Introduction

Social media

How we use it

Authors’ impressions of major platforms as they apply to facial plastic surgery

What patients want

Is it worth it?

#Hashtag

Potential pitfalls

Summary

References

KEY POINTS

Social media is quickly becoming one of the main avenues for direct to consumer marketing.
Patients use social media to find surgeons and to communicate about procedures, outcomes, and their experiences.
A surgeon’s social media presence can dramatically increase their perception of being an expert and showcase to patients their style and approach.
There is no single best social network, instead various networks exist with unique characteristics that each have the potential to drive traffic to a practice.
Social media can be potentially hazardous for patients and surgeons if misused.

INTRODUCTION

As patients incorporate social media into their daily routine, physicians are increasingly investigating ways of harnessing this burgeoning market of interactive media. Plastic surgeons are apt to embrace innovation and emerging technologies, and they are now helping to define the interaction between social media and medicine. Social media is a powerful tool that needs to be used wisely to avoid pitfalls.