Harinder S. Chahal
MD, FACS
Specializing in cosmetic surgery of the eyelids, face, and neck in Bakersfield, California.
3×
Voted Best Plastic Surgeon in Bakersfield, CA
Specialized Training & Expertise
Dr. Chahal is the only surgeon in the Central Valley to have earned fellowship in three leading surgical organizations: the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), the American Society of Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), and the American College of Surgeons (FACS). He is also the only surgeon in Central California who is a diplomate of both the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery and the American Board of Ophthalmology.
His surgical training spans several highly specialized disciplines. Building on a foundation in the precise microsurgical techniques of eye surgery, Dr. Chahal completed a two-year fellowship in oculofacial plastic surgery at the University of Iowa, widely recognized as one of the premier centers for oculofacial surgical training. His advanced training focused exclusively on surgery of the eyelid, face, and neck regions. His continued pursuit of advanced training in facial cosmetic surgery ultimately led to his becoming a Diplomate of the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery.
Dr. Chahal also remains closely involved in academic medicine and surgical education. He serves as Adjunct Clinical Faculty in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, where he participates in the education and surgical training of residents and fellows in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He has authored 12 journal publications and three book chapters, with work appearing in journals including JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and The Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Journal. He has also delivered invited lectures on oculofacial plastic surgery, facial trauma, and surgical anatomy and has received awards for both his research and teaching.
Dr. Chahal has participated in medical missions providing specialty surgical care in Honduras, Mexico, and India. Locally, he was voted Best Plastic Surgeon in The Bakersfield Californian’s Readers’ Choice Poll in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Bachelor’s degree, high distinction
Doctor of Medicine
Internship
Residency — Ophthalmology
Two-year fellowship — Oculofacial plastic surgery
Clinical Instructor — Facial Plastic Surgery Fellowship
Practice & Academic Medicine
Dr. Chahal’s practice is limited exclusively to surgery of the eyelids, face, and neck. This specialized practice reflects years of multidisciplinary training in ophthalmic, oculofacial, and facial plastic surgery.
He has authored numerous book chapters and peer-reviewed publications and received awards for both research and teaching. He remains actively involved in surgical education as a faculty member at the UC Davis School of Medicine, where he holds appointments in both Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery, and Ophthalmology. For the past seven years, he has also served as an instructor in the UC Davis Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship.
Dr. Chahal has participated in numerous medical mission trips to areas where specialty surgical care is limited or unavailable, including Honduras, Mexico, and India. He was also voted Best Plastic Surgeon in the Bakersfield Californian’s Readers’ Choice Poll in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Twelve Years of Training
Ophthalmology first, then facial plastic surgery — a sequence very few surgeons complete.
Bachelor’s degree, high distinction
Doctor of Medicine
Internship
Residency — Ophthalmology
Two-year fellowship — Oculofacial plastic surgery
Faculty — Otolaryngology & Ophthalmology
Triple Fellowship
The only surgeon in the Central Valley holding fellowship in the AAFPRS, ASOPRS, and the American College of Surgeons.
Double Board Certified
Central California’s only surgeon certified by both the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery and the American Board of Ophthalmology.
Best Plastic Surgeon
Voted Best Plastic Surgeon in the Bakersfield Californian’s Reader’s Choice Poll — 2023, 2024, and 2025.
A Product of the Central Valley
A Full Spectrum of Eye & Facial Care
Current conditions treated and services offered across cosmetic, functional, and reconstructive care.
- Aging (facial / neck rejuvenation — surgical & non-surgical)
- Aesthetic injections (Botox, fillers, Kybella, etc.)
- Anophthalmos
- Brow Ptosis
- Blepharospasm
- Canalicular lacerations
- Congenital eyelid & orbito-facial malformations
- Dermatochalasis
- Deformity (aesthetic / functional)
- Epiphora / tear duct problems
- Eyelid malpositions (ectropion / entropion / retraction)
- Eyelid skin lesions / cancer
- Facial skin lesions / cancer (excision & reconstruction)
- Facial nerve palsy
- Facial fractures / trauma / reconstruction
- Hemi-facial spasm
- Hyperlacrimation
- Hyperhidrosis
- Laceration repair (face, neck, ears, lips, scalp)
- Mohs reconstruction — face
- Orbital disease / tumors
- Ptosis
- Punctal stenosis
- Scar revision / treatment
- Skin rejuvenation / resurfacing (face / neck)
- Scalp lipoma removal
- Tear duct obstruction
- Thyroid eye disease
- Torn ear lobe repair
- Trichiasis
Don’t see your specific concern listed? Dr. Chahal welcomes referrals and consultations for a wide range of eyelid, orbital, and facial conditions — get in touch