The facelift has rebranded. Long ago the procedure was associated with extensive surgery, a long recovery, and a stretched and artificial appearance. Today, facelifts are so subtle that it’s difficult to tell which one of your favorite movie stars has had one. “In the past few years, we’ve seen a lot more patients coming in for facelifts,” says Denver plastic surgeon Philippe A. Capraro, MD. “It’s not just older people anymore. It’s people in their 30s and 40s, and even younger.” Here, we explore how modern facelifts have evolved and what makes them so, so good.
Popularity Surge
A key factor in the facelift’s evolution is the change in techniques. According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, facelifts have surged by 60 percent since 2017, with the most significant increase among people ages 35 to 55. El Paso, TX plastic surgeon Ozan Sozer, MD says, “Facelifts were traditionally reserved for older people, but with new techniques that result in minimal or hidden scars, interest among the younger set has soared.” This shift toward less-invasive methods has opened the door to a broader demographic.
The trend isn’t limited to the U.S. either. “Some people are getting tired of or dissatisfied with repeated treatments like injectables and fillers,” says London plastic surgeon Yannis Alexandrides, MD. “As a result, many of them are choosing facelifts earlier.” Along with the change in demand, the facelift approach has also evolved.
Deeper Lifting
To achieve sophisticated outcomes, surgeons focus on deeper lifting instead of merely pulling the skin. However, La Jolla, CA plastic surgeon Robert Singer, MD says modern facelift techniques are not one-size-fits-all. “Successful results require individualization, lifting tissue, removing excess skin and restoring volume.”
New York facial plastic surgeon Dilip Madnani, MD says today’s facelifts often involve deeper tissue work, such as ligament release and extended deep-plane lifting. “This creates a beautiful contour without putting so much stress on the skin.” Miami plastic surgeon Paul Afrooz, MD adds that careful incision closure along the hairline and ears minimizes scar visibility. “My patients can confidently wear their hair up without worrying about revealing scars.”
Balanced Correction
To create truly undetectable results, a facelift will also address the neck. New York facial plastic surgeon Sam Rizk, MD says newer approaches target the lower face, midface and neck. “This makes for a more balanced correction.”
To further enhance the balanced result, Westborough, MA facial plastic surgeon Min S. Ahn, MD uses a corset technique to tighten the platysmal muscle and redefine the jawline. “This tightens the muscle with internal sutures, creating a ‘corset-like’ effect.”
Adding Soft Volume
Campbell, CA plastic surgeon Kamakshi R. Zeidler, MD says a mini-facelift with fat transfer might be this age group’s subtle-surgery sweet spot. “This technique adds soft volume to the under-eyes, cheeks, lips, and sometimes the chin and jawline, providing natural fullness without the dreaded ‘pillow face’ effect.”
Wanting to address aging early on, this 45-year-old patient underwent a facelift, upper eyelid lift and lip lift with Dr. Afrooz for a youthful reset.
According to Dr. Yannis, age-related volume loss often starts in the under- eye area, leading to the “tear trough deformity,” and also affects the temples. He uses fat micrografts and asks patients to bring in old photos to strategically restore their “volumetric identity.”
Small Tweaks
Boca Raton, FL oculoplastic surgeon Steven Fagien, MD says that combining a facelift with other procedures, such as eyelid surgery or a browlift, is commonly done, but not always necessary. Today, patients often seek specialists for specific facial areas. “Many people will notice droopy eyelids or under-eye bags first,” he explains. “Eyelid surgery often precedes a facelift by a decade, addressing specific concerns before broader facial procedures.”
Dr. Afrooz adds, “Upper blepharoplasty, temporal browlifts and lip lifts are subtle procedures that enhance facelift outcomes. A beautiful facelift often results from many small, elegant changes.”
Custom Creations
The cumulative effect of these innovations and techniques is a more tailored approach. Louisville, KY plastic surgeon Chet Mays, MD emphasizes that there are no fixed rules. “Facial rejuvenation isn’t just about tightening; we also have to treat fine lines, replenish lost fat caused by aging, and achieve optimal contours.”
Delray Beach, FL plastic surgeon Drew Schnitt, MD adds that personalization is key. “It’s crucial to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who can assess facial structure, including chin and cheek contours, as well as the brow, eyelids, temples, lips, jowls, and neck harmoniously, to address all aspects of aging.”
Tech Integration
Technology has helped boost results and streamline recoveries. “Anesthesia is better now,” notes Dr. Sozer, highlighting longer-lasting local anesthetics that offer superior pain control. “No bandages, no drains, and patients can shower the same day.” Energy-based treatments, such as EMFACE, Morpheus8 and Sofwave, can also be done after surgery to improve outcomes.
To help this patient, 58, turn back the clock, Dr. Madnani performed a facelift with fat transfer, a necklift, an upper eyelid lift and a CO2 laser.
Dr. Madnani uses hyperbaric oxygen therapy to aid recovery, while Dr. Ahn relies on 3-D imaging to set realistic expectations. “These advancements help improve patient satisfaction,” Dr. Ahn adds. After all, everyone who has a facelift wants to look and feel their best after surgery, even if it’s their little secret.
Dr. Mays rejuvenated this patient, 66, with a facelift with fat transfer, a necklift, upper and lower eyelid lifts, and Renuvion laser resurfacing.
