A Facelift That Looks Natural, Not Pulled
This advanced deep plane facelift lifts the deeper structures of the face and neck, restoring natural definition without a tight or artificial look.
What This Facelift Actually Does
The Artiste Lift™ is Dr. Richard V. Balikian’s signature approach to facial rejuvenation. It combines a preservation deep plane facelift with a deep vertical neck lift, treating the face and neck as one connected unit so the midface, jawline and neck lift together in harmony.
This integrated planning helps avoid the pulled look of older techniques and creates results that feel authentic and balanced
Addressing the Three Forces of Facial Aging
Facial aging happens in several ways and the Artiste Lift™ is designed to address each one with a plan tailored to your unique anatomy.
- Gravity – Deep support layers that have descended with time are gently released and repositioned rather than simply pulling on the skin.
- Volume loss – Fat transfer can be used to restore youthful fullness to the cheeks, temples, or under-eye area when needed.
- Skin texture changes – Lasers or light-based therapies refine the surface so the skin matches the lifted contours beneath.
Every Artiste Lift™ plan is customized to your anatomy and goals, blending structural lift, volume restoration and skin refinement for the most natural result
“Our goal is artistry, not pulling. We gently release and reposition what has descended, restore youthful shape to the cheeks and jawline, and allow the skin to heal without visible tension.”
— Dr. Balikian
Working in the deep plane allows the release of the Velcro-like retaining ligaments that tether the cheek and jowl. Once freed, cheek pads can be repositioned, jowls soften, and the jawline sharpens. Because the lift occurs where aging begins, there is minimal tension on the skin and incisions heal in thin, refined lines
Meet Your Surgeon
Dr. Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS, is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon fellowship-trained in advanced facelift and preservation techniques.
He is nationally recognized for teaching deep plane and neck lift innovations and trusted for performing thousands of facial procedures with lasting, natural results.
- Double Board-Certified: Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and Head & Neck Surgery
- Fellowship-Trained: Advanced facelift and preservation techniques
- Recognized Speaker & Educator: Shares deep plane and neck lift innovations at national meetings
- Thousands of Facial Procedures Performed: With a focus on longevity and natural harmony
His training, surgical precision, and artistic approach ensure your facelift is guided by modern anatomy, proven safety standards and a commitment to results that look natural and age beautifully.
Real Facelift Results That Look Natural, Not Pulled
Dr. Balikian has transformed thousands of faces with precision and artistry to elevate the cheeks, sculpt the jawline, tighten the neck, and rejuvenate the eyes with results that look refined and naturally balanced.
How The Artiste Lift™ Works
The Artiste Lift™ follows precise surgical steps that lift and support the deeper facial structures while protecting blood supply and soft tissues for a natural, lasting result.
Deep Plane Lift With Vertical Neck Support
The procedure begins with a Deep Plane Facelift combined with a deep vertical neck lift.
For patients who want a deeper understanding of how the Artiste Lift™ works, Dr. Balikian explains the anatomy and surgical approach below.
Dr. Balikian repairs the platysma “hammock” that has sagged with age, trims excess bulk to lighten it, and repositions the muscle for long-term support and a sharp, youthful neck angle.
Three-Pocket Preservation
Rather than peeling the skin widely, only three small pockets are lifted. One around each ear and one under the chin. These pockets are not connected. Most of the skin stays attached to its blood supply and natural fat pads.
This approach reduces trauma, minimizes bruising and swelling, eliminates drains and speeds recovery.
“My goal is always to restore what time has changed, not to pull or stretch. By preserving blood supply and supporting the deeper layers, the face looks refreshed and natural rather than operated on.”
— Dr. Balikian
Fibrin Glue For Smooth Healing
Skin is reattached with fibrin glue instead of buried support stitches.
Broad, even adhesion lowers inflammation, promotes faster healing, and helps incisions mature into thin, refined lines.
Discreet, Low-Tension Incisions
A small curved incision under the chin avoids a “double bubble” scar.
Around the ear, incisions follow natural curves and creases with low surface tension to prevent pulled ears or cartilage distortion.
Discover the Possibilities
Tailored Refinements For Harmony
While the Artiste Lift™ restores the foundation of the face and neck, many patients benefit from carefully selected refinements that bring the entire look into balance.
