Facelift Types and Which One Is Best For You?

As we age, the skin loses its elasticity, and the face begins to sag and wrinkle.

Considering a facelift? Learn about our deep plane facelift in the Washington, DC area.

A facelift is the surgical way to correct these changes and restore a more youthful look.

Which type of facelift makes sense depends on how your face has aged, your overall health and the result you want.

What’s the Concept of a Facelift?

A facelift, also called a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure meant to improve visible signs of aging in the face and neck. It addresses sagging skin, weakened facial muscles and soft tissue that has slipped downward.

It can lift excess loose skin on the lower face, improve a “turkey neck,” tighten underlying muscle and tissue, and reduce deep wrinkles. The results of a facelift often last 10 years or more, and it can take up to 10 years off your appearance.

How Many Types of Facelift Are There?

Facelift methods vary based on the incision approach, target zones, and level of invasiveness. There are several types of facelifts, each suited to different areas of the face and degrees of aging. These are the most common.

Full Facelift (Traditional Facelift)

The traditional facelift, also known as a full facelift, is a comprehensive rejuvenation procedure addressing advanced aging signs on the lower face and neck. The incisions run in front of and behind the ear and into the hairline, so the surgeon can lift and tighten the underlying tissues and remove excess skin.

Mini Facelift

Mini facelifts, also known as the weekend facelift or S-lift, use smaller incisions and a more limited dissection and are usually marketed for mild to moderate aging in the lower face. Dr. Naderi does not offer them: most mini lift techniques work only on the superficial layers, so the improvement is smaller and tends to fade sooner than a deep plane facelift.

Deep Plane Facelift

A deep plane facelift works beneath the SMAS, the layer of muscle and connective tissue under the skin, so the deeper tissues of the face can be released and repositioned instead of relying on pulling the skin tight. It is especially helpful for patients with more advanced aging, such as deep folds, jowls and sagging skin.

Midface Lift (Cheek Lift)

The mid-facelift focuses on the areas between the eyes and mouth, like the cheeks and nose. This procedure is ideal for people who have sagging cheeks or deep nasolabial folds and have mild signs of aging in the neck or along the jawline.

Liquid Facelift (Non-Surgical Facelift)

Non-surgical facelifts, on the other hand, include the liquid facelift and thread lift. A liquid facelift uses injectable hyaluronic acid fillers to restore volume and soften wrinkles and folds. It can’t lift sagging skin the way surgery does.

A thread lift uses biocompatible threads placed under the skin to lift and tighten it without surgery.

Which Type of Facelift Surgery Produces the Most Natural Result?

Which facelift looks most natural depends on your anatomy, how much aging there is to correct, your goals and the surgeon’s skill. Among the various types of facelifts, many experienced facelift surgeons believe that the deep plane facelift provides the most natural-looking results.

It works on the deeper tissues and muscles of the face, so the lift does not depend on pulling the skin tight. The deep plane facelift is especially effective at improving the look of deep creases and nasolabial folds, which are the lines from the nose to the mouth corners.

Still, the result of a deep plane facelift, or any facelift, depends largely on the surgeon’s skill and experience. An experienced facial plastic surgeon knows the anatomy well and plans the operation around the patient’s own features and bone structure, which is what keeps the result looking natural.

How to Choose the Best Facelift for You

The right facelift for you depends on your goals, how much your face has aged, your overall health and how much surgery you are willing to have. A board-certified facial plastic surgeon can examine you and recommend the procedure that fits.

During the consultation, you should discuss your concerns, expectations, and the potential risks and benefits of each facelift type. That conversation should leave you clear about which procedure makes sense for you.

The Potential Risks and Complications of Facelift Surgery

Like any surgery, facelift surgery has potential risks and complications. These can include infection, bleeding, scarring, nerve damage, and complications related to anesthesia. Skin necrosis, a rare but serious complication, is particularly increased among smokers.

Other possible side effects include pixie ear deformity due to improper reattachment of the earlobe. Numbness is common after a facelift but typically reduces over the first 3–6 months post-surgery. Your surgeon should go over these risks with you at the consultation.

The Longevity of Facelift Results

The results from a facelift can last up to 10–15 years, making it a long-term solution for facial aging. However, the aging process continues despite a facelift procedure, and factors such as sun exposure and skincare habits can affect the longevity of the results. A secondary facelift, also known as a revision facelift, may be performed to maintain or enhance the results of the initial procedure.

Combining Facelifts with Other Procedures

A facelift is often combined with other procedures. For example, skin resurfacing procedures can be performed at the same time as a facelift to correct skin complexion issues such as fine lines, sun damage, melasma, and blemishes.

If desired, patients may undergo other procedures, such as blepharoplasty, neck liposuction, fat grafting, or other surgeries, in combination with a facelift.

How the Naderi Center Approaches Facelifts

At The Naderi Center for Plastic Surgery and Dermatology, facelifts are performed in the operating room under general anesthesia at Prince William Surgery Center. The surgery takes about four hours, drains are not usually needed, and most patients return to exercise after about a month.

Dr. Shervin Naderi is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in the deep plane facelift. For patients who are not ready for surgery, the practice also offers non-surgical options such as the liquid facelift.

Each facelift is planned around the patient’s anatomy, goals and degree of aging, with the aim of a natural, refreshed result, never a pulled or overdone one. Schedule a consultation today to talk through which approach fits your face.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which type of facelift looks the most natural?

Many experienced facelift surgeons consider the deep plane facelift the most natural-looking, because it repositions the deeper tissues of the face instead of pulling the skin tight. The surgeon’s skill matters as much as the technique.

What is the difference between a mini facelift and a deep plane facelift?

A mini facelift uses shorter incisions and a more limited dissection, but most mini lift techniques leave the deeper tissue where it was. A deep plane facelift works beneath the SMAS layer to reposition the deeper tissues, so the result is more complete and lasts longer. Dr. Naderi performs the deep plane facelift and does not offer mini facelifts.

Can a liquid facelift replace a surgical facelift?

No. Fillers can restore volume and soften folds, but they cannot lift sagging skin and muscle the way surgery does. Dr. Naderi performs his own injections as well as surgery, so he can tell you honestly which approach will reach your goal.

How long do facelift results last?

Results often last 10 years or more. Your face keeps aging after surgery, so sun protection, not smoking and good skincare help the result hold up.

What is facelift surgery and recovery like at The Naderi Center?

Dr. Naderi performs facelifts under general anesthesia, and the surgery takes about four hours. Drains are not usually needed, most patients return to exercise after about a month, and patients from out of town should plan to stay 10 to 14 days.