Facelift
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift is a surgical procedure that restores a more youthful, refreshed appearance by improving the contours of the face and neck. As we age, the changes are not just in the skin. The deeper support layers of the face gradually relax and shift, and facial volume can diminish. Together, these processes contribute to heaviness in the lower face, jowling, deepening folds, and a less defined jawline and neck. Many patients also notice midface changes, such as a flatter cheek contour, a more tired appearance around the lower eyelid and cheek junction, and a general loss of the smooth transition that is typical of a younger face.
A well-performed facelift is designed to address these structural changes by repositioning and supporting the deeper tissues, then redraping the skin in a natural way. In select patients, restoring facial volume is also an important part of achieving a refined, natural result. This may involve thoughtful volume restoration by transferring fat to areas such as the cheeks and midface to recreate soft, youthful contours, rather than relying on the skin alone to “pull things tight.” When volume restoration is appropriate, it is performed strategically and conservatively to avoid an overfilled look and to maintain facial harmony.
Patients often ask if a facelift will make them look “pulled” or unnatural. When performed thoughtfully, a facelift should not look overdone. Dr. Cheng, a facelift and neck lift specialist, approaches these procedures with a focus on natural rejuvenation and refinement while preserving your unique facial identity and expression. His technique has been shaped by elite aesthetic plastic surgery training at Marten Clinic of Plastic Surgery in San Francisco under the tutelage of Dr. Timothy Marten and Dr. Dino Elyassnia, widely regarded as two of the world’s leading facelift and neck lift surgeons. As a result, Dr. Cheng’s philosophy similarly prioritizes subtlety, balance, and facial harmony so your result looks natural in every light and from every angle.
A facelift can be customized to your needs. Some patients primarily want jawline definition and jowl improvement, while others benefit from a more comprehensive approach that includes face and neck rejuvenation along with midface revolumization. For the right patient, a facelift can be one of the most effective ways to look refreshed and confident again because it addresses the underlying causes of facial aging, not just the surface.
What Are the Benefits of a Facelift ?
A facelift can create a refreshed, more youthful appearance while still looking natural and unmistakably like you. Unlike treatments that primarily address the skin’s surface, a facelift is designed to improve facial aging at its structural level. Benefits may include:
A smoother, more defined jawline with improvement in jowling and lower-face heaviness
A more refined neck contour and a cleaner, more elegant profile when neck rejuvenation is included
Softening of deeper folds around the mouth and along the lower face for a more rested look
Repositioning of facial tissues that have shifted with time, restoring youthful facial balance rather than creating a “pulled” appearance
Restoration of volume to where it belongs in select patients, often through conservative fat transfer to the midface and cheeks to recreate natural fullness and smooth transitions
Long-lasting rejuvenation that looks natural
The overall goal is refinement and balance: restoring structure and volume thoughtfully, so your face looks refreshed, not overdone.
Who Are Candidates for a Facelift?
You may be a good candidate for a facelift with Dr. Cheng if you want a longer-lasting solution for face and neck aging and you are seeking results that look natural rather than overdone. Ideal candidates often:
Notice jowling, loss of jawline definition, or lower face heaviness
Have laxity in the neck or a less defined neck angle
Feel that injectables or energy-based treatments no longer provide the improvement they want or are starting to cause an unnatural, overfilled appearance
Are in good overall health and have realistic expectations
Prefer a refined, surgical result with meaningful longevity
During your consultation, Dr. Cheng will evaluate your facial anatomy, skin quality, and specific aging patterns, then recommend the most appropriate approach, including whether a neck lift, eyelid surgery, fat transfer, or skin resurfacing should be combined to achieve the most balanced, natural rejuvenation.
