They say the best work is invisible. And lately, we're noticing more faces looking suspiciously flawless. Is it Ozempic? Is it lighting? Or are we all just too online? Maybe—but then there’s celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Lindsay Lohan, Kris Jenner. All three have sparked whispers for their strikingly lifted, snatched, almost-too-good faces. And while none of them have confirmed anything (except Kris, who called hers “life-changing” on "The Kardashians"), one thing is clear: the facelift is no longer a dirty word. In fact, it’s getting a total rebrand.
According to Dr. David Shafer, the shift is bigger than trends. “People today are more informed,” he says. “They’re researching techniques, comparing surgeons, and asking smarter questions.” And Dr. Gabriel Chiu noted that modern facelifts aren’t about drastic change, but refinement: “It’s not just about lifting—it’s about restoring youthful balance and harmony.”
Still think facelifts are just for 60-somethings? “The idea of waiting until it’s ‘bad enough’ is outdated,” says Shafer. Today, it’s less about how old you are and more about what your face is telling you. “It’s not about age—it’s about anatomy, goals, and expectations,” says Dr. Shafer. “I had a 35-year-old who looked 50, and a 70-year-old who looked 50.” What really matters is skin laxity, bone structure, volume loss, and how you want to age. Weight loss—especially rapid shifts from drugs like Ozempic—can also accelerate visible aging, particularly in the lower face and neck. With improved techniques and gentler surgical options, more patients (cough, celebs) in their 30s and 40s are considering face lifts.
Dr. Garth Fisher points that face lifts are also becoming more popular because people are seeking surgical solutions after years of temporary fixes. “They’ve done the fillers, they’ve done the lasers, and now they want something that lasts,” he said. So no, these are not your mama’s facelifts. They’re gentler, more refined, and built to last..
Ahead: the new rules of the facelift, according to the industry’s best surgeons.
#1: The First Facelift Is The Most Important
When it comes to facelifts, your first is your finest. “There’s no scar tissue...you’re going to get your best facelift," says Dr. Fisher (who actually did Kris Jenner’s first facelift). That clean canvas gives surgeons the optimal opportunity to lift, contour, and reposition without working around the complications of previous work. While many people still think of facelifts as a once-you’ve-tried-everything-else decision, the reality is a bit more nuanced. “For many, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime procedure,” says Dr. David Shafer, “but for those who want to maintain results, you might consider another every 10 to 12 years.”
So how do you know when it’s time? It’s less about a specific number and more about anatomy, goals, and expectations. If the reflection in the mirror no longer matches how you feel—and you’re tired of cycling through filler, lasers, and energy devices with diminishing returns—it may be time to consider going surgical. A well-timed first facelift can be the most natural, impactful thing you do for your face—and you may not need another for over a decade.
#2: Why SMAs Change Everything
If the phrase “deep plane” or “SMAS” facelift sounds intimidating, don’t worry—it’s actually the reason modern facelifts don’t look like facelifts. SMAS stands for Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System, a layer of muscle and connective tissue that sits just beneath the skin and controls much of your facial expression and shape. Instead of just pulling skin tighter (a hallmark of the outdated “windblown” facelift), today’s approach lifts and repositions the SMAS itself for more natural, longer-lasting results.
And there’s more than one way to work with it. “There are many ways to manipulate the SMAS,” says Dr. Fisher. “You can dissect underneath it, fold it on top of itself, or even cut a section of it out entirely. Some surgeons go in from a higher or lower plane—it all depends on the anatomy and skill of the surgeon.” By working below the surface to lift and support the face’s foundational layers, surgeons can restore youthful contours without visible tension or distortion. “Skin isn’t a great vehicle for tension,” Dr. Fisher explains. “That’s when you see pulling at the scars and around the ears.”
#3: It's Not One Thing—It's Everything
Once upon a time, a facelift was just that—a single procedure to pull the skin tighter and call it a day. But today? The modern facelift is just one act in a full-face symphony. Think: volume restoration, skin resurfacing, collagen boosting, and subtle tightening—each treatment enhancing the other. “You need that surgical foundation, but also all those other elements,” says Dr. Shafer, who calls it a “layered approach.” Dr. Chiu agrees: “A facelift with a neck lift, fat grafting, or laser resurfacing… It's about customizing the mix for each individual.”
And timing matters too. Some doctors prefer to space out treatments. “I like to do the facelift first and wait three months,” says Dr. Fisher. “Let the skin heal, let the swelling go down—then you can go in and decide where to place filler or do laser. It’s safer, more accurate, and avoids over-stressing the tissue.” The bottom line? The new facelift isn’t just surgery—it’s strategy.
