Facial plastic surgery and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures for the face have become popular in recent years. Men and women are turning to facial plastic surgeons to help restore facial symmetry and maintain a youthful appearance.
Whether you’re considering facial plastic surgery for cosmetic reasons or due to a facial nerve injury or trauma, our highly skilled, board-certified facial plastic surgeons are here for you.
Facial plastic surgery is a specialized branch of head and neck surgery. It focuses on improving or reconstructing the appearance of the face and neck. It includes both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures.
At UPMC, our experts specialize in the full spectrum of cosmetic and reconstructive facial plastic surgeries.
Facial plastic surgery procedures, or cosmetic facial plastic surgery, can help to address cosmetic or reconstructive concerns of the:
Reconstructive facial plastic surgery rebuilds or fixes defects of the face due to:
The best time to begin the plastic surgery process depends on you.
It's important for you to:
Facial plastic surgery can restore a more rested, youthful look. It can also help restore self-confidence in your appearance by:
For most facial plastic surgery procedures, you will be under general anesthesia. You won't feel any pain during surgery.
After any surgical procedure, you can expect some discomfort.
Generally, postoperative pain is mild, and we can control it with pain medication. Many people need nothing more than extra-strength acetaminophen for two or three days after surgery.
At UPMC, we inform you about all potential risks before surgery.
We also give you in-depth instructions on pre- and postoperative care to ensure you have a speedy and successful recovery.
It depends on how much work you're having done.
At UPMC, we will discuss specific timeframes during your consultation.
If you are having a procedure in the operating room, you will be asleep during your facial plastic surgery procedure. We will give you either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia to help you sleep and feel comfortable. You will need to bring someone with you to drive you home after surgery.
If you are having an office-based procedure, you will be awake. If needed, we will administer numbing medication.
Discharge varies depending on:
At UPMC, we perform most surgical procedures on a same-day basis.
Several procedures allow patients to go back to work and resume their daily routines right away. Others require a longer recovery time.
Nonsurgical or office-based cosmetic procedures often involve little or no bruising.
Postoperative bruising and swelling from surgical facial cosmetic procedures vary from person to person. They usually start to resolve by the end of the first week. It may take one to three weeks for bruising and swelling to fully go away.
You can easily cover up bruises with makeup, such as a concealer stick.
Any activity that might increase blood pressure may increase the time it takes for postoperative swelling to resolve.
Depending on the facial plastic surgery procedure, you should avoid aerobic activities for at least two to three weeks following surgery. You will need to avoid all contact sports for at least six weeks after rhinoplasty (nasal surgery).
UPMC provides both surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, including:
Learn more about ear, nose, and throat procedures we perform.
You will have permanent results from surgical facial cosmetic procedures that reshape the:
Of course, surgery does not stop the natural aging process.
Nonsurgical procedures, such as Botox® or wrinkle fillers, may need follow-up procedures months to years later.
We recognize that facial plastic surgery is a personal decision. That’s why our team recommends scheduling a free consultation to determine if facial plastic surgery is right for you. We can discuss your specific case and potential treatment options.
There are important qualifications you should look for when considering facial plastic surgery. Board certification is an important benchmark of excellence in a medical specialty.
Doctors certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology must uphold the highest, most rigorous standards for:
Choosing a board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon is a vital factor to consider when researching your options.
UPMC offers the most skilled and highly trained facial plastic surgeons in western Pennsylvania at UPMC Facial Plastic Surgery, located within University Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialists – Shadyside in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Our experts specialize in surgical and nonsurgical facial procedures.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2026-03-01.
