Facial Plastic Surgery in Irvine

When considering facial plastic surgery in Irvine, one of the most important decisions is choosing a plastic surgeon who understands both your goals and the features that can enhance your beauty.

For many patients, this goes beyond technical skill. It requires a deep understanding of Asian facial anatomy and aesthetic sensibility—knowing how to highlight features while maintaining natural balance and harmony.

Dr. Kenneth Kim is a board-certified plastic surgeon known for his expertise in Asian plastic surgery, with many patients traveling from Irvine and Orange County for procedures such as Asian eyelid surgery, Asian rhinoplasty, facelift surgery for Asian patients, and facial bone contouring.

A Specialized Approach to Asian Facial Aesthetics

Asian facial plastic surgery is not defined by a single technique, but by a detailed understanding of:

Facial structure and proportions
Skin thickness and tissue characteristics
Asian aesthetic preferences and how to achieve natural, balanced results within those preferences

Techniques designed for Western facial structures—and the aesthetic sensibility behind them—do not always translate appropriately when applied to Asian facial features.

Dr. Kim’s approach to facial cosmetic surgery procedures in Irvine focuses on refinement—enhancing features in a way that remains consistent with each patient’s natural appearance.

Asian Eyelid Surgery (Double Eyelid, Ptosis, and Revision Surgery)

Asian eyelid surgery—also known as Asian upper blepharoplasty or double eyelid surgery—is one of the most commonly requested procedures among Asian patients..

This procedure involves much more than creating a supratarsal crease. It may include:

Creating a natural-looking double eyelid fold in patients with monolids
Correcting asymmetrical eyelid creases
Adjusting fold height based on patient preference
Refining or correcting previous eyelid surgery
Addressing functional concerns such as eyelid ptosis

Eyelid ptosis is the weakening of the levator muscle, which can cause a drooping eyelid and, in some cases, affect vision. It may also lead patients to compensate by raising their eyebrows and activating the forehead muscles, which can contribute to forehead strain, more prominent lines, and headaches.

Dr. Kim specializes in:

Primary double eyelid surgery
Revision double eyelid surgery
Eyelid ptosis correction

He has delivered lectures nationally and internationally on upper eyelid surgery and ptosis correction and has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in this area.

Asian Rhinoplasty (Augmentation and Structural Refinement)

Asian rhinoplasty often differs from traditional rhinoplasty approaches.

Many patients seek augmentation and structural refinement, rather than reduction alone. The goal is to enhance the nose while maintaining harmony with the rest of the face.

Dr. Kim takes a highly individualized approach based on:

Facial proportions
Nasal structure and skin thickness
Patient-specific aesthetic goals

Techniques may include:

Autologous cartilage rhinoplasty (including rib cartilage)
Permanent cartilage injections

Targeted procedures such as alarplasty, tip plasty, and hump reduction
Specialized rhinoplasty procedures including alar-lowering surgery to reduce nostril flaring and excessive alar show

His extensive experience in both primary and revision rhinoplasty allows for a deeper understanding of the nuances required for natural, elegant, long-lasting results.

Facelift Surgery for Asian Patients

Facelift surgery for Asian patients requires a specialized approach due to differences in:

Skin thickness and density
Soft tissue weight
Facial shape and structure

Rather than simply tightening the skin, Dr. Kim’s facelift techniques focus on:

Repositioning deeper facial layers
Restoring contour and structure
Achieving natural, defined results

Whether performing a mini facelift or extended deep plane facelift, Dr. Kim’s approach to facial plastic surgery prodecures in Irvine emphasizes:

Effective elevation / lifting and repositioning
Longer-lasting results
A natural, youthful appearance

Facial Bone Contouring (V-line Jaw Surgery, Cheekbone Reduction, and Genioplasty)

Facial bone contouring surgery requires an advanced understanding of both facial structure and aesthetic balance.

Dr. Kenneth Kim specializes in facial bone contouring procedures commonly sought by Asian patients, including:

V-line jaw contouring surgery
Cheekbone reduction surgery (zygoma reduction)
Chin narrowing procedures
Sliding genioplasty (chin augmentation and repositioning)

Dr. Kim has conducted extensive research and published on advanced facial bone contouring techniques, including osteotomy design and surgical approaches for cheekbone reduction and mandibular (jaw) contouring procedures.

This experience contributes to a detailed understanding of the precision required to achieve natural-looking skeletal refinement in facial bone contouring surgery.

Awake Facial Plastic Surgery Under Local Anesthesia (An Additional Consideration)

Dr. Kim performs most facial procedures in Irvine using local anesthesia only (true awake surgery)—without general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Patients are fully awake and responsive throughout the procedure.

This approach allows:

Avoidance of general anesthesia and IV sedation and its associated risks and complications
Real-time assessment during surgery
Enhanced precision
Smoother and faster recovery

Schedule a Consultation for Facial Plastic Surgery in Irvine

If you are considering facial plastic surgery in Irvine and Orange County, selecting a plastic surgeon with specialized experience in Asian facial aesthetics is essential.

Dr. Kim works with patients from Irvine and the surrounding areas of Orange County to develop highly individualized surgical plans based on anatomy, goals, and aesthetic preferences.

Cutting Edge, Safe Surgery

Expert in healthcare quality and safety

Dr. Kim’s approach to surgery is grounded in science, innovation, and patient safety. He holds a Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety from Harvard Medical School, giving him a formal foundation in clinical quality improvement, risk reduction, and patient safety.

Dr. Kim pursues a higher standard of plastic surgery—one that prioritizes safety, surgical precision, and natural, long-lasting results. His awake plastic surgery maintains your natural physiology, protects cognitive function, and minimizes the risks of general anesthesia and IV sedation. Guided by this philosophy, he continually advances surgical safety and technical innovation, redefining modern surgical care.