Aesthetic Surgery in Focus at ESPRAS × Swiss Plastic Surgery 2026 in Bern

From 3–5 September 2026, Bern welcomed plastic surgeons from Switzerland and across Europe for the European Congress for Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery — Joint Meeting ESPRAS & Swiss Plastic Surgery 2026.

Across three days, the congress provided a broad scientific program covering reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery, while several dedicated sessions highlighted developments particularly relevant to the aesthetic community.

Facial aesthetics: anatomy, rejuvenation and surgical technique

A dedicated Aesthetic Face session brought together different approaches to facial rejuvenation and surgery.

Topics ranged from fat-graft survival and regenerative approaches to facial rejuvenation, to neck-lift techniques, forehead lifting and endoscopic facelifting.

Swiss contributions included work from University Hospital Zurich on a refined vertical neck-lift technique and from CHUV on the continued relevance of the classical coronal forehead lift.

The program underlined how aesthetic facial surgery continues to evolve while remaining deeply dependent on anatomy, surgical judgment and careful patient selection.

Breast augmentation: towards more individualised and tissue-conscious approaches

Breast aesthetics also occupied an important place in the program.

The session “The Perfect Breast Augmentation” explored different approaches to contemporary breast enhancement, including minimally invasive tissue-preserving techniques, hybrid breast augmentation, implant positioning and postoperative management.

The diversity of presentations reflected an increasingly individualised approach to breast surgery, where technique selection must take into account anatomy, tissue characteristics, patient expectations and long-term outcomes.

Periorbital surgery: precision in one of the most demanding facial areas

On Saturday, the congress continued with a dedicated Aesthetic Face – Periorbital session.

Presentations addressed lower-eyelid blepharoplasty, upper blepharoplasty and reconstruction, while also considering how aesthetic principles influence functional outcomes in complex facial surgery.

The session once again highlighted the importance of balancing aesthetics, anatomy and function when working around the eyes.

Non-surgical aesthetic medicine takes its place

One of the sessions most directly connected to the SWAESS community was “Aesthetic Non-surgical / Injectables / Energy Devices,” co-chaired by Dr. Michele Zanzi and Dr. Martino Meoli.

The program reflected the rapidly expanding scope of modern aesthetic medicine.

Presentations examined subjects including botulinum toxin, management of filler-induced vascular occlusions, polynucleotide facial rejuvenation, hypersensitivity to hyaluronic-acid fillers, non-surgical nasal correction and minimally invasive aesthetic techniques.

Importantly, the program did not focus only on treatment possibilities. Complication management and scientific evidence were also present throughout the discussions — an essential component of responsible aesthetic practice.

Rhinoplasty and aesthetic facial surgery remain active areas of innovation

A dedicated aesthetic rhinoplasty track explored techniques related to revision surgery, cartilage grafting, correction of lower lateral cartilage deformities and control of the supratip region.

These presentations demonstrated the continued evolution of rhinoplasty while also highlighting the importance of reproducibility, structural understanding and long-term stability.

Patient safety beyond national borders

The congress concluded with another subject particularly relevant to modern aesthetic surgery: medical tourism.

Presentations examined complications following cosmetic procedures performed abroad, postoperative infections and the wider healthcare burden associated with managing complications after aesthetic medical tourism.

As aesthetic procedures become increasingly international, these discussions are an important reminder that patient safety, adequate follow-up and professional standards remain central to our specialty.

What does this mean for the aesthetic community?

The Bern congress demonstrated once again how quickly aesthetic surgery and medicine are evolving.

From regenerative facial treatments and injectables to minimally invasive breast procedures and advanced facial surgery, innovation continues across the entire aesthetic spectrum.

At the same time, several recurring themes remained clear: strong anatomical knowledge, scientific evidence, complication awareness, responsible patient selection and continuous professional education.

These are also principles at the heart of SWAESS.

By keeping our members connected to developments taking place across Switzerland and Europe, SWAESS aims to support an aesthetic community that continues to learn, exchange and raise standards together.

We look forward to continuing these conversations through our own educational initiatives, including the Swiss Aesthetic Meeting, Injection Academy, Advanced Training Day and In-Training Program.