The most important step to take before seeking professional advice about a cosmetic concern is to honestly assess the problem, as you see it: to look critically at yourself and not rely on the opinions of others.

The next step is to become an informed consumer. There is a wealth of free, factual, unbiased information about cosmetic treatments and procedures on this Web site and at WebMD.com. The official Web sites of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (www.plasticsurgery.org) ) and the American Academy of Dermatology (www.aad.org) offer additional information on those specialties, as well as listings of board certified physicians who are members. There are many so-called professional "societies" that do not require board certification in an aesthetic specialty for membership. However, the information they provide may be biased and promotional in tone. Avoid these Web sites and stick with the sources mentioned above to be sure you receive valid, objective information.

After you've read up on your condition, determine whether a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist is the right choice for your treatment. This is not always easy to tell. Specialties overlap, particularly where the face is concerned. Generally speaking, breast surgery, abdominal liposuction and tummy tucks, facelifts, and eyelid surgery are best left to skilled plastic surgeons. Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists also perform rhinoplasty (nose surgery) expertly and may be the right choice if sinus or breathing problems are involved.

Conditions affecting the skin's surface, including fine facial lines, hair, and nails, are normally the province of dermatologists. Many patients today favor Botox and other injectable substances or fillers. These are quite effective and safe when the aging changes are subtle or early. For these treatments, either a dermatologist or plastic surgeon can do an excellent job. Be sure to inquire about the doctor's experience with the procedure and ask to see photographs of post-operative results.

When treating patients with early signs of aging, there's a tendency among practitioners to simply fill in facial lines and folds. This is a valid approach: The procedures are safe and relatively inexpensive, and often can be done over a lunch hour. However, the results are only temporary. There is a danger in prolonging the use of these minimally invasive techniques beyond the point at which they are truly effective. Over the long term, injectables may cumulatively cost more than a facelift, with no lasting result. Facelifts today are simpler, safer, and more enduring than ever before, and therefore may be a better solution in the long run.

How can you tell when you should inquire about a facelift? A simple test is to look at your face in a mirror while you're standing, when gravity is working against you. Then lie perfectly flat on the floor, with no pillow under your head, and check your reflection again. If there's a fold of skin in front of your ear, a facelift may be in order. The problem is extra skin, and fillers or lasers will not effectively handle it.

Today, the trend in aesthetic surgery is toward minimal incisions, thorough repair, extreme safety, and short recovery time — with long-lasting results. No longer must you wait to take action until signs of aging are extremely obvious.

Once you've determined whether you need to see a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon, you will want to assemble a list of possible physicians and check their professional and ethical qualifications. The best place to begin is by asking your primary care physician and trusted friends for recommendations. Any referral your family internist, pediatrician, or gynecologist gives you will almost certainly be someone whose skill and reputation your doctor can vouch for. Knowledgeable friends who've had similar procedures and are happy with the results are also valuable sources of endorsements of a doctor's skill and empathy.

After you've gathered names, make sure to confirm each doctor's training and credentials. This information is easy to find online: type the doctor's name into a search engine. To check that the doctor is board certified, contact the American Board of Medical Specialties, at www.abms.com, or (866) ASK-ABMS. (The certifying organization for plastic surgeons is the American Board of Plastic Surgeons; for dermatologists, the American Board of Dermatology.) To find out if any disciplinary action has been taken against the doctor, contact your state medical board. (For the address, see www.plasticsurgerydoctors.org.) To check if any malpractice suits are pending against the doctor, contact the clerk of your county or circuit court. Your objective at this stage is to narrow your search to three or four doctors to consult for their opinions.

When you interview a doctor, be sure they address your concerns directly and do not recommend additional, unrequested treatments. Beware of practitioners who give you a hard sell or pass you along to office assistants before fully understanding your needs and wants. Watch out for doctors who make extravagant claims or offer deeply discounted surgery. Ask to see results of similar procedures and possibly to talk with some of their patients. Find out how the doctor provides follow-up care and deals with any problems encountered during the recovery period. Even if the surgery will be performed in the doctor's office, ask if the surgeon has admitting privileges at a reputable hospital, in case of emergency or complications. Check out the condition of the physician's office and the courtesy of his staff. A good doctor runs a professional and efficient practice.

Will there be a fee for consultation? Most likely. Free information is worth what you pay for it. A professional opinion is worth paying for. The advice you receive will serve you in good stead, whether in making decisions about your treatment or in evaluating physicians' opinions.

Once you've seen several doctors, if their approach is similar, you can feel comfortable going ahead with the recommended treatment. Look for similarities in the physicians' point of view. Competent surgeons will usually be in accord on most concerns, and they should provide you with enough information so you can make a reasoned decision about which course of treatment to follow.

Your final task will be to select the doctor to perform the procedure. Choose your plastic surgeon or dermatologist with the same care you would use in choosing a heart surgeon. Mistakes on the face are hard to hide — and no result in plastic surgery lasts longer than a bad one.