The best plastic surgery is the one that is undetectable to the average eye. That’s the guiding principle of Dr. Steven R. Cohen, MD, founder and medical director of FacesPlus and clinical professor of plastic surgery at UC San Diego. Renowned for blending surgical precision with an artist’s eye, Dr. Cohen delivers results that are natural, subtle, and enduring…where each patient looks refreshed, never altered.

Dr. Cohen isn’t your average aesthetic surgeon. His résumé features some of the most prestigious names in medicine including Columbia-Presbyterian, the University of Pennsylvania, and UCLA. As a clinical professor at UC San Diego, he’s spent decades fusing craniofacial expertise with the creative vision of a visual artist, leading the way in regenerative medicine for patients worldwide.

From the Science Lab to the Studio

Early in his career, Dr. Cohen was captivated by a TV program on craniofacial surgery. The transformative power of reconstructive procedures spoke to his innate desire to create and heal. But it wasn’t just the technical challenge that inspired him, it was the artistry, the ability to sculpt, shape, and restore. Diagnosed with dyslexia as a child, Dr. Cohen learned to think differently early on. That “different” became his superpower, driving a career defined by creative problem-solving and relentless innovation.

FacesPlus embodies Dr. Cohen’s belief that every face has a story and that responsible change requires restraint, patience, and respect for what already exists. His philosophy, shaped by decades of reconstructive and cosmetic work, helps patients recover not just form, but confidence and identity. Each plan is highly individualized, preserving what makes every person unique.

The Regenerative Revolution

At FacesPlus, surgical techniques are tailored to each individual, emphasizing natural contouring and restoration rather than dramatic change. Dr. Cohen is a pioneer in regenerative methods like facial fat grafting and stem-cell-assisted procedures, using the body’s own materials to rejuvenate tissue for long-lasting, organic-looking results. Innovations like Lipocube, Nanofat, and Injectable Tissue Replacement & Regeneration (ITR/ITR²) have set new standards in the field.

His philosophy is that real beauty is about harmony, not perfection. “Plastic surgery should never look ‘done,’” Cohen insists. “When you take an artist’s eye to the human face, you see beauty in balance, subtlety, and proportion. Regenerative techniques allow us to work with the body’s own materials, not just to change appearance, but to foster health and longevity.”

FacesPlus is Standing Out

Dr. Cohen’s pioneering techniques have influenced facial surgery worldwide. His work has earned him recognition from Newsweek, Castle Connolly, US News & World Report, and the top facelift surgeon title in Southern California, one of America’s most competitive regions. But for Dr. Cohen, it’s about setting new standards, not collecting accolades.

For Dr. Cohen and his team, the priority is patient experience – Personalized and discreet care, and results that look refreshed, never “done” is the hallmark of the Faces+ experience. Every consultation is an open and honest conversation, with the goal of helping prospective patients look and feel their best while honoring their natural identity. Every consultation is a conversation, with the goal of helping people look and feel their best while honoring their natural identity.

Shaping the Future of Beauty

Dr. Cohen’s art, both in the studio and the operating room, reflects his commitment to stewardship over transformation. As a mentor and frequent lecturer, he continues to inspire a new generation of surgeons to approach their craft with creativity and respect for the individual.

That legacy is still unfolding. Dr. Cohen envisions a future where regenerative plastic surgery, informed by longevity science, becomes the new gold standard. “We’re just beginning to scratch the surface of what’s possible,” he says. “With every innovation, we move closer to a world where facial surgery is safer, more natural, and fundamentally life-enhancing.”

Beauty, Reinvented

For those considering facial rejuvenation, Dr. Cohen’s approach is defined by subtlety, natural beauty, and individualized care. Where science and artistry come together to help patients look like themselves, only better. With Dr. Cohen, beauty is lasting, personal, and always authentic.