Face and Neck Lift

Welcome to the ‘Undetectable Era’

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Welcome to the 'undetectable era' of facial rejuvenation.

Today, more and more individuals in their 40s and early 50s are choosing to stay ahead of the aging curve with subtle, natural-looking rejuvenation.

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Facelift and Neck Lift Surgery in New York City

The face and neck are among the first areas to show visible signs of aging. Loss of skin elasticity, weakened support structures, and changes in fat distribution can create jowls, neck banding, and a tired appearance. A facelift or neck lift remains the gold standard for restoring youthful, natural definition. At Dr. Masoud Saman’s NYC practice, facelift surgery is approached with artistry, precision, and a deep respect for balance and proportion.

What Makes a Good Facelift or Neck Lift?

A good facelift is not about pulling the skin tighter. Instead, it is about repositioning the deeper support structures of the face, the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) and retaining ligaments, to restore the foundation of youthful contours. When this deeper layer is addressed properly, the skin follows naturally, avoiding the “pulled” or “windblown” look of outdated face lifts.

A good neck lift does more than trim skin. It tightens the platysma muscles, redefines the jawline, and sculpts the angle between the chin and neck, producing a clean, elegant profile.

Types of Facelift Surgery

Modern facial plastic surgery offers a spectrum of approaches tailored to each patient’s anatomy and goals. Below is a comparison of the most common facelift and neck lift techniques:

Technique Best For Key Advantages Considerations
Deep Plane Facelift Moderate to advanced aging of midface, jowls, and neck Most natural and long lasting; restores midface volume and jawline definition Requires advanced training; slightly longer recovery
SMAS Facelift Jawline and lower face sagging Time tested and effective for jowls and mild to moderate laxity Less midface elevation than deep plane
Mini Facelift Younger patients, early jowls, mild laxity Shorter incisions, quicker recovery More subtle change; not ideal for advanced aging
Neck Lift Loose neck skin, bands, double chin fullness Sharper neck angle and refined jawline Often combined with a facelift for full harmony

The Deep Plane Facelift

One of the most advanced approaches is the deep plane facelift. Unlike a traditional SMAS facelift that manipulates only the surface of the support layer, the deep plane technique carefully releases the retaining ligaments and repositions the midface, jowls, and neck as a unit. This produces results that look natural, balanced, and long lasting. Because the lift is not dependent on skin tension, swelling resolves more gracefully and the face continues to age in harmony.

The SMAS Facelift

The SMAS facelift has been a trusted technique for decades. By tightening or repositioning the SMAS layer, surgeons can sharpen the jawline, smooth jowls, and restore youthful definition. In skilled hands, this method still provides beautiful outcomes and may be recommended in cases where a full deep plane release is not required.

Mini Facelift and Other Variations

For younger patients or those with early signs of aging, a mini facelift can offer a subtle refresh. This approach uses shorter incisions and limited SMAS adjustment to address mild jowling or early laxity. While the recovery may be quicker, results are naturally less dramatic than with a deep plane facelift or full neck lift.

Variations such as a short scar facelift or combined facelift and neck lift may also be appropriate depending on anatomy and goals. Dr. Saman carefully evaluates each patient to determine which approach will create the most natural and long lasting result.

Recovery Timeline After Facelift Surgery

Healing after a facelift or neck lift is a journey, and patients appreciate knowing what to expect:

  • Day 1–3: Swelling and tightness are most noticeable. Discomfort is well controlled with medication and rest.
  • Week 1: Bruising begins to fade. Most patients feel comfortable moving around and doing light activities.
  • Week 2: Stitches are typically removed. Many patients feel ready to return to work or social activities with makeup.
  • Weeks 3–4: Swelling continues to improve. Jawline and neck definition become more visible.
  • Months 2–3: Final refinements appear. Patients enjoy a refreshed, natural look without obvious signs of surgery.

Risks and Safety

Like all surgery, a facelift carries risks such as bleeding, infection, asymmetry, or delayed healing. However, when performed by a double board certified facial plastic surgeon in an accredited facility, these risks are minimized. Dr. Saman’s reconstructive background gives him additional expertise in managing complex anatomy and ensuring both safety and artistry. Choosing a qualified surgeon is the most important step toward achieving beautiful and safe results.

Who is a Candidate?

Candidates for a facelift or neck lift include individuals experiencing sagging skin, jowls, loss of jawline definition, or visible neck bands. Ideal candidates are in good health, have realistic expectations, and want results that surgery alone can provide, improvements that nonsurgical treatments cannot match.

Examples include:

  • A 45 year old noticing early jowls who may benefit from a mini facelift.
  • A 55 year old with midface descent and laxity, best served by a deep plane facelift.
  • A 60 year old with loose skin and neck banding who may require a facelift combined with a neck lift.