Temple Lift And Four-Point Brow Lift
Skin can bunch at the temple after midface lift. Dr. Balikian smooths this with a minimal access temple lift behind the hairline.
When brow descent is present, he uses a four-point approach to restore brightness and shape without over-elevation. No shaving. No visible hairline scar. The aim is harmony, not a surprised look.
Eyelid Rejuvenation
Upper eyelids are refined through careful skin removal while preserving muscle for long-term function and softness.
Lower eyelid bags are addressed internally through scarless access when possible. Fat is conservatively reduced or redraped.
Crepey skin is treated with laser or a hidden skin-pinch when needed. The goal is smooth transitions and natural expression.
“Every face tells its own story. Small, well-planned refinements — whether to the brows, eyelids, lips, or nose — help the lift blend seamlessly with your natural features.”
— Dr. Balikian
Lip Lift In The Deep Plane
When upper lip length hides dental show, a deep-plane subnasal lip lift adds balance.
Incision placement and deep release allow the lip to roll up naturally with subtle definition of the cupid’s bow and improved symmetry.
Rhinoplasty For Balance And Function
The nose can age through cartilage separation and tip descent. Dr. Balikian refines shape while preserving identity.
He addresses breathing issues where present so aesthetics and function move together.
Recovery And Comfort
Less undermining and broad support reduce swelling and bruising. Most patients transition to social downtime over the first couple of weeks and continue to refine over two to three months.
Thoughtful incision planning supports fine-line healing.
Advanced light-based therapies can be used to calm inflammation and help the skin recover smoothly.
Typical Milestones
- Week 1. Swelling and tightness improve. Stitches are removed as directed.
- Weeks 2 To 3. You look presentable with light cover-up. Most social activities resume.
- Months 2 To 3. Contours refine. The neck and jawline sharpen further as swelling resolves.
Your plan and timeline are individualized. You receive precise aftercare guidance and clear expectations.
Risks And How We Reduce Them
All surgery carries risk. Dr. Balikian reduces risk through preservation of blood supply, careful nerve-aware dissection, conservative fat handling, and low-tension closure.
Your consultation reviews candidacy, medical history and a plan shaped to your anatomy.
Results And Longevity
The Artiste Lift™ restores lift where it matters. Cheek pads reposition. Jowls soften. The jawline and neck sharpen.
Because ligaments are released and deeper structures are moved, results look natural in motion and tend to last.
Comparison Snapshot
| Feature | Preservation Deep Plane Facelift | SMAS Or Short-Scar Approaches |
|---|---|---|
| Where It Lifts | Deep support layers with ligament release | Primarily skin and SMAS tightening |
| Neck Strategy | Vertical vector with platysma repair and sculpting | Variable, often limited under-chin plication |
| Skin Handling | Three-pocket preservation, less undermining | Wider undermining more common |
| Recovery Feel | Less bruising and swelling, no drains in most cases | Can involve more swelling or drains |
| Look And Longevity | Natural movement with durable contour | Results vary by technique and tension |
Why Patients Choose The Artiste Lift™
Choosing a facelift is about more than lifting skin. It requires restoring the deeper support that keeps the face youthful and natural.
Patients seeking lasting, believable results choose the Artiste Lift™ because it rebuilds structure while protecting the face’s soft, healthy foundation.
- Preservation of natural structure and blood supply
- True ligament release for midface mobility and jawline clarity
- Vertical neck lift with platysma repair for a crisp angle
- Refined incision strategy and low-tension closure
- Temple, brow, eyelid, lip, and nose options for total harmony
- A personalized, artistry-driven plan from a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon
Every detail of the Artiste Lift™ is planned to protect your unique features, create graceful movement, and deliver a refreshed look that still feels authentically you.
Artiste Lift™ FAQs
What is the Artiste Lift™?
A customized preservation deep plane facelift paired with a deep vertical neck lift. It repositions deep facial tissues and the platysma for natural expression, low skin tension and a crisper jawline.
What is a deep plane facelift?
A deep plane facelift lifts the deeper structures of the face, not just the skin, to restore youthful contours in the cheeks, jawline, and neck. By releasing key ligaments beneath the surface, it creates natural-looking results that move and age gracefully.
