The Face You Want

Facelift Benefits

Facelift surgery is performed to lift and firm sagging skin and tissues of the mid to lower face and neck. By addressing the deeper structures of the face, Dr. Azar creates results that are both natural and long-lasting. Here are some of the key benefits of facelift surgery:

A More Defined Jawline — A facelift can reduce jowls and tighten loose skin along the jawline, restoring clean, youthful definition.
Lifted, Fuller Cheeks — As we age, volume shifts downward. Dr. Azar repositions this volume where it belongs—bringing fullness back to the mid-face without adding artificial implants.
Smoother Lines and Folds — Deep creases like nasolabial folds and marionette lines are softened or even eliminated through careful lifting and repositioning of the skin and underlying tissues.
A Rejuvenated Neck — Whether it’s banding, loose skin, or excess fullness under the chin, facelift surgery addresses the neck area as well, so your results look seamless from every angle.
A Refreshed, Natural Appearance — The goal isn’t to make you look different—it’s to help you look like yourself, just more rested and youthful.

Facelift surgery is especially effective for women and men in their 40s to 60s, but age alone doesn't determine candidacy. If you’re starting to feel like the face in the mirror doesn’t match the way you feel inside, a facelift might be the right next step.

Westlake village facelift model with blonde hair

Restore Balance, Volume & Definition

What Aesthetic Issues Does a Facelift Address?

A facelift is a powerful procedure that helps reverse some of the most visible signs of facial aging. Dr. Azar uses a personalized approach to address different areas of concern, tailoring each facelift to your unique needs and anatomy. Here are some of the most common aesthetic concerns a facelift can improve:

Sagging in the Lower Face and Jawline — One of the most noticeable signs of aging is the loss of definition in the jawline. A facelift lifts and repositions this area to restore smoother contours and reduce jowling.
Loose Skin and Muscle in the Neck — A sagging neck often goes hand-in-hand with lower face aging. Most facelifts include a neck lift to address excess skin and tighten the underlying muscles.
Flattened or Hollow-Looking Cheeks — As we age, the fat pads in the mid-face can deflate or shift downward, leading to a tired or sunken look. Dr. Azar often performs a mid-face lift using an endoscopic technique to gently elevate and support the cheeks.
Deep Nasolabial Folds (Smile Lines) — These creases that run from the nose to the mouth can become more pronounced over time. During a facelift, the skin can be lifted in a way that naturally smooths and softens deep folds for a refreshed, more youthful appearance.
General Skin Laxity and Facial Volume Loss — A facelift tightens the skin and deeper tissues, helping reduce the look of loose or drooping areas. In some cases, Dr. Azar may recommend combining your facelift with fat transfer or fillers to restore lost volume in targeted areas.

If you're not sure which areas are your biggest concern, Westlake Village facelift surgeon, Dr. Azar will help you understand your options during your consultation. The goal is always to create natural-looking, balanced results—never an overdone or pulled appearance.

Science Meets Aesthetic Vision

The Facelift Procedure

Every facelift performed by Dr. Azar is customized to the individual, but the foundation of the procedure remains the same: restore youthful contours by repositioning and tightening the deeper layers of the face—not just the skin.

The surgery typically takes about three hours, although that can vary depending on the extent of correction and whether other procedures (like eyelid surgery or fat transfer) are performed at the same time.

Dr. Azar usually performs facelifts under general anesthesia, always with a board-certified anesthesiologist present for your safety. However, for select patients, sedation with local anesthesia may be an option. This can be discussed during your consultation, depending on your health, comfort level, and procedure plan.

Dr. Azar carefully lifts and tightens the underlying muscle and connective tissue layers (including the SMAS) to restore a natural, youthful structure. The incisions are discreetly placed—usually hidden within the hairline, around the ear, and sometimes under the chin—depending on what’s needed.

What about scarring? Dr. Azar uses shorter incisions than traditional facelifts. He limits incisions behind the ears and avoids extending along the back hairline, so you can wear your hair up without worrying about visible scars. Precision closure and expert placement ensure scars are as minimal and hidden as possible.

Advanced Facelift Techniques

Innovative Methods For Outstanding Results

For long-lasting, natural-looking facelift outcomes, Dr. Azar performs facelift procedures that involve deeper tissues of the face called the SMAS, or superficial musculoaponeurotic system.

The SMAS is a thin layer of connective tissue (fascia) below the skin but above the muscle layer of the face. Dr. Azar performs most facelift procedures using 2 techniques: SMAS advancement uses discreet incisions along the hairline, by the ear, and sometimes under the chin, so there are no telltale scars along the hairline on the back of the neck. Dr. Azar goes to the SMAS and tightens the face's muscle layer, then re-drapes facial skin and removes the excess. There is no pulling on the skin to lift the face, so the result is much more natural looking. SMAS plication involves drawing up and “folding” the natural muscle layer of the face that has drooped into the jowl.

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This produces a nice, full cheekbone and eliminates the jowl, all without disturbing the facial nerves or lymphatic vessels beneath the SMAS. This technique produces a beautiful, long-lasting facelift result and a quicker, more comfortable recovery.

Thousand Oaks facelift model with blonde hair

Rest. Heal. Reveal.

Facelift Recovery

Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how manageable facelift recovery is when performed with expert technique. Here’s what to expect after your procedure:

You’ll go home the same day as your surgery with detailed instructions and support. You’ll likely experience some swelling and bruising, especially in the first few days, but these typically begin to fade quickly.

