A growing number of medical students are choosing to enter into dermatology and plastic surgery, and despite the potential financial benefits the profession offers, candidates are chosen for their professional qualifications, and not on a skin-deep basis, dermatology experts said.

Skin programs have attracted more students because dermatologists and plastic surgeons do not collect from insurance companies, meaning simpler patient processing and more money to pay off high medical school debts, said Georgia Andrianopoulos, a trained psychologist and executive director of residency review committees for the Accreditation Council for Graduate Educational Medicine.

Skin program application rates across the country increased 20 percent in 2007 over 2006 figures, she said.

Andrianopoulos and Brian Hugins, American Society of Plastic Surgeons spokesman, said most students seek cosmetic residencies for the financial benefits, but said people consult cosmetic doctors because they genuinely need medical help.

“[Those who seek cosmetic residences] cut corners to limit money and benefits,” he said. “It’s more of a greed aspect.”

Hugins said though some plastic surgeons might be chosen based on their physical appearance, the plastic surgeons he knows are not attractive.

“It is illegal to be doing something off of looks,” he said. “Hopefully the interviewee is based off of grades. Anything beyond that would be a little shady.”

James Becker, the chief of surgery at Boston Medical Center, said when faculty members interview residency applicants, they judge the potential doctors based on their national boards scores, grades, letters of recommendations and interview skills. He said the process is “all objective.”

Becker said they did not choose the five accepted students out of 1,000 applicants based on appearance.

“There aren’t offers made in the back room,” he said. “When you see the applicants in the flesh, it doesn’t have to be how good looking and how Hollywood they are — you are judging their poise and ability to think on their feet.”

Many students attracted to dermatology have had skin issues that their dermatologists have helped them overcome, said Marie-France Demierre, Boston Medical Center skin oncology director.

“You have to be able to present yourself, but attractiveness is not a determining factor,” Demierre said. “If you come in wearing old ragged clothes, you will probably not be accepted. You have to look professional.”