Plastic surgery practices are experimenting with Snapchat because it offers a real, unfiltered way to connect with patients. While Snapchat may feel like a recent addition to the aesthetic space, it has been around since 2011. Early adopters like Dr. Miami have reaped the benefits by being one of the firsts to the scene. With 3.7 million subscribers and a waitlist of up to 2 years, it’s no wonder people are buzzing about what Snapchat can do for plastic surgery practices.
Let’s explore why more and more healthcare practices are experimenting with Snapchat as part of their social media strategy.
There are fewer restrictions
Both Facebook and Instagram have strict rules against nudity. For example, Instagram’s community guidelines clearly state that nudity is generally not allowed (with very few exceptions). Unfortunately, we’ve seen numerous accounts disabled or terminated as a result of sharing before and after images. Ouch! This is exactly what happened to Dr. Miami and the reason he decided to try Snapchat. Snapchat currently allows plastic surgery practices to showcase patient results, and even share graphic footage of surgeons performing procedures.
You can reach new audiences
It’s no secret that millennials aren’t actively using Facebook, but are very active on Snapchat. While millennials might not be the target audience for most aesthetic practices, Carlos Gill, the global head of social media for BMC Software, believes millennials will ultimately outspend baby boomers in the coming years. This demographic is more open to the idea of investing in their self-care with nonsurgical and surgical procedures, likely fueled by celebrities like Kylie Jenner who openly share their procedures on social media. Snapchat can be a great way for the younger demographic to get educated, research doctors, and consider different treatments and procedures for the future.
It doesn’t need to be perfect.
Content for Snapchat is created entirely on your mobile device, so there’s no need for professional equipment or extensive editing. That’s a major advantage for practices, since video production can otherwise be time-consuming and expensive. You can also save any photo or video you create and repurpose it across other platforms. Just as importantly, patients tend to respond well to this kind of content because it feels more authentic, less polished, and ultimately more trustworthy.
Is Snapchat the Right Fit For Your Practice?
Like all social platforms, Snapchat isn’t right for every practice, so it’s important to measure your results, track time and investments, and ensure this is a smart use of your resources. That’s where our team comes in. We help you leverage the best social media platforms to build your reputation and enhance your visibility.
We invite you to reach out to our team to explore ways to strengthen your practice’s social media strategy—and share your opinion on this hot topic in the comment section below!
This blog post was originally published in July 2016, updated in 2023, and last updated in May 2026.
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