Cosmetic Procedure “Worth It” Ratings – Real Patient Review Data
Originally published on September 20, 2016. Updated September 12, 2025 with up to date review data.
Online reviews now play a central role in nearly every purchase decision—especially when it comes to higher-cost investments. According to research from Power Reviews, more than 88% of consumers look to reviews before moving forward with health or beauty purchases. It’s a natural instinct: before making a commitment, most of us want to know how others have experienced it.
When it comes to cosmetic procedures, however, gathering honest feedback can be challenging. Many patients choose to keep their treatments private, often sharing details only with close friends or family members.
To better understand patient sentiment, we took a closer look at reviews posted on RealSelf.com, a popular resource where people share their experiences with both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatments. On the platform, users rate whether a procedure was “worth it,” “not worth it,” or if they are “not sure.” These responses are then used to calculate a “Worth It Rating,” based on the ratio of positive to negative votes (with “not sure” excluded).
Below, you will find a snapshot of RealSelf’s ratings for a variety of cosmetic procedures. Keep in mind that these figures reflect patient-reported experiences only—factors such as a provider’s skill level, each patient’s starting condition, and treatment costs are not accounted for. (Data current as of September 12, 2025.)
Surgical Procedure Ratings
| Procedure | Worth It Rating (%) | Reviews (#) |
| Breast Reduction | 97% | 10,509 |
| Body Lift | 96% | 1,290 |
| Mommy Makeover | 96% | 13,028 |
| Hair Transplant | 96% | 3,657 |
| Breast Augmentation | 95% | 26,700 |
| Tummy Tuck | 95% | 22,909 |
| Otoplasty (Ear Surgery) | 95% | 1,431 |
| Breast Lift | 95% | 3,016 |
| Labiaplasty | 95% | 2,200 |
| Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia) | 94% | 1,165 |
| Facelift | 92% | 6,343 |
| Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) | 92% | 8,448 |
| Neck Lift | 91% | 1,700 |
| Arm Lift | 90% | 926 |
| Rhinoplasty | 90% | 16,198 |
| Forehead Reduction | 89% | 492 |
| Liposuction | 88% | 6,785 |
| Chin Implant | 88% | 874 |
| Brow Lift | 88% | 776 |
| Fat Transfer (Breast) | 87% | 933 |
| Brazilian Butt Lift | 85% | 20,000 |
| Cheek Augmentation | 84% | 58 |
| SmartLipo | 84% | 1,700 |
| Thigh Lift | 82% | 472 |
| Lip Implants | 81% | 209 |
| Butt Implants | 76% | 1,181 |
Non-Surgical Ratings
| Procedure | Worth It (%) | Reviews (#) |
| Tattoo Removal | 97% | 798 |
| Botox | 97% | 6,000 |
| Microdermabrasion | 95% | 89 |
| Facial | 94% | 406 |
| Dysport | 94% | 928 |
| Juvederm | 91% | 1,800 |
| UltraClear | 89% | 27 |
| Voluma | 88% | 463 |
| Laser Hair Removal | 88% | 536 |
| Laser Resurfacing | 88% | 66 |
| Chemical Peel | 87% | 355 |
| Restylane | 86% | 880 |
| Microneedling | 85% | 405 |
| miraDry | 83% | 390 |
| Sclerotherapy | 82% | 593 |
| IPL Photofacial | 82% | 512 |
| Sculptra | 82% | 593 |
| Radiesse | 65% | 465 |
| CoolSculpting | 64% | 1,900 |
| Lip Lift | 90% | 1,200 |
** About the data: All review information was compiled in September 2025 from individual user reviews submitted on RealSelf.com over the last 24 months. Data is directly submitted by Real Self users, meaning we are unable to independently verify its accuracy.
A united group of skin care specialists from Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, Austin's leader in Dermatology and Plastic Surgery. Articles posted under WD staff are authored through combined contributions from our entire team, including Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, Aestheticians, Physician Assistants, Aesthetic Nurses, and Patient Coordinators.
Disclaimer: The contents of the Westlake Dermatology website, including text, graphics, and images, are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for direct medical advice from your physician or other qualified professional.
Wow all procedures listed have over 80% approval rates…..Very interesting. I wonder if the numbers are a bit skewed since I would imagine most users of Real Self are really into plastic surgery.
Great point Michael! The numbers do have to be taken with a grain of salt since Real Self users might fit a specific “mold” when it comes to cosmetic procedures. Also there could be a high correlation between knowledge of the procedure as Real Self users may research procedures more than non-users, and thus chose the best procedures for their needs.
Wow! This was a great idea, another resource that I will share with perspective patients. Great stuff!