Dermatologists remain the leading influencers for cosmetic procedures and skincare choices, according to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery’s (ASDS) 2025 Consumer Survey on Cosmetic Dermatologic Procedures.
Fully 70% are considering a cosmetic procedure, with dermatologists preferred for their expertise and proven results, the survey showed.
This data was collected from more than 3,500 consumers nationwide. It found that dermatologists are the physician of choice in 12 procedure categories and receive 95% or higher overall patient satisfaction in eight of 15 treatments.
Why Do Consumers Consider Cosmetic Procedures?
- To feel more confident
- To look as young as they feel for their age (most common in adults aged 35-54)
- To appear more attractive (most common in the 25-54 age range)
- To reward themselves
What Are the Top Areas of Concern?
- 85% – Excess weight on any part of the body
- 78% – Skin texture and/or discoloration
- 78% – Lines and wrinkles around and under the eyes
- 77% – Excess fat under the chin / neck
- 73% – Lines, wrinkles, and folds on the midface (new top concern in 2025)
In 2025, chemical peels, laser hair removal, and treatments to reduce facial redness rounded out the top five categories. While female interest leads in almost all these procedures, males are more commonly interested in reducing facial redness and improving skin tone than females (43% vs. 35%).
Although many consumers are bothered by various aesthetic concerns and are interested in a variety of procedures, they are waiting to proceed with a treatment. Cost (24%) and pain (14%) are consistently the top reasons for their hesitation. Side effects and safety (16%) made this list in 2023 and continues to emerge as a top factor, ranked higher by consumers in the Northeast for 2025. Eleven percent of survey respondents are concerned they may not obtain their desired results.
What Factors Influence Provider Choice?
Cost of a procedure is a leading factor in selecting a provider, reflective of the current economic environment, particularly for consumers older than 65. The specialty in which the physician is board certified, referral by a physician, and level of licensure ranked the highest in driving consumer influence.
Social media continues to have a strong impact on influencing followers to become patients and engage with their providers. Nearly half of consumers say a provider’s social media presence impacts their decision to schedule an appointment, and 74% of them follow the social media of the provider they are seeing or are considering seeing. Ninety-four percent of survey respondents shared that rate and review websites impact their decision when selecting a provider.
