At Elite Aesthetics Guide, being named among the top is not just a popularity contest or client voting scheme. It’s not something you can buy, and it’s not handed out for simply showing up. Every badge we award from State Rising Star to Nation’s Top, is earned through a multi-step selection process that combines peer recognition, objective performance metrics, and human review.
We built this guide to become the gold standard for recognition in the aesthetics industry. That means clarity, fairness, and standards that don’t bend.
Here’s exactly how the selection process works.
1. Nomination
Most professionals begin the journey with a nomination. This can come from:
- A previous badge recipient (Top 10, National Top 100, etc.)
- A peer in the industry
- A client, patient, or referring provider
- Occasionally, a member of our internal research team
For Rising Star categories, nominations must come from someone already awarded at the state or national level.
We never allow self-nomination for national awards. For state-level consideration, self-nomination is permitted only if supported by verifiable client results and a minimum number of third-party endorsements.
2. Eligibility Screening
Once nominated, we verify the following minimum requirements:
- Proper licensure in the state or country where they practice
- Active practice in a licensed or medically supervised location
- No unresolved disciplinary actions, suspensions, or major ethics violations
- Clear digital presence (website or social media showing current work)
Anyone failing this initial screening is disqualified before they ever reach the evaluation stage.
3. Evaluation Criteria
We use a mix of quantitative metrics and qualitative review to evaluate nominees. Each candidate is reviewed individually by multiple members of our internal selection team.
Here’s what we look for:
Clinical Skill & Consistency
- Quality and clarity of work shown across client cases
- Before-and-after outcomes that reflect both artistry and precision
- Consistency in technique and results across skin types, conditions, and ages
Education & Credentials
- Verified training, certifications, and continuing education
- Specialized expertise or advanced modalities (injectables, lasers, lymphatic, etc.)
- Mentorship or leadership in professional education
Reputation & Peer Standing
- Endorsements from industry peers or collaborating professionals
- Client testimonials that emphasize trust, communication, and satisfaction
- Recognition within professional circles, industry publications, or speaking events
Business Practices & Ethics
- Transparency in service pricing and outcomes
- Professionalism in client interaction and public communication
- Ethical boundaries regarding scope of practice and marketing claims
Innovation & Contribution
- Introduction of unique techniques or service models
- Community involvement, education, or outreach
- Development of protocols that influence broader industry practice
4. Ranking & Tier Assignment
Once evaluated, candidates are placed into tiers:
- Top 10 in State: Only 10 providers per category, per state
- State Rising Star: Up to 5 per category, per state
- National Top 100: Selected from the top state-level honorees
- National Top 10: A second round of review determines the 10 most outstanding
- Nation’s Top: One provider per category, per year. The highest honor we offer.
Tiering is not automatic or quota-based. If a state doesn’t have 10 providers who meet the criteria, fewer are awarded. We prioritize quality over filling spots.
5. Peer Voting (National Awards Only)
For national-level badges, a select pool of Top 10 State winners and current National honorees are invited to participate in a peer review.
This voting is anonymous and confidential. We include questions about integrity, innovation, and whether a nominee positively represents the future of the field. Final scores are blended with internal evaluations to determine the rankings.
6. Final Verification
Before any badge is awarded, each recipient is re-screened to ensure:
- Nothing has changed in licensure or public record
- No complaints or major concerns have surfaced during the evaluation window
- They are still actively practicing
In the rare case that new concerns arise, awards may be delayed or withheld entirely.
7. Annual Re-Evaluation
Badges are awarded for the current calendar year. All recipients are subject to annual re-evaluation and must maintain the standards they were selected for.
Inclusion one year does not guarantee renewal the next. In fact, we intentionally limit re-selection for the Nation’s Top badge to prevent monopolization and encourage growth across the industry.
Why This Matters
The aesthetics industry is saturated with titles, influencers, and paid lists. We set out to build something different—something that professionals and clients alike could trust.
This process is slow by design. It’s meant to protect the meaning behind each badge. When someone earns a spot on Elite Aesthetics Guide, they’re not just good at what they do, they’re among the best. And we’ve made sure of it.
Elite Aesthetics Guide exists to recognize and elevate the most respected, results-driven, and trusted professionals in aesthetics — across skincare, injectables, energy devices, and holistic beauty.
Our rankings are built on merit, not marketing. While we offer opportunities for featured visibility, rankings and recognition are never pay-to-play.
Can You Buy a Spot on the Elite Aesthetics Guide?
No. You cannot buy your way onto the Elite Aesthetics Guide. Period.
Every provider listed whether as a Rising Star, Top 10, Top 100, or Nation’s Top, has earned their placement through rigorous evaluation, peer nomination, and merit-based selection. No one pays for placement. No one skips the line.
We’ve seen too many “award” systems in the industry that offer inclusion for a fee. That’s not what this is. If a provider or business is listed on this platform, it means their work, reputation, and impact have been recognized by both experts and peers.
The Role of Sponsors
Sponsors play a valuable role in supporting the visibility and reach of the Elite Aesthetics Guide, but they do not influence who is selected for inclusion.
Providers and locations are chosen through a structured, merit-based process that includes nomination, eligibility screening, peer input, and human evaluation. Being sponsored by or doing business with one of our partners is never a requirement to be included, nor does it guarantee selection.
Here’s how it works:
- Sponsors help promote the platform and support the awards infrastructure (e.g., media distribution, event partnerships, marketing visibility).
- Sponsors do not select or approve candidates. They are not involved in the internal vetting or ranking process.
- If a sponsor, or any well-respected brand or organization in the industry nominates a provider, that nomination is acknowledged as part of the eligibility screening and added to the candidate’s record. However, it is treated the same as any other nomination and does not influence the outcome.
- At the state-to-national level, sponsors may appoint a representative to our voting board, where they are allowed to cast one vote among many as part of the broader peer review panel. This is their only formal input in the selection process.
We maintain strict separation between our editorial, vetting, and recognition processes and any financial partnerships or sponsorships. This is essential to preserving the trust of both providers and the public.