People age differently. But a lot of us, as we get older, we start to see changes that don’t make us feel very “us” anymore. We see that saggy jowls, or heaviness in the lower face, or a neck that just seems to lose energy.
Some years ago, it was thought that facelifts (and other facial surgeries) were about something fake and superficial. However, nowadays, thanks to developments in medical science, they are seen differently.
At Revive Surgical Institute, Dr. Morad Askari (voted America’s Best Plastic Surgeon 2025 by Newsweek) and Dr. David Gerth believe that any face surgery should restore its natural balance and structure. And that’s an approach they feel sets them apart from many other surgeons.
Below, they share some of their insights about modern facelifts, how to make people feel and look fresh again, and the future of such surgeries.
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When “Looking Younger” Stops Being the Goal
A facelift used to be all about getting that super-tight skin look, even some years ago. But now, things have changed.
People aren’t just looking for any way to appear younger than they used to. Instead, they want something different. They want to look like their old selves, only with fresher and more alive skin.
“It’s not about denying you’re getting older…aging is fine!” says Dr. Askari. “It’s more about fixing the harmony with which we are born. So if you feel tired, heavy, or down in the face, well…this procedure can help!”
This different outlook has transformed facelift surgery. Instead of desiring a noticeable difference, now patients seek subtle corrections that maintain character, flow, and gesture.
If you raise an eyebrow, it should still look intrigued. And when you smile? Those lines around your mouth still should show up in all their familiar places.
Why the Face Ages Differently Than We Expect
Why did traditional facelifts used to look so unnatural? The reason is that they treated aging as just a skin problem.
But we now know the face ages in a number of layers: Its bone structure changes gradually. Fat pads move downward. Muscles lose their ability to support. And skin stretches out to accommodate those deeper changes.
“Skin is never the problem itself. It’s the messenger,” explains Dr. Gerth. “If you just tighten the part people see, you ignore what’s actually causing the change.”
At Revive Surgical Institute, facelift surgery begins underneath that very skin. When they lift and reposition the face’s fat, muscle, and connective tissue, this rejuvenates the face.
Then the skin can be laid back more easily, rather than pulled tight like wallpaper being hung by a decorator. This approach is what allows results to look soft and expressive instead of strained.
Technique Gives Options – Judgment Creates Results
Facelift surgeries are now more varied than ever. There are deep-plane facelifts, SMAS facelifts, mini facelifts, and even less invasive techniques for those just beginning to see signs of aging.
Having options is good. But it can also lead to problems: are people picking procedures because they’re suited to their faces or simply following fads?
“It’s about making the right call for each individual patient,” says Dr. Askari. “Our job is to help people look their best by figuring out exactly how much change they need. And sometimes, we recommend less rather than more.”
No two faces are alike. Surgeons take into consideration each patient’s unique combination of bone structure, skin condition, fat deposits, and how they’ve aged over time when creating a treatment plan.
Some require more extensive work. Others do better with less. That’s why a good surgeon’s judgment is so important. Because there’s a big difference between looking just right and looking “done.”
The Consultation Is Where Grace Begins
A facelift doesn’t begin when a patient is simply lying on the operating table. It starts with a detailed consultation. Patients often come to surgeons unsure about exactly what they want but very clear on what they don’t want.
A common theme is a fear of looking “operated on,” or having scars that give away their “secret,” or losing the person they feel they are. It’s perfectly normal to feel this way.
In response to these worries, Dr. Askari and Dr. Gerth have developed an approach where they spend time exploring with every potential patient what lies behind their feelings. This helps them work out their goals.
They explain what facelifts can do well, how faces continue to age beyond surgery, and what improvements typically look like – all in straightforward terms without medical jargon.
This openness creates trust. And trust often means patients feeling confident with subtle results rather than going after extremes.
Supporting Facial Balance, Not Overcorrecting It
Sometimes a facelift is combined with other procedures to restore facial balance. But it’s not about just adding things on. The objective is still cohesion rather than simply accumulating more volume or moving skin from different areas.
As Dr Gerth explains: “You can think of the face as a working system: when you make an adjustment, it should feel right for that part but also fit with everything else.”
This mindset helps ensure outcomes don’t appear overdone or haphazardly cobbled together.
Who Ages Gracefully with a Facelift?
Age isn’t the only thing surgeons look at when considering someone for a facelift. While skin health and individual goals really matter, good general health is important too.
Some people who experience early ageing on their faces find it helps them look fresher. Others don’t notice changes in their shape or skin quality until they’re much older.
And when we get older, most of us are just used to seeing our reflection. So surgical procedures that alter how you look can be a bit disconcerting.
What really counts? Making sure the procedure fits well with how a face looks now, what you’d like it to look like, and feeling positive about why you want surgery.
When all these things are in sync, having a facelift is simply one way of aging gracefully with poise – rather than making a dramatic decision every decade.
The Future of Facelift Surgery
The real future of facelifts is quieter and more intentional. It’s about finding harmony rather than seeking fake new looks. And it’s about using good judgment instead of going for “too much.” It’s less and more often best.
With Dr. Morad Askari and Dr. David Gerth, facelifts are moving in a very different direction – one that is far less “transformational” and much more about restoring your appearance.
After all, elegant aging is not achieved by trying to appear younger. It involves looking appropriate for who you are and where you are now.