How to Recognize a Well Done Facelift

The hallmark of a good facelift is that it goes unnoticed. Friends may comment that you look refreshed, well rested, or more vibrant, but they cannot pinpoint why. Key features of a well performed face lift or necklift include:

  • A smooth, well defined jawline without harsh angles or tightness
  • Natural midface volume with no distortion around the eyes or mouth
  • Neck free of banding, sagging, or excess fullness
  • Incisions hidden along natural curves of the ear and hairline
  • Results that are elegant, classic, and timeless, not trendy or artificial

Dr. Saman’s Approach to Facelift Surgery

Dr. Masoud Saman is known for his nuanced, patient specific approach to facelift and neck lift surgery. With advanced training in deep plane facelifts, SMAS techniques, and reconstructive surgery, he draws on a wide range of methods to tailor each operation. His philosophy is simple: the technique should serve the patient, not the other way around.

As a double board certified facial plastic surgeon with international training, Dr. Saman combines meticulous surgical skill with an artistic eye. His goal is not to make patients look different, but to restore harmony, balance, and confidence. Patients describe his results as refined, natural, and timeless.

Schedule a Consultation

Choosing a surgeon is the most important decision in the facelift journey. Dr. Masoud Saman’s expertise, training, and artistry make him a trusted choice for patients seeking elegant, natural, and lasting results. If you are considering a facelift or neck lift in New York City, schedule a consultation today to discover which approach is right for you.

Facelift Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions

Facelift techniques have evolved significantly. From deep plane facelifts to SMAS lifts and mini facelifts, patients now have highly customized options. Below you’ll find expert insights on modern facelift surgery, recovery, and results — all through the lens of Dr. Masoud Saman’s nuanced, patient-first approach.

What is a facelift?

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that repositions sagging facial tissues, reduces jowls, and restores youthful jawline and cheek definition. Modern facelifts are not about pulling skin tighter. Instead, surgeons address the deeper support structures, known as the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), to achieve natural, long lasting results.

At Dr. Saman’s NYC practice, facelifts are tailored individually. This means a patient with early laxity may benefit from a mini facelift, while another with midface and neck aging may be better served with a deep plane approach. The artistry lies in knowing which technique will create balance without ever looking “done.”

What are the different types of facelift techniques?

Several facelift variations are available today, each addressing different levels of aging:

  • Deep plane facelift – releases retaining ligaments beneath the SMAS to elevate the midface, jawline, and neck as a unit. Provides the most natural, long lasting results and is ideal for moderate to advanced aging.
  • SMAS facelift – repositions or tightens the SMAS layer. Effective for jawline refinement and jowls. Can be performed via plication (folding/tightening) or imbrication (resection and repositioning).
  • Mini facelift – smaller incisions and limited SMAS work. Best for younger patients or those with early jowls and mild laxity. Recovery is typically shorter, but changes are less dramatic than a full facelift.
  • Short-scar facelift – uses incisions hidden around the ear and hairline. Helpful for patients who want less visible scars.
  • Facelift with neck lift – often combined to treat platysmal banding, double chin fullness, or loose neck skin for a sharper profile.

Dr. Saman does not believe in a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Instead, he matches the technique to the patient’s anatomy, skin thickness, degree of laxity, and personal goals.

Deep plane vs. SMAS facelift: which is better?

Neither technique is universally better. The deep plane facelift allows the surgeon to mobilize midface and jawline tissues more comprehensively, which can restore youthful volume and contour with minimal skin tension. It tends to produce results that age more naturally.

The SMAS facelift is a time-tested technique that addresses the jowls and lower face effectively. It may be preferred for certain anatomies or when less extensive changes are needed.

The choice depends on the patient, not the surgeon’s preference. Dr. Saman is trained in both approaches and selects the one that will achieve the most natural, elegant result for the individual.

Do celebrities get facelifts?

Media outlets often speculate about facelifts in public figures. For example, names like Kris Jenner, Lindsay Lohan, and Brad Pitt have been mentioned in the press in connection with facial rejuvenation. Whether or not these individuals have undergone surgery is private and unconfirmed unless disclosed by them.

What is true is that many celebrities gravitate toward deep plane and SMAS facelifts because these methods can achieve subtle, natural looking improvement without obvious signs of surgery. Patients seeking timeless results can benefit from the same nuanced surgical planning that high profile individuals reportedly seek.

How long does a facelift last?

A high quality facelift often lasts 8 to 12 years, depending on genetics, lifestyle, and skin quality. The deep plane facelift tends to have the most durable results because it repositions deeper structures rather than relying on skin tension.

It is important to note that no facelift stops the natural aging process. Instead, it resets the clock, so patients continue to age but from a more youthful baseline.

What is recovery like after a facelift?

Recovery varies depending on the technique. Most patients can expect 7 to 14 days of social downtime. Swelling improves steadily over several weeks, and final refinement may continue for months. Mini facelifts generally involve faster recovery, while deep plane facelifts may require a little longer for swelling to resolve but deliver more comprehensive results.

