Understanding Today’s Facelift Options: What Patients Should Know
Last month Dr. Rosen highlighted many of the psychosocial aspects of facelifts, so this month I wanted to expand on the technical differences that try to explain the confusing terminology that we often encounter. Facelift surgery has evolved significantly over the years. Modern techniques are designed to create natural-looking results, improve comfort during recovery, and address aging changes in a more personalized way. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, today’s facelifts are tailored to your unique facial structure, skin quality, and goals.
Below is a simple overview of some of the most commonly discussed facelift techniques and who they may be best suited for.
Short Scar Facelifts
Sometimes called “mini facelifts,” short scar facelifts use smaller incisions placed discreetly around the ear.
Why patients like it
- Smaller scars that are easier to hide
- Shorter recovery time
- Refreshes early jowling and mild sagging
- More affordable
Things to consider:
- Not ideal for more advanced facial or neck aging
- Results tend to be more subtle
- Minilifts still involve advanced and assertive release of the face (deep plane facelift techniques as mentioned below) It does not undermine or directly address the skin and muscle in the midline of the neck
Often best for:
Patients in earlier stages of aging who want a refreshed, natural look without a longer recovery. And those without heavy skin, or visible bands or cords in the midline of the neck.
Deep Neck Lifts
A deep neck lift focuses specifically on improving the neck and jawline by tightening deeper neck muscles. Deep neck lifts also are limited to work done under the midline neck platysma muscle, such as additional fat removal, deep muscle trimming, or even gland removal in select cases. These are often combined with other lifting approaches, such as short-scar or deep-plane facelifts, that add cheek and/or posterior rejuvenation.
Why patients like it:
- Smaller scars that are easier to hide
- Shorter recovery time
- Refreshes early jowling and mild sagging
- More affordable
Things to consider:
- More involved surgery with longer recovery
- Typically combined with a facelift for balance, since by itself does not venture into the cheek structures.
Often best for:
Patients bothered most by advanced neck aging or loss of jawline definition or those heavy “looks like my family” necks
Deep Plane Facelifts
This advanced technique lifts deeper facial layers (SMAS) together rather than pulling only the skin, and also involves more midface soft tissue release.
Why patients like it:
- Very natural, long-lasting results
- Improves cheeks, jawline, and midface
- Avoids a “pulled” appearance
Things to consider:
- More complex surgery
- Slightly longer swelling and recovery
Often best for:
Patients with moderate to more advanced facial aging who want a meaningful yet natural improvement. This seems to be a social media buzzworthy technique advancement, but truthfully we have been utilizing this technique for over a decade.
Preservation Facelifts
Preservation facelifts focus on maintaining natural facial structures while gently repositioning cheek and jawline tissues. In our practice, this represents an additional refinement of the deep plane technique, leading to even more natural results that recover even faster. The design improvement results in less skin-only release, more multilayer repositioning, better blood supply, and increased safety for patients.
Why patients like it:
- Soft, natural movement and expressions
- Less disruption to facial tissues so improved safety
- Subtle, refreshed appearance with shorter recovery
Things to consider:
- This technique describes work done in the cheek, jawline and posterior neck
- Therefore often combined with deep neck techniques mentioned above for maximum yet natural face and neck rejuvenation
- Best results depend on careful patient selection
Often best for:
Patients looking for refined rejuvenation of the cheek and jawline.
Our Philosophy:
A well-performed facelift should never look “done.” The goal is for you to look rested, refreshed, and like yourself – just a more youthful version.
If you’re curious about your options, a consultation is the best way to explore what’s right for you and learn what kind of result you can realistically expect
