A Brief History of the Facelift
Facelifts have been performed since the 1950s, but the techniques have come a long way.
- The earliest facelifts involved simply pulling back and removing excess skin. Unfortunately, this didn’t last — the skin would stretch again.
- In the 1970s, a breakthrough came with Dr. Ivo Pitanguy of Brazil, who pioneered the SMAS facelift. This approach lifted deeper tissues beneath the skin, reducing tension on the surface and creating more natural, longer-lasting results.
- In the 1990s, Dr. Sam Hamra advanced the technique further with the Deep Plane Facelift. This method goes even deeper — lifting the fat, fascia, and muscle as one unit to restore a youthful facial structure.
My Preferred Technique
Over the years, my own approach has evolved — from traditional SMAS lifts to now routinely performing Deep Plane Facelifts. This technique offers the most natural-looking, long-lasting rejuvenation, particularly for patients with significant midface descent and jowling.
What Does “Full Facelift” Actually Mean?
The term “Full Facelift” is widely misunderstood — even by surgeons.
Patients tell me all the time:
“I don’t want a full facelift — just a little lift.”
But here’s the issue: “Full facelift” means different things to different people.
Let’s break it down:
What Some Patients Think It Means
A mini-facelift with less downtime
A limited lower facelift
What It Might Actually Involve
A facial procedure that includes Botox, fillers, or lasers
Non-surgical enhancements
This kind of confusion can lead to unmet expectations, which is why I make it a point to clearly define surgical terminology with every patient.
My Definition: What Is a Full Facelift?
In my practice, a Full Facelift includes these three core components:
- Neck Lift – Tightens loose neck skin and underlying muscle
- Midface (Lower Face) Lift – Lifts the cheeks and jawline
- Brow Lift – Raises sagging eyebrows and opens the upper face
These procedures can be done together or separately, but when combined, they provide the most balanced and harmonious facial rejuvenation.
❗ Eyelid surgery, skin treatments, Botox, and lasers are not part of the Full Facelift — but they can complement it beautifully.
Enhancements That Complement a Full Facelift
While not part of the facelift itself, the following ancillary procedures can enhance your result:
👁 Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
- Removes sagging skin or bags under the eyes
- Can be performed alongside a facelift
💉 Botox / Dysport
- Softens dynamic wrinkles (frown lines, crow’s feet, forehead lines)
🔬 Laser Skin Resurfacing
- ResurFX, Fraxel, CO₂ lasers improve skin texture and fine lines
- I prefer ResurFX for its shorter 2-day recovery time
💡 IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
- Targets red and brown pigmentation to even out skin tone
- Each of these can be done during or after your facelift to fine-tune the result and improve skin quality.
Final Thoughts from Dr. Janjua
If you’re considering a facelift, it’s crucial to speak the same language as your surgeon. What one person calls a “full facelift” may only be part of the equation.
At Janjua Facial Surgery, I define a Full Facelift as:
A combination of neck lift, lower face/midface lift, and brow lift
Anything else — from eyelids to lasers — are enhancements, not part of the core lift.
Clarity, education, and communication are the foundations of great results — and that’s what you can expect at my practice.
💬 Ready to Learn More or Schedule a Consultation?
Contact my office for a detailed discussion about your facelift options and how we work to minimize risks while maximizing results.