Dr. Saman uses advanced protocols including meticulous surgical technique, careful incision planning, and comprehensive aftercare to support comfort and healing.

How does Dr. Saman’s approach stand out?

Many surgeons promote one technique as “the best.” Dr. Masoud Saman takes a more nuanced approach, blending artistry, technical mastery, and individualized planning. His goal is a result that looks classic and timeless — never overdone.

Patients trust him for elegant outcomes because he selects the right technique for each case, whether deep plane, SMAS, mini, or combination facelift with neck lift. This personalization, combined with his reconstructive background, allows him to achieve results that are natural, balanced, and enduring.

For more information, schedule a consultation with Dr. Masoud Saman in NYC and learn how modern facelift techniques can be tailored to your goals.

Dr. Saman wearing scrubs, a face mask, hair cover, and a head-mounted light, working in a surgical environment while performing a combined rhinoplasty and deep plane facelift procedure in Manhattan.

Our Approach and Philosophy

Our facelift philosophy: natural, elegant rejuvenation, never pulled or artificial. Utilizing advanced deep plane techniques for long-lasting, undetectable results, restoring a refreshed, younger you.

How is Modern Facelifting Different?

  1. Deeper Repositioning for Natural Results: Modern deep plane techniques allow for the repositioning of underlying facial structures, yielding a more natural and long-lasting rejuvenation, avoiding a "pulled" appearance.

  2. Younger Patient Demographics & Recovery: With more individuals opting for facelifts in their 40s and early 50s, patients generally experience better and faster recovery due to their age and overall health.

  3. Enhanced Surgical Understanding & Skill: A deeper understanding of facial anatomy and refined surgical techniques have led to more predictable, effective, and aesthetically pleasing outcomes.

  4. Advanced Ancillary Techniques: The integration of technologies like laser skin resurfacing and radiofrequency (RF) treatments allows for additional skin tightening, texture improvement, and overall refinement of the surgical results.

  5. Safer Surgery with Modern Tools & Protocols: Contemporary surgical tools, advanced anesthesia protocols, and comprehensive patient management strategies contribute to a safer and more comfortable surgical experience with improved outcomes.

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  • Achieving timeless and natural facial rejuvenation requires a nuanced understanding of surgical artistry, a principle central to the practice of Dr. Masoud Saman in NYC and surrounding New York areas like Long Island, Westchester, and New Jersey. While the internet often touts a singular "best" approach, the reality is that different facelift techniques, such as the transformative deep plane facelift and the versatile SMAS facelift, each hold a valuable place in achieving optimal outcomes. Dr. Saman recognizes that technique alone is merely a tool; it is the surgeon's expertise and meticulous application, tailored to individual facial anatomy and aesthetic goals, that truly brings about exceptional, un-pulled results. Whether addressing deeper structural concerns with a deep plane lift for profound rejuvenation or employing an SMAS lift for targeted enhancement, Dr. Masoud Saman's personalized approach ensures elegant and lasting beauty for patients across the New York metropolitan area.

  • For discerning individuals in NYC, New York, Long Island, Westchester, and New Jersey – and drawing patients from LA, London, Dubai, and across the globe, including CEOs and celebrities who entrust their faces to his expertise – Dr. Masoud Saman offers hyper-specialized facial rejuvenation. His intensive training alongside world-renowned surgeons internationally has cultivated a profound artistic eye and mastery of diverse, cutting-edge facelift techniques. Dr. Saman's comprehensive approach goes beyond superficial tightening, focusing on the intricate 3D structure of the face, strategically repositioning tissues and restoring lost volume for truly transformative and natural results. His unique techniques also prioritize minimizing downtime. Furthermore, Dr. Saman integrates advanced modalities like PRF, LED light therapy, lasers, and radiofrequency to enhance final outcomes. Choose Dr. Masoud Saman for a personalized journey to lasting, elegant facial harmony, trusted by those who demand the very best.

  • For individuals seeking facial rejuvenation with minimized interruption to their busy lives, Dr. Masoud Saman offers a refined minimal downtime approach. Building upon his early published work in 2012 highlighting the positive effects of intrasurgical PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin), Dr. Saman has developed a proprietary protocol of adjunctive supplements and treatments designed to significantly reduce swelling and discomfort, allowing for a swifter and more discreet recovery. Experience this artistry in NYC, New York, Long Island, the Hamptons, Westchester, Connecticut communities like Greenwich and Darien, and for those traveling from LA, London, Dubai, and worldwide.

“More and more of my patients are coming in during their 40s and 50s.

It isn’tbecause they need a dramatic change, but because results have never been this refined. With today’s techniques, they’re choosing to enjoy the benefits sooner, while everything still looks natural and effortless.”

— Dr. Saman

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