Facelifts are often perceived as interchangeable procedures, with differences limited to price or recovery time across practices. However, the qualifications of the person performing the facelift significantly influence how the procedure is designed and executed, as well as how the results age with your face.
A facial plastic surgeon’s understanding of facial aging extends beyond surface changes. It encompasses advanced knowledge of the facial nerve anatomy, soft-tissue dynamics, and the facial structures. This expertise determines whether the results appear naturally refreshed or subtly artificial. Consequently, patients seeking refined, long-lasting, and identity-preserving outcomes often find that facelifts performed by specialized facial plastic surgeons feel different, heal differently, and age differently.
The Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery has built a strong reputation by offering facelifts designed with exclusive facial specialization, academic leadership, and over two decades of focused experience treating the complexities of facial aging. As a dedicated facial plastic surgery center in Austin for more than 20 years—and an AAFPRS-accredited fellowship training site—our surgeons not only perform facelifts but also teach other surgeons how to conduct them. This distinction is important.
In this article, we will explain what truly sets these procedures apart and why facial specialization is essential for achieving natural, lasting facelift results.
Facial Plastic Surgeons Are Trained Exclusively in the Anatomy Facelifts Depend On
The face is the most anatomically complex and emotionally expressive part of the human body. It contains a dense network of nerves, muscles, ligaments, fat compartments, and vascular structures, all of which change predictably with age. Surgical rejuvenation requires far more than surface correction.
Facial plastic surgeons are uniquely trained to address aesthetic and functional concerns of the face and neck; they must complete:
- A five-year head and neck surgery residency
- An additional one-year facial plastic surgery fellowship
- Ongoing certification and re-certification focused exclusively on facial anatomy and surgery
This pathway emphasizes advanced knowledge of facial nerve preservation, soft-tissue mechanics, and age-related structural changes—critical factors for achieving natural, long-lasting results.
Facial Plastic Surgeons Lift the Face at Its Structural Foundation, Not Just the Skin
One of the most common misconceptions about facelift surgery is that it simply “tightens skin.” However, skin-only facelifts produce short-lived and often unnatural results.
Modern, high-quality facelift surgery focuses on the SMAS (Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System)—a deeper structural layer that supports the face and neck. Research confirms that repositioning deeper facial layers yields more natural results and longer-lasting rejuvenation.
At the Buckingham Center:
- Every lower facelift involves SMAS manipulation
- Techniques are customized, ranging from limited-incision to deep-plane facelifts
- Deeper facial ligaments are released when appropriate to restore youthful contours rather than create tension
This structural approach allows patients to look refreshed—not “pulled”—and ensures results age gracefully with the face.
Advanced Facelift Techniques Require Daily, Specialized Experience in Facial Surgery
Advanced facelift techniques, such as deep-plane facelift, require precise anatomical knowledge and extensive experience. These methods involve releasing retaining ligaments and elevating facial tissues as a single, natural unit.
Deep-plane techniques can:
- Improve midface descent and nasolabial folds
- Enhance jawline and neck definition
- Reduce tension on the skin, minimizing visible scarring
Because these techniques place critical facial nerves at risk if performed improperly, they are best executed by surgeons who work exclusively within the facial anatomy every day.
Facial Plastic Surgeons Address the Full Biology of Facial Aging, Not a Single Symptom
Facial aging is not caused solely by skin laxity. Studies show that facial fat pads descend, shrink, and redistribute with age, contributing to hollowing, jowling, and loss of contour (NIH – Facial Aging).
Facial plastic surgeons are uniquely trained to:
- Recognize changes in facial fat compartments
- Combine lifting with fat grafting when appropriate
- Balance rejuvenation across the lower, mid, and upper face
At the Buckingham Center, facelifts are often thoughtfully paired with procedures such as eyelid surgery, brow lifting, or fat transfer to achieve comprehensive, curated rejuvenation.
Specialization Changes the Outcome
Facial plastic surgeons dedicate their training and practice to understanding the aging process of the face, how its structures interact, and how surgical interventions may evolve over time. This extensive specialization influences every choice they make, from the placement of incisions and the use of structural lifting to nerve preservation and long-term balance. The outcome is an appearance that looks natural, functions normally, and ages gracefully.
For patients considering facial rejuvenation, it is important to know who will perform your facelift and how often they
