Overview of Facial Plastic Surgery Procedures
Restore harmony, structure, and confidence with expert facial plastic surgery by Dr. Richard Balikian.
These techniques focus on enhancing facial contours and reversing visible signs of aging by smoothing wrinkles, tightening skin, and restoring youthful structure.
Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery
When it comes to your face, it’s imperative to put your trust in a highly trained and experienced facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Richard V. Balikian. Holding board certifications in both facial plastic and reconstructive surgery as well as head and neck surgery (not to mention a degree in art history), Dr. Balikian’s unique aesthetic eye helped him become a pioneer of the deep plane facelift technique.
During your consultation, he will review your medical history and aesthetic objectives and study your current symptoms to map out the best treatment plan for your needs.
This facial plastic surgery strategy could include one or more of the following procedures:
Facelift
The main goal during a facelift is to significantly reduce or eliminate wrinkles, lines, and sagging skin on the mid to lower face, often in the form of nasolabial folds or jowls. For consistently above the neckline, the facelift is frequently performed along with a neck lift to address neck bands or a “turkey waddle.”
Depending on the degree of skin laxity and other patient-specific considerations, Dr. Balikian offers multiple variations of the facelift like the:
- Mini facelift
- Extended deep plane facelift
- Deep plane facelift for men
Each technique is thoughtfully selected to match the patient’s anatomy, goals, and stage of aging, ensuring results that are not only rejuvenating, but also natural and uniquely tailored to you. With Dr. Balikian’s expertise, the facelift becomes more than a procedure, it becomes a restoration of confidence and facial harmony.
Brow Lift (Forehead Lift)
A brow lift is a surgical procedure that addresses sagging eyebrows, forehead wrinkles, and frown lines that can make the face appear tired, angry, or aged. Over time, repeated facial expressions, gravity, and sun exposure can lead to drooping brows and creases across the forehead.
A brow lift works by gently elevating the brows and repositioning the underlying muscles and tissues, smoothing deep horizontal lines and softening vertical “11” lines between the brows. The result is a more open, alert, and refreshed appearance that enhances the overall harmony of the upper face while preserving your natural expressions.
Eyelid Lift
An eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, is a delicate surgical procedure that rejuvenates the eyes by addressing the excess skin, puffiness, and heaviness that can develop in the upper and lower eyelids over time. Because the eye area is one of the first places to show signs of aging, many patients seek this treatment to restore a more alert, rested, and youthful appearance.
Upper eyelid blepharoplasty involves the removal of excess, sagging skin that can cause hooding and even obstruct peripheral vision. By refining the contour of the upper eyelid, this procedure opens the eyes and restores a brighter, more refreshed look. In cases where vision is compromised, upper eyelid surgery can also provide functional improvement.
Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is performed to reduce puffiness or “bags” under the eyes—often caused by fat protrusion or volume loss. Dr. Balikian uses a scarless, transconjunctival approach whenever possible, which means the incision is made inside the eyelid, leaving no visible scar on the skin. This technique allows for a smooth, natural-looking under-eye contour without changing the shape of the eye.
Whether performed alone or in combination with other facial rejuvenation procedures, eyelid surgery is highly customizable. With Dr. Balikian’s surgical precision and artistic eye, patients enjoy subtle yet transformative results that restore clarity and confidence to their gaze.
Rhinoplasty
Commonly known as a nose job, rhinoplasty surgery is done to make cosmetic and functional improvements. Aesthetically, patients may desire less of a bump or a more symmetrical look. Additionally, a deviated septum can be treated to improve breathing.
If patients are unsatisfied with their results from another provider, Dr. Balikian offers the revision rhinoplasty, or secondary rhinoplasty.
Otoplasty
Cosmetic ear surgery, or otoplasty, can help patients regain their self-esteem by altering the shape, size, and position of the ears.
Often, patients want their ears to be “pinned back” or made smaller relative to their overall head size.
Lip Lift
A lip lift is a subtle yet powerful procedure designed to restore youthful balance and proportion to the mouth and lower face. As we age, the upper lip can elongate and lose volume, creating a thinner appearance and reducing the visibility of the upper teeth when smiling. Rather than simply adding volume with fillers, a lip lift shortens the distance between the nose and upper lip, gently rotating the lip upward to enhance definition, shape, and natural fullness.
Dr. Balikian uses advanced techniques to individualize each lip lift, creating results that are elegant, natural, and never overdone. The most common approach is the subnasal “bullhorn” lip lift, where a discreet incision is placed under the base of the nose to subtly elevate the lip. For patients with downturned corners of the mouth, a corner lip lift can be performed to create a more uplifted, pleasant expression. These techniques can be performed alone or in combination with other facial rejuvenation procedures to achieve harmony and youthful refinement.
With Dr. Balikian’s artistic eye and surgical precision, the lip lift is not just about reshaping the lips—it’s about restoring balance, beauty, and confidence to the entire lower face.
Facial Fat Transfer
If you’d like a subtle increase in volume to some regions of the face (such as the cheeks, lips, or under the eyes), the fat transfer technique could be right for you.
Also known as fat grafting, this strategy involves removing fat tissue from elsewhere on the body, purifying it, and then injecting it into these areas of the face where desired.
Liposuction
Alternatively, if too much fat on the face is the problem, it could be removed with liposuction.
Dr. Balikian is always careful to perform this task in a minimalistic, subtle fashion that enhances the face’s overall proportions.
Learn More from Dr. Balikian
For more information about which facial plastic surgery procedures are right for you, Dr. Balikian is here to help.
Contact Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery in San Diego today to schedule your consultation!
Learn More About Facial Plastic Surgery
Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Balikian is an experienced, double board-certified, facial plastic surgeon. He is double board-certified both in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Balikian belongs to a very select group of elite cosmetic surgeons with at least six years of specialized surgical training exclusively in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and neck.
Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery: Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