What is a preservation deep plane facelift?
Dr. Balikian’s preservation deep plane facelift builds on the traditional approach by maintaining your unique facial identity while enhancing youthful structure. It carefully lifts and repositions deep tissues while preserving natural ligaments, allowing for elegant, undetectable rejuvenation.
How is a preservation deep plane facelift different from a traditional SMAS lift?
Deep plane releases key retaining ligaments and elevates the deep tissue layer as a unit, which helps avoid a “pulled” look and improves midface and nasolabial fold support. Systematic reviews show both SMAS and deep plane can succeed, with deep plane reporting very high satisfaction in aggregated data.
What makes Dr. Balikian’s technique different from other facelifts?
The Artiste Lift™ combines preservation techniques with deep plane methods, allowing for more natural movement and better long-term results. Dr. Balikian’s expertise in facial anatomy and his artistic approach ensure that each procedure is tailored to your unique facial structure.
What does the “preservation” part mean?
It means limited skin undermining and respect for natural retaining ligaments to conserve identity while restoring youthful contours. Recent reviews describe preservation techniques as reducing dissection and complications while enhancing jawline definition.
Am I a good candidate?
Healthy non-smokers with neck laxity, jowling, or midface descent who want natural movement rather than skin tension are ideal. A consultation tailors the plan to bone structure, skin quality, and goals.
What is a deep vertical neck lift and why pair it with a facelift?
A vertical approach tightens and repositions the platysma to refine the cervicomental angle and treat bands. Modern series and meta-analyses report low band recurrence and low nerve injury when the platysma is addressed directly.
What age is best for an Artiste Lift™?
There’s no “perfect” age for this procedure. The best candidates are those who are beginning to notice significant facial sagging but still have good skin elasticity. Most patients are between 45-65, but we evaluate each case individually.
What results can I expect and how long do they last?
Expect a fresher, more defined jawline and midface with preserved character. Longevity varies by genetics and lifestyle; literature suggests durable improvements with deep plane techniques.
Is the procedure painful?
Thanks to our narcotic-free approach and advanced techniques, most patients report minimal discomfort. Many are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the recovery process is.
How do you decide on brow, eyelid, or lip lift?
Photos, anatomy, and proportion guide the plan. Temple or four-point brow lift restores brightness. Eyelids are refined with conservative tissue handling. Lip lift is used when upper lip length disrupts harmony.
What is recovery like?
Most swelling and bruising peak in the first week, then steadily improve. Makeup often covers residual bruising after 10–14 days. Return to non-strenuous work typically 1–2 weeks depending on extent.
Will there be visible scars?
Incisions follow natural ear curves and are designed to be discreet in hairline and crease transitions. With good healing, they are typically difficult to notice once pinkness fades.
How do adjuncts like fat transfer and CO₂ laser fit in?
Fat transfer restores soft-tissue volume the lift does not replace, and fractional CO₂ improves skin texture and fine lines. These complement lifting for a more complete rejuvenation plan.
What are the risks?
As with any surgery: bleeding, infection, delayed healing, contour irregularity, temporary numbness, and rare nerve weakness. Reported nerve injury after modern neck platysma work is under 1 percent in pooled analyses.
Is there evidence deep plane helps the midface and folds?
Large series report measurable improvement in nasolabial folds with deep plane and modified deep plane approaches.
Do you treat submandibular fullness or glands if needed?
Yes. Vertical neck techniques and targeted maneuvers can address submental contour and platysma bands. Management is individualized to balance contour benefits with safety.
Why Trust Dr. Balikian with Your Face?
Dr. Richard Balikian is a highly respected facial plastic surgeon serving the San Diego area.
With over 20 years of experience and double board certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Balikian offers a unique combination of technical expertise and artistic vision.
He is part of an elite group of surgeons with extensive training focused exclusively on the face and neck.
Your Journey Starts Here
Elevated Care. Exceptional Results.
Dr. Richard Balikian is recognized for elevating facial plastic surgery through precision, artistry and outcomes that reflect your true self.
Discover the Art of Facial Plastic Surgery
Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery: Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS