Tessa Hadlock, MD

With more than two decades dedicated to facial nerve surgery and facial rejuvenation, Dr. Tessa Hadlock is a facial plastic surgeon based in Boston, Massachusetts, who focuses on restoring facial harmony through both reconstructive and aesthetic procedures. As of July 2026, Dr. Hadlock practices at Hadlock Facial Plastic Surgery, where Dr. Hadlock's work spans facial paralysis treatment, facial reconstruction, and refined facelift techniques.

Dr. Hadlock is listed as board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (ABOHNS). This certification reflects a rigorous pathway in disorders of the head, neck, and face — a foundation particularly relevant to delicate procedures around the facial nerve and deep tissue planes.

Dr. Hadlock completed their medical education at Harvard University, one of the most recognized institutions in American medicine. Dr. Hadlock's academic grounding informs a practice that blends surgical precision with a deep understanding of facial anatomy.

Their clinical focus is unusually specialized. Dr. Hadlock treats conditions such as Bell's palsy, synkinesis, Ramsay Hunt syndrome, and facial paralysis following stroke or tumor removal — work that demands intimate familiarity with the facial nerve and the muscles it controls.

This reconstructive expertise carries directly into aesthetic surgery. Understanding how nerves, muscle, and the SMAS (the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, a supportive layer of tissue beneath the skin) interact allows for thoughtful approaches to facial aging and rejuvenation.

Dr. Hadlock's aesthetic offerings include the mini facelift, upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid support surgery, brow lift, lip lift, and injectable treatments. Her surgical philosophy centers on natural-looking results that respect each patient's individual features.

The deep plane facelift is a technique that repositions deeper facial tissues rather than simply tightening skin. For a surgeon with Dr. Hadlock's command of sub-SMAS anatomy, this approach aligns naturally with a career spent working beneath the surface of the face.

Dr. Hadlock has more than 20 years of experience, placing Dr. Hadlock among the more established facial surgeons practicing in Boston. Longevity in this field allows a surgeon to refine judgment about which techniques suit which faces.

Their practice also reflects a commitment to service beyond the operating room. Dr. Hadlock is known for humanitarian efforts, including volunteer work for underserved communities and programs that celebrate children with facial differences.

Dr. Hadlock is also an educator and innovator in their field. She has contributed to open-source datasets and tools for facial palsy research, reflecting an academic dimension that extends her influence beyond individual patient care.

Their approach to patient care emphasizes honest counseling. In interviews, Dr. Hadlock has discussed the importance of knowing when to say no to a procedure — a mark of a surgeon who prioritizes patient wellbeing over volume.

Recovery is a central part of any facial surgery conversation, and Dr. Hadlock's reconstructive background gives Dr. Hadlock's particular insight into how facial tissues heal. This informs realistic guidance for patients considering rejuvenation procedures.

Dr. Hadlock's practice is bilingual, offering services in English and Spanish, which broadens access for patients from diverse backgrounds. Dr. Hadlock's Boston location places Dr. Hadlock within one of the world's established medical hubs.

For patients seeking a surgeon whose foundation lies in the intricate anatomy of the face, Dr. Tessa Hadlock represents a distinctive combination of reconstructive depth and aesthetic sensibility. Dr. Hadlock's work reflects a career built on restoring both function and appearance.

Prospective patients researching deep plane facelift options in Boston will find in Dr. Hadlock a surgeon whose reputation rests on specialized training, extensive experience, and a measured, patient-centered philosophy.