Is AestheticMatch Board Certified? What We Are (And What We're Not)

Updated November 2025

If you’ve heard that AestheticMatch works only with board-certified plastic surgeons, you might be wondering:

• Is AestheticMatch itself board certified?
• Are there real surgeons behind it?
• How can I be sure this isn’t just another ad-driven directory?

Short answer: AestheticMatch itself cannot be “board certified”- boards certify individual doctors, not tech or concierge companies.

What AestheticMatch actually does is act as a concierge and advocate that connects you with real, independently board-certified plastic surgeons, primarily those certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This article explains what AestheticMatch is, what “board certified” really means, how surgeons are vetted, and how you can double-check credentials yourself.

What AestheticMatch Actually Is

We’re a Concierge Service, Not a Medical Practice

AestheticMatch is a technology-powered, human-led concierge service for cosmetic and plastic surgery. It is built to:

• Help patients find and compare vetted plastic surgeons
• Support consult scheduling, quotes, and logistics
• Stay involved from intake through post-op check-ins

Surgeons in the network remain independent and work in their own practices. AestheticMatch does not own clinics or run operating rooms.

We Don’t Perform Procedures or Give Medical Advice

Because AestheticMatch is not a medical practice, it:

• Does not diagnose, prescribe, or clear anyone for surgery
• Does not decide what procedure you “should” have
• Does not perform surgery or injections

All clinical decisions stay strictly between you and your surgeon. AestheticMatch’s role is to:

• Help you understand your options in plain language
• Curate appropriate, vetted surgeons for your goals
• Make your journey organized, informed, and less stressful

We Connect You With Board-Certified Surgeons

AestheticMatch is built around board-certified plastic surgeons. In practical terms, that means:

• Surgeons have completed accredited training in plastic and reconstructive surgery
• They have passed rigorous board exams
• Their credentials and background are reviewed before they’re added to the network

So no—the company itself is not “board certified.” But the surgeons it connects you with are, and that distinction is exactly the point.

What “Board Certified” Actually Means (And Why It Matters)

“Board certified” is one of the most overused and misunderstood phrases in cosmetic marketing. Not all “boards” are created equal.

ABPS Certification: The Gold Standard

The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is widely regarded as the gold standard for plastic and reconstructive surgery in the United States. ABPS certification generally means that a surgeon has:

• Completed extensive, accredited residency training in plastic surgery
• Passed comprehensive written and oral examinations
• Committed to ongoing education and periodic re-evaluation

This certification covers the full spectrum of plastic surgery, including reconstructive and cosmetic procedures, not just weekend courses or narrow trainings.

Why Board Certification Isn’t Negotiable

Board certification matters because it is one of the clearest filters for:

• Proper, formal training in plastic surgery
• A baseline of patient safety and ethics standards
• Commitment to staying current with techniques, complications, and guidelines

Without that, you may be relying on:

• Generic “cosmetic” marketing language
• Short private courses
• Limited or unclear surgical experience

That’s why AestheticMatch organizes its surgical network around board-certified plastic surgeons, rather than simply anyone who offers aesthetic procedures.

Red Flags: “Board Eligible” and Other Workarounds

Some phrases sound reassuring but aren’t equivalent to ABPS certification, such as:

• “Board eligible” – often means the doctor completed training but has not yet passed the board exams. It is not the same as being certified.
• “Cosmetic surgery board” or generic “cosmetic surgery academy” credentials – requirements may be much looser and not recognized in the same way as major specialty boards.
• “Board certified in another specialty” – a doctor might be certified in a different field (for example, ENT or general surgery) but still market full-body cosmetic procedures.

This doesn’t automatically mean they are unsafe. It does mean you should ask more questions and compare their training path to that of an ABPS-certified plastic surgeon.

How We Vet the Surgeons We Work With

AestheticMatch filters surgeons using criteria that actually matter for safety, outcomes, and patient experience.

Board Certification Requirements

The first and most important filter is board certification in plastic surgery, typically through the American Board of Plastic Surgery or an equivalent plastic and reconstructive board.

If a surgeon does not meet that level of training and certification, they are not a fit for the core surgical network.

Case Mix and Technique Fit

Beyond credentials, AestheticMatch looks at what a surgeon actually does in day-to-day practice, including:

• The types of procedures performed most frequently (for example, BBL, face and neck lift, mommy makeover, rhinoplasty)
• Experience with primary vs revision cases
• Alignment of technique (for example, different facelift approaches or rhinoplasty philosophies) with your goals

This matters because a surgeon who is excellent at one category may not be the ideal match for another.

Safety Record and Outcomes

Vetting also considers:

• A clean license and disciplinary history, where that information is accessible
• Use of accredited facilities and proper anesthesia providers
• Overall consistency of outcomes based on before-and-after cases and ongoing patient feedback

The goal is to bring patients to surgeons with a proven track record, not simply those with the flashiest marketing.

