Deep Plane Facelift Redefined for the Most Natural Look
Discover how a deep plane facelift restores cheek height, refines the jawline, and preserves natural expression for results that look like you.
A youthful face is not created by pulling the skin tighter. It is restored by lifting the deeper support that once held the cheeks high, kept the jawline clean, and shaped a graceful neck. That is the promise of a deep plane facelift. It works where aging begins so expressions stay relaxed and results look like you on your best day.
At Balikian Plastic Surgery, Dr. Richard V. Balikian refines these principles with a preservation approach that protects healthy tissue and focuses on harmony. The goal is soft movement, balanced contours, and a finish that feels authentic in photos, in motion and up close.
A deep plane facelift addresses the true source of facial aging by working in the layer beneath the SMAS, where the cheek fat pads and retaining ligaments live.

Instead of tightening skin, it releases specific points of tether and repositions the descended tissues as a single unit. This restores youthful cheek height, softens the nasolabial area, defines the jawline and improves the transition into the neck.
A deep plane facelift follows a precise sequence that restores support from within while protecting healthy tissue.
Together, these steps lift what has descended and let the skin lie softly, so results look natural at rest and in motion.
Patients choose this technique for results that look like them, move naturally, and last.
In short, it refreshes the face from its foundation, creating balanced contours without a pulled look.
Preservation facelift principles protect healthy anatomy while delivering meaningful change. Rather than wide undermining, the focus is on targeted release and limited dissection to maintain blood supply, reduce swelling, and support smooth recovery.
Core preservation ideas
The preservation mindset complements deep plane lifting by prioritizing tissue health and subtlety. The result is refined change that looks like you, only refreshed.
The Artiste Lift™ is Dr. Balikian’s preservation deep plane facelift combined with a deep vertical neck lift.

It blends structural repositioning in the face with precise work in the neck to sharpen the angle under the chin and create a harmonious jawline.
The Artiste Lift™ blends deep plane precision with preservation techniques to create balanced, natural rejuvenation from cheek to neck.
Together, these details deliver a refined result that looks authentic at rest and in motion and ages gracefully over time.
The Artiste Lift™ is for people who want friends to recognize them, only refreshed.

It is not about pulling skin tighter. It is about restoring your natural harmony.
In consultation, Dr. Balikian studies your features and even old photos, then designs a preservation deep plane and neck plan that brings your own balance back.
Recovery follows the preservation mindset. Tissue is protected, blood supply is maintained, and modern aftercare supports comfort and a smooth return to normal life.
Because deeper support is repositioned and the skin is allowed to heal with minimal tension, results look natural in motion and age gracefully, often with fewer touch ups in the future.
Recent PubMed research shows that deep plane facelift techniques lift the face by releasing and repositioning deeper support layers with minimal skin tension, which helps preserve natural movement and improve midface and jawline contour.
Overall, the evidence supports a preservation deep plane approach with planned neck refinement as a safe, anatomically sound method that delivers balanced, long-lasting results.
What is the Artiste Lift™?
The Artiste Lift™ is a preservation deep plane facelift and neck lift that restores deeper facial support, then redrapes skin with minimal tension so expressions stay natural.
How is the Artiste Lift™ different from a skin-only or mini lift?
Skin-only and many mini lifts tighten surface tissue. The Artiste Lift™ repositions deeper structures first so the skin can lie softly, often looking more natural and lasting longer.
How does the Artiste Lift™ compare with SMAS plication or imbrication?
SMAS methods reinforce the superficial layer. The Artiste Lift™ works beneath the SMAS to release tethering and lift the cheek and lower face as a unit, addressing midface descent and jawline heaviness.
How does the Artiste Lift™ compare with high-SMAS or extended SMAS?
High-SMAS lifts move more support than skin-only lifts but focus on the SMAS plane. The Artiste Lift™ adds targeted deep plane release and preservation principles to protect blood supply and reduce skin tension.
How does the Artiste Lift™ compare with ponytail or short-scar lifts?
Ponytail and short-scar lifts can help early laxity. The Artiste Lift™ is designed for broader face and neck rejuvenation when cheeks have dropped, jowls show, or the neck is heavier.
How does the Artiste Lift™ differ from thread lifts?
Thread lifts give a quick, subtle lift that is temporary. The Artiste Lift™ repositions deeper support for a more comprehensive and durable change.
Who is a good candidate for the Artiste Lift™?
People who want to look like themselves, only refreshed, with signs such as flattened cheeks, early to moderate jowling, or a heavier or banded neck. It also suits those whose fillers or threads no longer give the desired look or duration.
What results can I expect with the Artiste Lift™?
Cheeks sit higher with gentle fullness, the jawline looks cleaner, and the neck is more defined. The goal is an effortless, natural look in person and in motion.
Will I look natural with the Artiste Lift™ compared with other lifts?
Yes. Because the lift comes from deeper support rather than skin tension, expressions tend to remain relaxed and balanced.
How long do Artiste Lift™ results last compared with other techniques?
Longevity varies by anatomy and lifestyle. Deep plane and preservation approaches, including the Artiste Lift™, are designed for durable change since structure is repositioned rather than skin tightened alone.
What is recovery like with the Artiste Lift™ compared with other lifts?
Most patients feel presentable in one to two weeks, depending on neck work and individual healing. Preservation methods aim to protect blood supply and reduce tension, which can support a smoother recovery.
What do scars look like after the Artiste Lift™?
Incisions are placed in natural creases around the ear and hairline. Because skin is closed with minimal tension, scars are planned to rest quietly over time.
Is the Artiste Lift™ suitable for different skin types and ages?
Yes, with individualized planning. Technique and aftercare are tailored to skin quality, age, and anatomy to support even healing and natural movement.
Can men have the Artiste Lift™?
Yes. Planning accounts for beard patterns, hairlines, and a typically heavier neck to maintain a clean, masculine jawline.

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