About Dr. Hilinski

Educational Background and Training

Dr. Hilinski began his medical journey at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, where he graduated with honors. His time at Harvard provided him with a strong foundation in medical and surgical principles, setting the stage for his future specialization in facial plastic surgery.

After completing his medical degree, Dr. Hilinski pursued a surgical internship at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Medical Center, followed by a residency in Head and Neck Surgery at the same prestigious institution. During his residency, he focused exclusively on the intricate anatomy and function of the face and neck, gaining unparalleled expertise that would later define his practice.

To further refine his skills, Dr. Hilinski was selected for a highly competitive fellowship in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in Chicago, IL, sponsored by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Under the mentorship of leading experts in the field, he mastered the most advanced techniques in facial aesthetics and reconstructive surgery.

A Leader in Advanced Cosmetic Ear Surgery

Upon starting his practice in San Diego, Dr. Hilinski developed a special interest in complex cosmetic ear surgery. Initially, he attracted patients seeking otoplasty, commonly known as ear pinning surgery, to correct protruding ears. As his reputation for precision and artistry grew, Dr. Hilinski began to take on more advanced cases, such as macrotia scapha ear reduction–a highly specialized procedure designed to make overly large ears smaller and more proportionate.

As one of the few plastic surgeons in America with dedicated experience in managing scapha enlargement deformities, Dr. Hilinski has become recognized online and within the medical community as a go-to expert for this unique type of ear surgery. His commitment to this niche has distinguished him from other plastic surgeons, making him a sought-after specialist for patients from all over the country seeking expert care for complex ear conditions.

Dr. John Hilinski’s Background

Presentations

• “Polymethylmethacrylate Injections: My Long-term Experience.” Advanced Aesthetics & Cosmetic Dermatology Los Angeles, The Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey, CA, January 27-29, 2017.
• “Facial Contouring with Poly-L-Lactic Acid.” Advanced Aesthetics & Cosmetic Dermatology Los Angeles, The Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey, CA, January 27-29, 2017.
• “Nasal Tip Rhinoplasty: Common Problems and My Evolving Approach.” Aesthetic Surgery Grand Rounds, University of California, San Diego, Division of Plastic Surgery, August 24, 2016.
• “Peri-Oral Cosmetic Enhancement: My Approach.” The 3rd Ultimate Aesthetic Training Workshop, The Four Seasons Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA, May 14, 2016.
• “Facial Contouring with Sculptra.” The 3rd Ultimate Aesthetic Training Workshop, The Four Seasons Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA, May 14, 2016.
• “Bellafill Facial Reshaping.” The 3rd Ultimate Aesthetic Training Workshop, The Four Seasons Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA, May 14, 2016.
• “Use of Blunt-tipped Cannulas for Injectable Fillers.” The Ultimate Aesthetic Training Workshop, The Luxe Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA, October 10, 2015.
• “Facial Reshaping with Poly-L-Lactic Acid.” The Ultimate Aesthetic Training Workshop, The Luxe Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA, October 10, 2015.
• “Use of Polymethylmethacralate in Facial Contouring.” The Ultimate Aesthetic Training Workshop, The Luxe Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA, October 10, 2015.

Editorial Review

• Reviewer for JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, 2007-present.
• Reviewer for Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2014.
• Reviewer for International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2011.

Book Chapters

• Hilinski JM, Cohen SR. Soft Tissue Augmentation with Artefill. Facial Plastic Surgery. Thieme Medical Publishers, Volume 25 (2): 114-119, 2009.
• Hilinski JM, Cohen SR. Volumetric Use of Injectable Fillers in the Face. Techniques in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Series: Facial Rejuvenation with Fillers. Eds. Cohen and Born. Elsevier Ltd, 2009.
• Hilinski JM, Toriumi DM. The Ageing Face. Scott Brown’s Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. 7th Edition. May 2008.

Publications

• Collins J, Harvey J, Hilinski JM, Reconstructing the Gauge Earlobe Defect, JAMA Facial Plast Surg. Published online December 18, 2014.
• Hilinski JM, Beros A, Watson D. Spreader grafts in rhinoplasty, Plastic Surgery, Emedicine World Medical Library, Emedicine.com, May 2008.
• Hilinski JM, Revis DR, Seagle MB. Skin Resurfacing: Chemical Peels, Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery, Emedicine World Medical Library, Emedicine.com, May 2008.
• Mobley SR, Hilinski JM, Toriumi DM. Tissue adhesives in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, Facial Plastics Clinics of North America, 10(2002): 147-154.
• Hilinski JM, Kim T, Harris JP. Post-traumatic pseudocerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, Otology and Neurotology, September 2001; 22(5).
• Beros A, Hilinski JM, Moe KS. Gracilis muscle free tissue transfer, Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery, Emedicine World Medical Library, Emedicine.com, June 2001.
• Byrne P, Hilinski JM, Hilger P. Facial nerve repair, Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery, Emedicine World Medical Library, Emedicine.com, May 2001.
• Hilinski JM, Moe KS. Vertical dome division in rhinoplasty, Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery, Emedicine World Medical Library, Emedicine.com, June 2001.
• Johnsson A, Zeelenberg I, Min Y, Hilinski J, Berry C, Howell SB, Los, G. Identification of genes differentially expressed in association with acquired cisplatin resistance, British Journal of Cancer, 2000 Oct; 83(8): 1047-1054.
• Wong JG, Hilinski J, Los G. Analysis of SSH libraries generated from ATRA treated UMSCC10b cells, Journal of Investigative Medicine, vol. 47 (2): 61A, Feb 1999.
• Hosseinzadeh M, Hilinski J, Turner WJD, Harris JP. Meniere disease caused by an anomalous vein of the vestibular aqueduct, Archives of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, 1998; 124: 695- 698.
• Gliklich RE, Hilinski JM. Longitudinal sensitivity of generic and specific health measures in chronic sinusitis, Quality of Life Research, 4:27-32, 1995.

Articles and Publications

Soft Tissue Augmentation with ArteFill
Dr. Hilinski recently coauthored a book chapter focusing on use of Artefill for volume enhancement of the face.

Facelift Surgery for the Ageing Face
Dr. Hilinski and coauthor Dr. Dean Toriumi have recently published their book chapter on the ageing face and facelift surgery.

Mini-Lift Offers Major Results
Ever give your face and neck a little tug while looking in the mirror? Like what you see? Maybe not, but many accept what their reflections reveal as their destiny.

The Verafil Lip Enhancement
For years now, women have been searching for the ideal procedure to provide them with fuller, plumper, shapelier lips.

Surgical Tissue Adhesives
Surgical tissue adhesives continue to evolve as an important technology for the facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Twelve years ago there was little routine use of these…

Examining The Doctors
Today it seems as though there is a medical or dental treatment to suit just about every need or desire. But even if procedures are FDA-approved and ensure low risks…

Curriculum Vitae

For more information on Dr. John Hilinski’s education, qualifications and experience, view his curriculum vitae (CV).