A modern facelift is defined less by a fashionable technique than by accurate diagnosis. Facial aging can involve tissue descent, volume change, skin laxity, bone remodeling and surface damage. A responsible plan identifies which layers and regions are responsible before choosing the operation.
Facial aging is three-dimensional
| Change | How it may appear | Possible treatment category |
|---|---|---|
| Tissue descent | Jowls, lower-face heaviness or selected cheek descent | SMAS, Deep Plane or another lifting approach |
| Volume loss | Temple, forehead, periorbital or cheek hollowing | Selected facial fat grafting or another volumizing option |
| Skin laxity | Redundant skin around the face or neck | Planned skin redraping and removal without excessive tension |
| Skin-quality change | Texture, pigment and fine lines | Dermatologic treatment, laser or other selected adjunct |
What deeper-tissue lifting means
Modern facelift techniques aim to place most lifting force on stronger tissues rather than relying on skin tension. Depending on anatomy, the surgeon may use SMAS plication, flap techniques, Deep Plane release or a combination. Deep Plane can improve selected lower-face and midface changes, but it is not universally superior or required for every patient.
The direction and extent of repositioning matter. Dr. June Favarin favors anatomy-based, often more vertical vectors when appropriate, with the goal of improving shape while preserving recognizable facial identity.
What a facelift does not treat by itself
A lower facelift does not automatically correct brow descent, eyelid ptosis, under-eye pigment, volume deficiency or every neck problem. Video-assisted brow and midface surgery, Hybrid Blepharoplasty, fat grafting, neck treatment or skin procedures may be considered separately. Combining procedures should answer a diagnosis—not create a surgical “package.”
Scars, risks and recovery
Incisions are usually placed around the ear and may extend into the temporal or posterior hairline depending on the plan. Scars cannot be guaranteed invisible. Risks include hematoma, infection, skin-healing problems, hairline change, asymmetry, prolonged swelling, sensory changes, temporary or permanent motor weakness and revision surgery.
Bruising and edema are most visible early, but tissue settling continues for months. Previous fillers, biostimulators, threads and permanent products can affect planning; dermatologic ultrasound may be recommended.
Planning surgery in Brazil
International patients should allow adequate time for the final in-person assessment and early follow-up—generally at least 15 days in Brazil after major facial surgery, adjusted to recovery. Belvivere operates through a hospital structure and provides international patient coordination.
Review facelift techniques matched to anatomy and three-dimensional facial rejuvenation. The “modern” choice is the one that treats the patient’s actual anatomy with an acceptable balance of benefit, risk and recovery.
