Dr. Ariel N. Rad, board-certified facial plastic surgeon and co-founder of SHERBER+RAD, is advocating for a 'Restraint First' standard in aesthetic medicine. This patient-led approach emphasizes informed decisions, credential verification, and long-term thinking, as cosmetic procedures continue to rise across the United States.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 26 million cosmetic procedures are performed annually in the U.S. However, industry reports indicate that over 30% of non-surgical cosmetic treatments are performed by providers without formal plastic surgery training, and revision procedures linked to unqualified providers have increased 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 issue: 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, and studies show that patients who take time to verify board certification report higher long-term satisfaction. Decision regret drops when individuals delay elective procedures and seek second opinions.
Dr. Rad advocates for practical, patient-driven steps rather than policy reform. He recommends a simple four-step approach: verify board certification through recognized medical boards, confirm the procedure setting — hospital-based or accredited facilities reduce risk, ask how often the surgeon performs the procedure you are considering, and pause before committing — take 48 hours to reflect before signing consent.
'I focus on depth, not breadth,' Dr. Rad said. 'Mastery comes from repetition and respect for fundamentals.' He also encourages patients to question trend-driven messaging. 'If something sounds effortless or permanent without trade-offs, that's usually incomplete information.'
Dr. Rad urges individuals considering cosmetic treatment to take ownership of their decision-making process. Research your provider. Ask direct questions. Slow down. Choose 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 before moving forward. To read the full interview, visit the website here.
