The Art of Facial Rejuvenation
When Is A Facelift Right For Me?
Aging has its own kind of beauty but let’s be honest, there comes a time when we catch a glimpse in the mirror and think, “When did that change happen?” Subtle shifts in skin, contours and expression are part of aging, but they can also leave us craving a little refresh.
This guide takes you through the most common facial changes we see at every stage of life, highlights the treatments women are turning to for that youthful glow, and introduces the deep plane facelift the surgical secret behind the most natural, long-lasting transformations.
Real Patient
Ages 20 – 29
Protect & Optimize
This stage is all about protecting your skin, making subtle enhancements to achieve balance and preventing some changes associated with aging. These concerns often include rougher skin texture, the initial formation of fine lines and the appearance of “dull” skin.
PREVENTATIVE Skincare
- Daily Mineral SPF – Protects collagen, prevents sun damage, evens tone
- Retinol & Vitamin C – Refine texture, boost radiance, and support collagen
RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES
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Regular Facials & Laser Treatments – Maintain clear, healthy, luminous skin
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Subtle Injectables – Preventative Botox or minimal filler to smooth lines and enhance natural balance
- Cosmetic Tattooing – Permanent eyeliner, lip blush, soft freckling and brows streamline morning routines
Ages 30 – 39
Define & Prevent
In your 30s, the goal is often to define contours, preserve skin quality and delay surgical needs with consistent, smarter care. Common concerns include more noticeable fine lines, early laxity, under-eye shadows, eyelid heaviness and jawline softening.
RESTORATIVE Skincare
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Medical-Grade Regimens – Stronger formulas to target texture, pigment, and resilience
RECOMMENDED Procedures
- BBL® or MOXI® Laser – Improve tone, reduce sunspots/redness, and keep skin even and bright
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Microneedling or HALO® – Stimulate collagen, refine pores, and smooth early signs of aging
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Injectables – Botox for lines and light brow lift, cheek filler to restore midface volume and soften under-eye shadows
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Eyelid Surgery (select cases) – Blepharoplasty addresses upper-lid hooding or lower lid puffiness for refreshed eyes
Ages 40 – 49
Reclaim Definition
In your 40s, the goal is to restore contours while keeping skin healthy and facial expression natural. Common concerns include early jowling, eyelid heaviness, under-eye shadows, fine lines and neck bands. This is also the stage when select patients start discussing facelift surgery for balanced, longer-lasting definition — in addition to keeping up with skincare and routine facials.
RECOMMENDED Procedures
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BBL®, HALO®, or MOXI® – Laser skin therapy improves tone, texture, and sun damage while supporting collagen
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Microneedling & Morpheus8 – Stimulate collagen to smooth texture and modestly tighten skin
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Injectables – Botox for lines/neck bands; filler for cheeks, temples, or chin to restore balance
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Eyelid or Brow Surgery – Address heaviness when non-surgical lifts are no longer effective
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Facelift (select patients) – Early structural support for jowls and neck laxity with natural balance
Ages 50 – 70
Correct Deep Changes
In your 50s–70s, most patients seek solutions that address deeper structural changes and restore face–neck harmony while keeping expression natural. Skin care and lasers still matter, but many patients experience greater aesthetic benefits from deep structural lifting — often a deep plane facelift with neck treatment — for balanced, durable improvement.
RECOMMENDED Procedures
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Deep Plane Facelift & Neck Lift – Restore jawline and neck harmony with long-lasting, natural results
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Eyelid & Brow Surgery – Brighten heavy eyes and elevate brows when non-surgical options no longer suffice
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Facial Fat Grafting or Chin Enhancement – Refine proportions and restore support as needed
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BBL®, MOXI®, or Morpheus8 – Tone and pigment tune-ups to keep skin healthy
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Fractional Resurfacing – Focused laser around mouth/eyes to smooth etched lines
MOST COMMON CONCERN
Will I Look Like Myself After A Facelift?
Real Patient
Before
“This patient presented for facial rejuvenation, desiring to look refreshed and younger but still like herself. Her main areas of concern were her nasolabial folds, her lower face, her jawline, and her neck.“
Real Patient
After
“A deep plane face and neck lift was performed to lift the lower face, restore jawline definition, and smooth the neck from the jawline to the collarbones. She looks refreshed and natural, not surgical or “tight”. Incisions are hidden around the ears and under the chin.“
What is the Deep Plane Facelift?
A deep plane facelift (DPFL) fully and carefully lifts the deeper SMAS layer of the face and repositions it to a more youthful position to restore contours. Specifically, a DPFL corrects jowling, nasolabial folds and cheek and submental laxity. This creates results that look more natural, last longer, and avoid the “pulled” look people often worry about.
| Feature | Traditional Facelift | Deep Plane Facelift |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical Approach | Tightens skin and may superficially adjust SMAS | Fully releases and repositions deeper SMAS |
| Naturalness of Results | Can look tighter; risk of “pulled” look if overdone | Very natural; restores youthful contours without surface tension |
| Areas Improved | Jowls, mild neck skin laxity | Jowls, neck, midface (cheeks, nasolabial folds) |
| Longevity of Results | Moderate (results may soften sooner) | Long-lasting; maintains improvement for many years |
| Complexity | Less technically demanding; shorter operative time | More technically advanced; longer operative time |
| Scarring | Hidden around the ears and hairline | Hidden around the ears and hairline |
| Recovery | Social downtime ~2 weeks | Social downtime ~2 weeks (may swell longer) |
| Risks | Low, well-established safety profile | Comparable risks when performed by an experienced surgeon |
| Cost | Generally lower | Higher; often offset by limiting need for additional procedures |
Dr. Michelle Sieffert – Expert in Advanced Facelift Surgery
Board-certified and highly specialized in facial rejuvenation, Dr. Sieffert is recognized for her precision, artistry and mastery of deep plane facelift techniques. She combines surgical expertise with a refined eye for natural, lasting results.
How We Avoid The "Overdone Facelift" Look
What We Don’t Do: Rely on skin-only tension, which can warp hairlines, earlobes and facial expression.
What We Focus On: Deep structural support, balanced vectors and discreet incisions.
Our aim is refreshed, age-appropriate results so you look and feel like the best version of you – everyday.
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