PitchBook Data. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  12. ↑ Griffith, Erin. "Meet RealSelf: the profitable, under-the-radar pla". Pando.com.
  13. ↑ Soper, Taylor (8 March 2019). "RealSelf CTO and product leader to depart, following earlier layoffs in January". Geekwire. Geekwire, LLC. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  14. ↑ url=https://www.abms.org/board-certification/ What is ABMS Board Certification?
  15. ↑ https://www.abms.org/member-boards/specialty-subspecialty-certificates/ Specialty and Subspecialty Certificates
  16. ↑ Soper, Taylor (22 January 2019). "RealSelf cuts 14% of staff, blames Google search algorithm change for slowing traffic". Geekwire. Geekwire, LLC. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  17. ↑ "Does RealSelf Moderate Content?". RealSelf Support. RealSelf, Inc. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  18. ↑ Berman, Nat (26 April 2018). "10 Things You Didn't Know About RealSelf CEO Tom Seery". Money, Inc. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  19. ↑ "IMCAS World Congress Speaker List". IMCAS. International Master Course on Aging Science. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  20. ↑ "WPS Enrichment Retreat 2017". American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  21. ↑ Berman, Nat (26 April 2018). "10 Things You Didn't Know About RealSelf CEO Tom Seery". Money, Inc. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  22. ↑ "RealSelf". KITE. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  23. ↑ "Healthcare Professional Listing Criteria". RealSelf. RealSelf, Inc. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  24. ↑ "RealSelf Standards for Doctors & Other Providers". RealSelf. RealSelf, Inc. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  25. ↑ "Making Smart Choices". RealSelf. RealSelf, Inc. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  26. ↑ "Does RealSelf Moderate Content?". RealSelf Support. RealSelf, Inc. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  27. ↑ Boran, Marie. "Online reviews: what you read isn't always what you get". Irish Times. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  28. ↑ "RealSelf, Inc". Better Business Bureau. BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, Inc. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  29. ↑ "Large-Sized Companies: The Best Company Cultures in 2017". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  30. ↑ "Best Small and Medium Companies to Work For 2017". Glassdoor. Glassdoor, Inc. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  31. ↑ Monk, Becky. "Washington's Best Workplaces with 250-plus workers make culture a priority". Puget Sound Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  32. ↑ Lind, Treva (23 June 2016). "100 Best Companies to Work For Snapshot: RealSelf". Seattle Business. Tiger Oak Media. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  33. ↑ "The RealSelf 100 & 500 Hall of Fame". RealSelf. RealSelf, Inc. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  34. ↑ "RealSelf to launch Beyond Scars to address India's burn epidemic". Cosmedic India. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  35. ↑ Gupta, J.L. (2010). "National programme for prevention of burn injuries". Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery. 43 (Suppl): S6–S10. doi: 10.4103/0970-0358.70716 . PMC   3038407 . PMID   21321659.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.