Facial plastic surgery patients are especially discerning and have exceptionally high expectations for good reason: when you’re making changes to the most visible and recognizable part of you—your face—who you choose to perform the surgery matters just as much as which procedures you choose.
A specialized facial plastic surgeon is trained to evaluate the face and neck as an integrated system. Structure, symmetry, scarring, airway function, eyelid mechanics, and aging patterns all intersect, changing how surgery is planned, performed, and refined.
Below, we’ll break down what specialization really means, why it matters for the most sought-after facial procedures, and how Dr. Yael Halaas—a leading facial plastic surgeon in NYC—approaches them.
What “Specialized” Actually Means In Facial Plastic Surgery
In facial plastic surgery, specialization requires mastery, academic leadership, and accountability. It reflects focused training and a career devoted exclusively to the face, neck, and hair.
Dr. Yael Halaas represents this level of specialization at its highest standard. Recognized as the leading female facial plastic surgeon in New York City and a premier hair restoration specialist on the East Coast, Dr. Halaas’s practice is defined by depth of expertise rather than breadth of procedures.
Credentials That Define Facial Specialization
Dr. Halaas is double board-certified by:
- The American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
- The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
She is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), highlighting her excellence in surgical training and ethics.
Leadership, Innovation & Global Influence
True specialization also means advancing the field. Dr. Halaas is:
- A Key Opinion Leader and international speaker for major aesthetic and medical device companies
- A clinical investigator involved in multiple FDA trials for emerging facial and regenerative technologies
- A respected educator who has trained thousands of physicians worldwide in rhinoplasty, facial rejuvenation, injectables, lasers, and hair restoration
Additionally, she collaborates with many of the most influential companies in aesthetic medicine, helping guide the development and responsible use of new technologies.
Education Shaped by Art and Academic Medicine
Dr. Halaas’s surgical philosophy is informed by both artistic training and academic rigor:
- Art History, Columbia University, cultivating a refined aesthetic sensibility
- Cornell University Medical College, graduating in the top 10% of her class, Alpha Omega Alpha
- General surgery internship and otolaryngology residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Advanced facial plastic surgery fellowship through the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
- Assistant Clinical Professor at Albert Einstein, where she continues to teach residents
Safety, Accreditation & Surgical Environment
Dr. Halaas performs surgery in her private, nationally accredited facility, designed to deliver both safety and comfort. As an AAASF operating room inspector, she has personally ensured her surgical environment meets the most rigorous national standards. This uncommon distinction reinforces her leadership in patient safety and quality of care.
The Specialist Advantage
Dr. Halaas believes the face and neck must be treated as an integrated, functional system, never as isolated features. Below is how her specialist perspective distinctly influences the most requested facial procedures:
Facelift
Dr. Halaas does not approach a facelift as skin tightening, but as structural facial restoration.
Her approach includes:
- Evaluating aging at the deeper muscular and connective tissue level, not just the skin
- Selecting lift vectors that restore natural facial anatomy rather than creating tension
- Meticulous incision placement and closure to ensure minimal, well-hidden scarring
- Designing each facelift to flow seamlessly into the jawline and neck for balanced rejuvenation
- Prioritizing results that preserve identity and expression
Deep Plane Facelift
The deep plane facelift is one of the most technically demanding facial procedures—one that Dr. Halaas performs selectively and deliberately.
In these cases, she:
- Works beneath the superficial layers to reposition the SMAS and deeper facial structures
- Releases key retaining ligaments to achieve true anatomical elevation
- Applies advanced anatomical knowledge to protect facial nerves during deep dissection
- Chooses the deep plane technique based on individual anatomy, not trend
Blepharoplasty
Dr. Halaas approaches eyelid surgery with equal emphasis on function, safety, and aesthetics.
Her specialist methodology includes:
- A precise understanding of eyelid mechanics, support, and tear function
- Conservative tissue removal or repositioning to avoid hollowing or lid distortion
- Incisions placed within natural eyelid creases—or internally when appropriate—to minimize visible scarring
- Preservation of eye shape, symmetry, and expression
Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is a cornerstone of Dr. Halaas’s practice. Her specialized approach involves:
- Evaluating the nose in relation to the entire face
- Preserving and reinforcing cartilage support for long-term structural stability
- Addressing airway function and breathing as part of aesthetic planning
- Selecting open or closed techniques based on complexity and anatomy
Lip Augmentation
Dr. Halaas performs lip enhancement with artistry, restraint, and anatomical precision.
She:
- Assesses the lips in proportion to the nose, chin, jawline, and overall facial harmony
- Chooses between injectable and surgical options based on anatomy, goals, and longevity
- Enhances volume and definition while preserving natural movement and expression
- Avoids overcorrection to maintain elegance and balance; the goal is enhancement, not exaggeration
Neck Lift
For Dr. Halaas, the neck is an essential extension of the face. Her neck lift approach includes:
- Identifying the structural cause of aging, whether skin laxity, fat accumulation, or platysmal banding
- Performing cervicoplasty, platysmaplasty, or a combination, tailored to anatomy
- Sculpting the jawline-to-neck transition for clean, youthful definition
- Integrating neck rejuvenation with facial procedures when appropriate
Learn More About Dr. Halaas’ Perspective on Facial Plastic Surgery
Choosing a specialized facial plastic surgeon means trusting your care to someone whose training, daily practice, and decision-making are focused entirely on this complex area of anatomy. A qualified surgeon is prepared to balance aesthetics with function, precision with safety, and visible improvement with long-term integrity.
Dr. Yael Halaas embodies this philosophy in every aspect of her work— from how she evaluates anatomy and selects techniques to her emphasis on achieving natural results, ensuring patient safety, and prioritizing durability over trends. Her extensive specialization enables her to make careful surgical choices that protect expression, preserve identity, and enhance overall harmony without making drastic changes.
To learn more about what sets Dr. Halaas apart as one of NYC’s leading facial plastic surgeons, schedule a consultation with her today.