New Patient Appointment Accepting Virtual Visits or 214-645-2353
Jeffrey M. Kenkel, M.D., FACS, is the Betty and Warren Woodward Chair in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Professor and Chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center. In addition, he holds the Rod J. Rohrich, M.D., Distinguished Professorship in Wound Healing and Plastic Surgery. He is the Director of the Clinical Center for Cosmetic Laser Treatment. Dr. Kenkel specializes in cosmetic surgery of the face, laser treatments, skin care, injectables, and nonsurgical facial rejuvenation.
Dr. Kenkel earned his medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine, where he also completed a residency in general surgery. He completed an additional residency in plastic surgery at UT Southwestern. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a past member of its board.
Dr. Kenkel's clinical practice focuses on nonsurgical and surgical rejuvenation of the face. In addition to surgery involving the brow, eyes and face, Dr. Kenkel has a large number of devices to treat and improve the skin.
His research focuses primarily on laser- and light-based devices and their tissue interaction, as well as advancements in facial skin treatments. He helped develop a noninvasive imaging center to help assess the aging process and the effect of devices on aging.
He has authored more than 200 scientific articles and textbook chapters on laser, facial, and body-contouring surgery. He is Editor of Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum and Associate Editor of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, becoming its Editor in January of 2024. He remains actively involved in the education of plastic surgeons around the country, speaking on nonsurgical and surgical options for facial rejuvenation.
A past President of the Aesthetic Society and the Dallas Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Kenkel is also a member of the Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Texas Medical Association, the Dallas County Medical Society, the Association of Academic Chairmen of Plastic Surgery, the American College of Surgeons, the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and the American Association of Plastic Surgeons.
A D Magazine Best Doctor and Texas Monthly Super Doctor, Dr. Kenkel also has been named as a U.S. News & World Report Best Doctor and one of America's Top Plastic Surgeons, and he appears in the media regularly to comment on plastic surgery issues. His appearances have included Newsweek, Allure, CNN, WFAA, Good Morning America, The New York Times, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and many other media outlets.
Dr. Kenkel has been a team physician for the Dallas Stars since 1996.
Dr. Kenkel was born and raised in the Washington, D.C., area but moved to Dallas over 25 years ago. He and his wife, Suzanne, have enjoyed raising their son and daughter, Matthew and Ashley, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Dr. Kenkel’s outside interests include golf, hockey, wakesurfing, Peloton, music, and nutrition. The Kenkels are avid animal lovers. They have rescued several dogs and volunteer as a family at the DFW Humane Society.
Jeffrey Kenkel, M.D., FACS, is an internationally recognized expert in cosmetic plastic surgery of the face. As Chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery at UT Southwestern, Dr. Kenkel offers his patients the latest innovations in nonsurgical and surgical facial procedures at the UT Southwestern Plastic Surgery Clinics in Dallas and Frisco.
A D Magazine Best Doctor and Texas Monthly Super Doctor, Dr. Kenkel is known for combining new research with refined surgical techniques.
“For patients seeking cosmetic surgery, laser treatment, or facial rejuvenations, our goal is always optimal safety, comfort, and results,” he says, allowing patients "to look as good as they feel.”
Dr. Kenkel says that the best results come from a partnership between him and his patients, so he makes accessibility to his patients a top priority.
“It’s important to listen to the patient's goals and objectives and understand their lifestyle and ability for downtime after surgery. Knowing this allows me to better tailor my recommendations to meet their needs and expectations,” Dr. Kenkel says.
As a result, he takes time to answer any questions a patient might have before, during, or after a procedure.
He notes that his surgical expertise is only part of achieving the best possible outcomes. There also must be a commitment by the patient to embrace a healthy lifestyle including skin care, eating right, and being physically active each day.
“Protection from the sun, not smoking, and reducing sugar and carbs can go a long way,” Dr. Kenkel says.
Before a skin peel, laser facial rejuvenation, an eye lift, a face lift, or a combination of these options, Dr. Kenkel works with each of his patients to create a strategy that will be successful for him or her.
“I believe that looking one’s best is just one element of true health,” he says.
Additionally, Dr. Kenkel feels “conservative” and “natural” changes through plastic surgery allow patients to look and feel like they used to rather than an “overdone” or “exaggerated” appearance.
“The doctor-patient relationship is invaluable, and it’s important our beliefs align.”
As an experienced facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Kenkel feels one of his main strengths is reviewing the spectrum of available nonsurgical options – such as peels, laser treatments, and facial rejuvenation – as well as surgical treatment options with each patient and together determining which options will allow the patient to achieve the desired outcome.
“I have all the tools at my disposal and will put together a program that matches the patient's goals. At times, it might make the most sense to combine both nonsurgical and surgical options. A patient might opt for a laser treatment to smooth out the skin’s tone and texture and a facelift to tackle volume loss and sagging that comes with age,” Dr. Kenkel says.
Throughout his career, Dr. Kenkel has been involved in research to develop and test new innovations in plastic surgery. His current research focus is developing laser- and light-based therapies and determining their interactions with the skin, focusing on the aging process. Dr. Kenkel has recently published studies focused on treating pigmentation and energy-based microneedling.
"New technologies give us more treatment options for our patients,” Dr. Kenkel says. “UT Southwestern is on the leading edge of plastic surgery research and innovation, so my patients can count on our knowledge of current trends in plastic surgery and what’s effective and safe – as well as insights into new discoveries."
Dr. Kenkel has been practicing at UT Southwestern since 1996 and has watched the institution evolve.
“I’m proud to be part of an establishment that has grown into the number one hospital in Texas, with top-notch physicians and a high standard of excellence in clinical care.”
Outside his clinical practice and research efforts, Dr. Kenkel takes great satisfaction in training the next generation of plastic surgeons at UT Southwestern, as well as educating surgeons around the country and the world about new advances and techniques. UT Southwestern remains the top plastic surgery training program in the country as noted by U.S. News and World Report.
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New Patient Appointment Accepting Virtual Visits or 214-645-2353
