Kristin Egan, MD, FACS

Dr. Kristin Egan specializes in facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology. She earned her medical degree at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed a residency program at the University of California, San Francisco. Upon completion, she joined the staff of the school’s Department of Otolaryngology. After a fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery in New York, Dr. Egan opened her practice 11 years ago. 

Tell us about your work. 

I am dual board-certified in otolaryngology head and neck surgery as well as facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. My practice incorporates my surgical skills with a focus on aesthetics and the desire for a more youthful and natural appearance. I am cognizant that a healthy, active lifestyle predominates in the South Bay and that patients desire subtle changes to their appearance to restore an image of themselves that matches how they feel. 

I have won numerous research awards and have published widely, including multiple chapters in the main textbook used to teach facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellows. I have been in Manhattan Beach for 11 years and was a clinical instructor at UCSF before moving to Southern California.

What can patients expect when they visit your office?

I pride myself on taking the time to truly listen to my patients and find what is bothering them. As we age, gravity and sun damage take a toll on our skin and soft tissues. Patients desire a return to the characteristics associated with youth, to look more well-rested or simply to eliminate lines and wrinkles that bother them when they look in the mirror. There are both surgical and less invasive procedures to help achieve these goals. Discussion with each patient to find out his or her goals and desires allows me to better tailor a plan to achieve that.

How do you ensure that your practice is successful?

I treat each patient in the same manner I would treat a family member, and I work hard to ensure that if they need care outside my purview, those concerns are facilitated as expeditiously as possible. I stay in contact with my patients through different means of communication and am always available to address their questions and concerns.

Describe your leadership style. 

In the operating room, the surgeon sets the tone for the whole room. While everyone works as a team, I think it is important to lead well. In order to lead most effectively, I believe a calm, knowledgeable demeanor is vital to keep the team relaxed and focused on the tasks at hand. It is important for everyone to be focused in order to ensure the best results for the patient.

If you could begin again, what would you want to “do over” in your career?

I consider myself extremely fortunate that, despite the hiccups and bumps along the way, I would not want to “do over” anything. I have accomplished a career in the field that fascinates me. I live and work in the beautiful beach community that I only dreamed about growing up. I have a supportive team at work and family/team at home that allow me to practice every day. For that I will be eternally grateful. 

Describe what it’s like to be a woman working in your field.

I have been extremely lucky in my career to have cisgendered males in leadership/mentor relationships who were supportive and encouraging of my ambitions and interests—from medical school to current day. I have been welcomed into the field of surgery, and being a woman has never been used as a reason to exclude me.

What trend is defining your specialty today?

Patients are increasingly requesting less invasive procedures with less recovery time and the ability to return to work quickly. More patients are turning to the multiple in-office services that can be done without general anesthesia or a long recovery period. For those patients who want minimal recovery time and an in-office procedure without the need for general anesthesia to address their jowls and neck, LazerLift is the perfect option. 

LazerLift is a one-time, one-hour, minimally invasive treatment designed to tighten the skin of the face and neck and remove excess fat using SmartLipo technology and no scalpel. It uses the latest technology to take laser energy underneath your skin and stimulate collagen production in the dermis, which leads to improved skin elasticity, thickness and texture.

What is your advice for those who choose a health care career?

Love what you do! I love seeing patients improve and feel better about themselves. I love operating and performing procedures in the office. I enjoy each day that I can use my skills and training in helping others. 

What advice do you give your kids?

I talk to my daughters about following their passions. They are young, but my hope is that starting this conversation early will influence them someday. In the meantime, I look for sparks of interest and support them with books and travel. I try to expose my daughters to varied experiences so they develop an understanding of what they like and dislike. I am keen for them to learn about various careers by talking to other adults and possibly shadowing in different fields as they grow. I do my part by spending time with students who are interested in my field.