@krisjenner
#4: Don't Focus On Filters
In the age of FaceTune, filters, and front-facing perfection, it’s easy to confuse flawless with real. But what you’re seeing on Instagram and TikTok? Often, it’s not reality. “Surgery isn’t Photoshop,” says Dr. Chiu. “The best results come from enhancing reality, not trying to mimic a filter. Dr. Fisher puts it more bluntly: “I don’t do filter surgery.”
I brought up a 35-year-old woman I’d met who told me she was flying to Turkey to “look like her filter.” She’d already had Botox and filler, chasing a perfectly smooth, snatched look inspired by a TikTok that promised someone looked “20 years younger overnight.” Their response was immediate. “Social media and filters are a double-edged sword,” said Dr. Shafer. “They raise awareness but also create unrealistic standards. That’s why you need a board-certified surgeon who will customize your treatment—not just plug you into an assembly line.” And the reality behind the viral transformations? “People forget what goes into those images,” says Chiu. “Not just great genes or great surgery, but professional lighting, expert makeup, post-production, and teams of stylists.”
#5: Don't Forget The Neck
Your face may be snatched—but what about your neck? Overlooking the area below your jawline is one of the most common (and obvious) mistakes patients make. “Usually we do them together,” says Dr. Shafer. “If you only treat one area, like the brow or cheeks, the results can look unbalanced.”
That’s why today’s facelifts almost always include the neck. Sagging skin, visible banding, and crepey texture under the chin can all betray an otherwise refreshed face. And no matter how sculpted your jawline is, it won’t land unless the neck beneath it looks just as smooth. Neck lifts also tend to age especially well—especially when combined with fat grafting, radiofrequency tightening, or PRF injections. In other words, it’s not an optional add-on. It’s the foundation for a truly cohesive result.
#6: Pick The Artist, Not Just The Price
A good facelift isn't about chasing the cheapest quote or the most dramatic TikTok transformation. It’s about choosing a surgeon whose aesthetic aligns with yours—and who knows your face better than a filter ever could. One viral example? A 50-something-year old woman who spent $15,000 on a facelift in Guadalajara and stunned TikTok with her youthful results. But even when the outcome looks impressive, the full story is rarely shown. “There are excellent surgeons all over the world,” says Dr. Shafer, “but the part that people forget about is follow-up visits, post-op care, and complications.”
In other words, even great results come with real-world logistics. Traveling abroad for surgery can limit your access to the ongoing support and safety net that a local surgeon provides. There’s no shame in wanting the best version of yourself—but that version should still be you. And the best results? They come from surgeons who see your face not as a template to tweak, but as something worth honoring.
The Takeaway
As the pros put it, the goal isn’t to make you look different. It’s to make people wonder if you just got back from vacation, fell in love, or started sleeping eight hours a night. Whatever it is—they won’t be able to place it. And that’s the point.
Some Invisible Facelift FAQs:
What to Bring to Your Consultation
Clarity is everything. Bring photos of yourself from 10 to 15 years ago—not celebrity screenshots or filtered selfies. They help your surgeon understand your natural baseline and aging trajectory. Be honest about what’s bothering you and what outcomes you’re hoping for. Use words like “natural,” “refreshed,” and “rested” instead of “snatched” or “tight.” And don’t be afraid to ask about both surgical and non-surgical options—your ideal plan may include a mix.
Do Fillers Replace a Facelift?
Short answer: no. Strategic filler can delay the need for surgery or complement results afterward—but it won’t do the same job. Fillers can restore volume in the cheeks, temples, or under-eyes, but they can’t address skin laxity or muscle descent. And too much filler can actually distort the face over time. As several surgeons pointed out, “filler fatigue” is real—and often, a well-done facelift is the more natural (and ultimately more cost-effective) solution.
What's the Recovery and Downtime?
Facelift recovery isn’t the horror story it used to be. The first week is about rest, swelling, and letting your body heal. Most people are back to light activity after a week, and back to socializing—with makeup—by week two. Bruising can take a few weeks to fully fade, but pain is usually minimal and well-managed with medication. Neck tightness is common but temporary. While final results settle in over months, most patients look like a more refreshed version of themselves within weeks—not months.
What Does a Facelift Actually Cost?
Pricing depends on your location, surgeon, and what’s included. In major cities like New York or LA, a high-end deep plane facelift with a neck lift might range from $30,000 to $100,000+—especially when combined with fat grafting, laser resurfacing, or other treatments. But don’t be tempted by too-good-to-be-true pricing abroad or on social media. The cost of revision surgery or complications far outweighs any upfront savings. As the surgeons put it: you get one face—invest wisely.
