Professionalism has become an increasingly popular concept in medicine, however, little has been written on professionalism and plastic surgery. In the absence of a professional literature for plastic surgery, plastic surgeons have relied upon traditional standards of medical professionalism. These objective standards have been problematic for plastic surgeons whose work contains a significant aesthetic and, therefore, subjective element. The result has been critique of the field as well as, in the view of some, deprofessionalization. To remain professional in this context, plastic surgeons must begin to address the issue of medical professionalism and devise guidelines that reflect the uniqueness of the specialty.