Why You Should Choose a Facial Plastic Surgeon Over a Plastic Surgeon for Your Facial Procedure
Blog updated: August 13, 2026
The difference between the two specialties is what sets Carolina Facial Plastics apart as the premier boutique aesthetics practice in Charlotte, NC. As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Jonathan Kulbersh specializes in facial plastic surgery and has dedicated his career to ensuring that his patients receive the expert care and natural-looking results they deserve.
While many patients think that a plastic surgeon is the same as a facial plastic surgeon, having a clear understanding of the two specialties can help patients make an informed decision about what kind of doctor they choose to receive treatment from.
What is the Difference Between a Facial Plastic Surgeon and a Plastic Surgeon?
A plastic surgeon is trained to perform reconstructive and cosmetic surgery across multiple areas of the body, making them versatile enough to address aesthetic and functional concerns virtually anywhere, including the face, breasts, and body. A facial plastic surgeon, on the other hand, has specialized training and extensive experience focused specifically on the face, head, and neck, with a deep understanding of facial structure, function, and aesthetics.
Both specialties require extensive surgical education, and there is overlap in knowledge and skill. However, a facial plastic surgeon typically spends the majority of their training and practice concentrating on facial procedures, which can provide a higher level of focused experience for patients seeking surgery of the face or neck.
For patients considering facial surgery, the surgeon’s training, board certification, experience with the specific procedure, and the number of facial procedures they routinely perform are important factors to consider.
What is a Plastic Surgeon?
A plastic surgeon can work anywhere on the body. A plastic surgeon is versatile in this respect, which can be a benefit; however, it also means that he or she is not necessarily a specialist in cosmetic surgery for any specific part of the body.
A crucial aspect of becoming a plastic surgeon is that he or she must be certified and verified in plastic and reconstructive surgery through both the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery (AOBS).
A candidate member can register his or her profile as a physician at both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
Plastic surgeons are trained and certified in plastic and reconstructive procedures that include tummy tucks and breast augmentations. They can perform reconstructive or cosmetic procedures on the entire body, including places like the hands and buttocks. To learn more about plastic surgeons, please visit facs.org.
What is a Facial Plastic Surgeon?
Compared to plastic surgeons, becoming a facial plastic surgeon is much more nuanced; it’s a more specialized profession in which the surgeon focuses exclusively on facial structures.
A facial plastic surgeon first becomes an ENT physician (an ear, nose, and throat specialist) and gains a complete, thorough knowledge of the face, its structures, and its functions. As a result, a facial plastic surgeon is an ideal choice to perform jawline augmentations, rhinoplasties, and other procedures on the face.
A facial plastic surgeon must be certified and verified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS). A surgeon who is certified in another specialty, such as general plastic surgery or otolaryngology (ENT specialist), commonly complete a fellowship with and be certified through the ABFPRS.
A facial plastic surgeon is also trained and certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to perform plastic surgery on the head and neck. This means that, except for work on the brain and teeth, he or she can perform procedures on the soft and bony tissue of anything above the shoulders, including:
- Face
- Nose
- Neck
- Ears
- Sinuses
- Skull base
A facial plastic surgeon is either a plastic surgeon or an ENT surgeon who is also board certified by the ABMS and has additional training focused exclusively on the face, neck, and nose.
A Brief Look at Procedures Performed by Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Kulbersh
Neck Lift (Lower Rhytidectomy)
A neck lift addresses skin laxity in the neck by tightening the skin and revitalizing the appearance of the neck. Although results vary, it can have the added effect of restoring definition to the jaw.
Visit our neck lift photo gallery for more before and after photos of this procedure.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
A blepharoplasty can brighten tired-looking eyes by addressing droopy eyelids and/or reducing under-eye bagginess. For some patients, a blepharoplasty is transformative, as it often revitalizes the entire eye area.
Visit our blepharoplasty photo gallery for more before and after photos of this procedure.
Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
A rhinoplasty can improve both the appearance and function of the nose by reshaping the internal and external structures of the nose, making it appear more proportional to the face, and/or restoring proper breathing capabilities. Some patients even see improvement in facial symmetry following a rhinoplasty.
Visit our rhinoplasty photo gallery for more before and after photos of this procedure.
Choose a Facial Plastic Surgeon in Charlotte, NC for Your Facial Procedure
Dr. Kulbersh was trained in Beverly Hills under the most renowned facial plastic surgeons in the world, Dr. Paul Nassif (as seen on Botched, Dr. 90210, and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills), and Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, who has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Dr. Kulbersh provides thorough facial analysis to create a customized treatment plan that helps patients reach their aesthetic goals.
To learn more about facial plastic surgery, contact Carolina Facial Plastics online or by calling our Charlotte plastic surgery clinic.
Jonathan Kulbersh, MD, is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and founder of Carolina Facial Plastics in Charlotte, North Carolina. With more than 20 years of experience, he specializes exclusively in cosmetic procedures for the face and neck, including rhinoplasty, facelift surgery, and blepharoplasty. Dr. Kulbersh is also recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor.
