Those considering cosmetic surgery may be interested to know that the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) has teamed up with RealSelf.com to provide consumers with a social media platform for discussing and gaining information on plastic surgery.

The partnership will allow ASAPS's 2,400 certified plastic surgeons to provide answers to questions over the internet in an open forum. This will allow others to access the answers and create an online databank of answers to common questions.

As well as answering queries, ASAPS will provide content for RealSelf.com's plastic surgery guides, with both bodies contributing to market research and safety campaigning.

The fact that the partnership is not commercially biased will allow consumers to make the correct informed choices about cosmetic treatment, according to ASAPS president Alan Gold.

"The Aesthetic Society recognises the powerful impact social media has in supporting the consumer's opportunities to learn first hand about cosmetic experiences," he said.

"RealSelf.com has proven itself to be different from other websites in that it represents a consumer community that discusses cosmetic surgery without a commercial bias.

"Our involvement will help consumers make well-informed decisions based on science and facts rather than marketing promises and medically inaccurate information."

The news comes after a UK website was recently launched to help consumers choose the correct treatment and surgeon for them.