Most patients feel comfortable enough to go out in public, with some light cover-up, within about a week. You may not be ready for all social events right away, but you’ll likely feel back to yourself and ready to return to work in 10 to 14 days.

As with any surgery, there are risks. However, Dr. Azar’s advanced specialty training in facial nerve and muscle surgery gives him a unique level of precision and experience in avoiding complications like facial nerve injury.

Dr. Azar and his team will see you for follow-up appointments to monitor your progress, answer questions, and guide you through your recovery. Patient comfort, safety, and satisfaction are the top priorities every step of the way.

A facelift typically takes about 3 hours, depending on the condition of your skin, your desired results, and whether or not your facelift procedure is being combined with other cosmetic surgery procedures.

Facelift Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens To The Mid-Face As We Age?

The cheeks tend to flatten with age. Take a look at your high school yearbook picture and notice your cheeks. Chances are you will see you had very prominent, round cheeks – they were rounded like a golf ball and pinchable. By age 45, many women’s cheeks look more like a flattened egg. A teenager’s cheeks have a reflection of light that reveals youthful beauty.

Which Age Group Is Best Suited For A Facelift?

“The ideal time to have a facelift is between ages 47 and 57. Patients younger than 47 should have a very good, solid reason to have a facelift – as in the case of actors or individuals with facial features that make them look older than their age. Patients older than 57 are still candidates for a facelift, but they may need to undergo a more conservative procedure to maintain a natural look.”

How Does Your Facelift Technique Produce Natural-Looking Results?

“I perform what’s called a SMAS advancement. The SMAS, or superficial musculoaponeurotic system, is the covering below the skin, but above the muscle layer of the face. When I do a facelift, I go below the SMAS and tighten the face’s muscle layer. Then I simply re-drape the facial skin and remove the excess skin. I’m not pulling on the skin to lift the face. I’m restructuring the muscle and then gently re-draping the skin for a very natural look – not the ‘windswept’ look of old-fashioned facelifts. People tell my facelift patients that they look rested, like they’ve just been on a Caribbean cruise. Nobody can really tell they’ve had surgery.”

How Does The Endotine™ Technique Work?

“The Endotine device, developed by Coapt Systems reduces the need for stitches and improves the accuracy and simplicity of brow lift and eyelid lift procedures.”

Do You Offer Mini Facelifts?

“No – and for good reason. Mini facelifts, which are marketed under several different names, including the S-lift (for the shape of the incision) and the thread lift, among others, are very market-driven. I think patients should be cautious about these minimally invasive techniques. A very small number of women – perhaps 5% – can get a lasting benefit from a mini-facelift. But most women who have a mini-facelift are likely to be back where they started in 2 or 3 years. A full facelift provides a much longer-lasting result.”

Do You Ever Combine A Facelift With Injectable Fillers?

“Yes, I do use injectable dermal fillers with the facelift. When I do a facelift, I almost always inject the nasolabial folds – the creases that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth. Sometimes I inject what’s called the “tear trough” – the area underneath the eyelids. A lot of people end up with grooves underneath the lower eyelids, so that can easily be injected at the same time as the facelift. The cheekbones can be accentuated with filler as well.”

How Can You Correct The Nasolabial Folds During A Facelift?

“I borrow a little bit of fascia, which is like a big connective tissue layer on the temporal area, and graft it into the nasolabial folds under the skin. We always try to use your own tissues when we can.”

Is a Facelift painful?

While most patients experience some mild discomfort, tenderness, or a tight sensation, most do not have considerable pain with a facelift.

What are the risks associated with a Facelift?

Like any surgery, facelift comes with possible risks, including bleeding, infection, or swelling. More serious but rare risks include anesthesia complications or injury to the facial nerves.

Is a Facelift permanent?

A facelift typically lasts around 10-15 years, depending on the patient and the technique used. However, it is not considered permanent since it will not stop signs of aging from occurring in the future.

How long does a facelift last?

Most facelift results last 10 years or more. While your face will continue to age naturally, you'll always look younger than if you hadn't had the procedure. Lifestyle choices, skincare, and genetics also play a role in how long the results last.

Do facelifts include the neck?

Yes, a neck lift surgery is often part of a traditional facelift. Dr. Azar routinely addresses both the face and neck together for a seamless, natural-looking result. In more advanced cases, a separate neck procedure may be recommended for best results.

Does a facelift improve the Adam's apple?

No, a facelift does not affect the Adam's apple. If you're concerned about the appearance of your neck or jawline, Dr. Azar can recommend the most appropriate procedure to improve those areas while leaving the Adam's apple untouched.

What is a non-surgical facelift?

A non-surgical facelift uses treatments like injectable fillers, Botox®, or skin tightening devices (such as radiofrequency or ultrasound-based therapies) to rejuvenate the face without surgery. While helpful for early signs of aging, these treatments can't match the lifting and reshaping power of a surgical facelift.

What is a good age to get a facelift?

There's no "perfect" age—it's more about your individual anatomy and goals. Most facelift patients are in their 40s to 60s, but younger or older patients may also benefit. The best time is when signs of aging start to bother you and non-surgical treatments are no longer giving you the results you want.

What is a ponytail facelift?

A "ponytail facelift" is a term often used online to describe a minimally invasive lift that targets the upper face, aiming for that pulled-back look you get when your hair is tied tight. Dr. Azar can recreate a lifted, refreshed appearance with custom facelift techniques tailored to your features.

Facelift

Facelift in Thousand Oaks

Facelift Before & Afters

What is a Facelift?