Bedside Manner and Responsiveness

Technical skill is only part of the picture. AestheticMatch also weighs:

• Willingness to give realistic expectations
• Clarity of explanations about risks and recovery
• Responsiveness to pre- and post-op questions
• A staff culture that treats patients with respect and patience

These “soft” factors heavily influence your real-world experience, especially if you need reassurance or face a complication.

Why We Only Work With Real, Independent Surgeons

AestheticMatch focuses on identifiable surgeons with real credentials, not anonymous brand names.

No Med Spas Pretending to Be Surgery Centers

Some med spas blur the line between spa services and actual surgery by:

• Advertising “surgical-looking” results while only offering injections or devices
• Being vague about who actually performs treatments

AestheticMatch keeps this distinction clear:

• Non-surgical treatments are matched to appropriate licensed providers
• Surgical procedures are reserved for board-certified plastic surgeons working in proper surgical settings

No Non-Surgeon Injectors for Surgical Consults

If you are considering surgery, you should be consulting with a surgeon, not only with a non-surgeon injector or salesperson.

AestheticMatch’s model centers surgical decision-making on fully trained, board-certified surgeons. Non-surgeon providers may play a role for non-surgical treatments, but they don’t replace the surgeon in surgical cases.

No Corporate-Owned Chain Clinics Without Transparency

High-volume chain clinics can make it hard to know:

• Who your actual surgeon will be
• What training they have
• How much experience they have with your specific procedure

AestheticMatch emphasizes named surgeons whose training, board certification, and facility affiliations are made clear, rather than hiding individuals behind a generic brand.

The Problem With Platforms That Don’t Vet Credentials

Many large platforms allow almost any provider to:

• Pay for a profile
• Upload photos and a bio
• Start receiving patient inquiries

with little or no primary-source credential verification.

That can lead to situations where:

• Non–board-certified physicians promote high-risk surgeries
• Providers operate outside their core training or in suboptimal facilities
• Patients rely heavily on reviews alone, without understanding the training differences behind the profiles

Professional societies and patient-safety advocates consistently emphasize that board certification and accredited facilities are key safeguards. AestheticMatch’s approach is to build those safeguards into the platform itself by vetting surgeons before they ever appear in your shortlist.

Questions to Ask Any Surgeon (That We Make Sure Are Already Answered)

Even when you’re using a vetted network, you should still ask direct questions like:

• “Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?”
• “Where will my surgery take place, and is that facility accredited?”
• “Who will be providing anesthesia, and what qualifications do they have?”
• “How many of these specific procedures do you perform each year?”
• “What are the most common complications in your practice, and how are they handled?”
• “Can I see before-and-after photos of patients who look similar to me?”

AestheticMatch’s vetting aims to ensure that many of these questions have good answers before you ever get to the consult, but you should still feel empowered to ask them yourself. A reputable surgeon will welcome those questions.

Our Clinical Advisors and Content Standards

When AestheticMatch produces procedure guides, pricing breakdowns, or safety content, it uses clinical advisors and medically informed reviewers to keep information accurate and realistic.

That means the content you see is:

• Focused on safety, realistic expectations, and risk awareness
• Aligned with mainstream standards like board certification and accredited facilities
• Intended to educate, not to over-promise or minimize risk

Even so, this information is general and educational. It is not a substitute for a direct consultation and personalized advice from your own surgeon.

FAQs

Is AestheticMatch run by doctors or medical professionals?

AestheticMatch is a concierge and technology company, not a medical practice. It collaborates with board-certified plastic surgeons and clinical advisors for vetting and content review, but the day-to-day support is delivered by trained concierges rather than surgeons seeing patients under the AestheticMatch name.

Do you only work with board-certified plastic surgeons?

For surgical procedures, the network centers on board-certified plastic surgeons, typically those certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or an equivalent plastic and reconstructive surgery board. Non-surgical treatments may involve other licensed providers, but surgery itself is reserved for surgeons who meet these board-certification standards and additional vetting.

How do I verify a surgeon’s board certification myself?

You can verify a surgeon’s status by:

• Looking up their name on the official board-certification verification tools (for example, ABPS or ABMS resources)
• Confirming their hospital affiliations and privileges
• Asking directly which board they are certified by and in what specialty

If the answers are vague or inconsistent, that’s a strong sign to keep looking.

What if I want a non-surgical procedure—do you still require board certification?

For surgical procedures, board-certified plastic surgeons are the standard. For non-surgical treatments (such as injectables, lasers, and skin devices), AestheticMatch connects you with vetted aesthetic providers whose licensure and training match the treatment type. Surgery, incisions, and operating-room decisions still belong with fully trained, board-certified surgeons.

Can AestheticMatch give me medical advice or recommendations?

No. AestheticMatch can:

• Help you understand general options and terminology.
• Provide education on typical timelines, risks, and recovery themes.
• Help you compare quotes and practical pros and cons.

But it cannot diagnose you, guarantee your candidacy for a procedure, or prescribe a specific treatment plan. All medical advice and final recommendations must come from your own surgeon or licensed medical provider who has examined you and reviewed your health history.