Today, the largest multi-specialty organization of cosmetic surgeons in the world launched a new consumer education campaign called Be Wise About Beauty. The integrated, multi-faceted campaign will arm patients with the facts about cosmetic surgery, patient safety and the qualifications of practitioners to help consumers make informed decisions about cosmetic enhancement. The announcement was made at the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery’s (AACS) Annual Scientific Meeting held in Phoenix, January 25 - 28, 2007.

"It’s time for patients to be wise about beauty," said Dr. Neil Sadick, president of the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation, which is funding the educational campaign. "With this initiative, cosmetic surgeons hope to help separate myth from reality when it comes to cosmetic enhancement."

Campaign Addresses Confusion about Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery is the surgery of appearance. It is elective and focuses on the aesthetics of beauty, something that is sought by an increasing number of people each year. Be Wise About Beauty launched in response to the flurry of information in the marketplace regarding the growing trend toward cosmetic surgery.

Cosmetic surgeons view patient safety as their number one priority, and hope that this campaign will encourage all consumers to make smart, educated choices when it comes to beauty. Cosmetic surgeons’ strong knowledge base, high level of training and practical experience make them not only among the most qualified physicians to perform cosmetic procedures but also positions them to talk to their patients about cosmetic surgery and the options available to them.

Be Wise About Beauty is a broad educational campaign that will provide members of the Academy with new tools and materials to facilitate an ongoing dialogue with their patients regarding procedures and the important things to consider when choosing cosmetic surgery.

According to Sadick, "Patients need to have accurate information at their fingertips, and Be Wise About Beauty offers them a way to make educated choices about cosmetic enhancement."

New Web Site Offers Valuable Tools

The cornerstone of the campaign is a consumer friendly, interactive Web site at http://www.bewiseaboutbeauty.org. The site offers a suite of tools designed to educate patients and prospective patients about cosmetic surgery, including:

– Information about specific procedures

– Direction on what to look for when choosing a cosmetic surgeon

– Sample questions on what patients should ask a cosmetic surgeon — Myths and facts about cosmetic surgery

– An interactive ‘Beauty Monitor’ quiz that can help determine whether cosmetic surgery is the right choice for them

About Be Wise About Beauty

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) launched Be Wise About Beauty to arm patients with the facts about cosmetic surgery, patient safety and the qualifications of practitioners so they can make informed decisions about cosmetic enhancement.

About http://www.bewiseaboutbeauty.org

The first Web site of its kind, bewiseaboutbeauty.org is an educational Web portal exclusively designed to educate patients and prospective patients about cosmetic surgery. The site offers a suite of tools to educate patients on the benefits of choosing a cosmetic surgeon to help them define their personal vision of beauty — whatever that means to them.

About The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) is a professional medical society whose members are dedicated to the art of cosmetic surgery. The AACS offers fellowships and training opportunities that include live surgery workshops. The Academy is the largest multi-specialty organization of cosmetic surgeons in the world.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
http://www.cosmeticsurgery.org