Artiste Lift™ is Dr. Richard Balikian’s proprietary approach to facial rejuvenation. It combines advanced surgical techniques with an individualized understanding of facial anatomy, proportion and aging.
Rather than treating every patient with the same operation, Dr. Balikian develops each Artiste Lift™ around the structures responsible for that patient’s changes. The approach may include a Preservation Deep Plane Facelift, Deep Vertical Neck Lift, or additional procedures selected to restore facial balance while preserving natural expression and identity.
Dr. Balikian takes you inside an Artiste Lift™ consultation and explains what he discusses with patients, including facial anatomy, treatment planning, expected results and recovery.
The objective is not to create a tighter or different-looking face. It is to reposition descended tissues, restore youthful contours and help patients look like themselves at their best.
“As a surgeon, I realized it’s not just about technique. It’s about artistry. Artiste Lift™ is designed to create results with nuance and finesse. The goal is not to look operated on, but to look like yourself. Refreshed, natural, and confident.”
– Dr. Balikian
Artiste Lift™ is not the name of one standardized operation. It is the methodology Dr. Balikian uses to evaluate facial aging, select the appropriate procedures and guide the surgical decisions made throughout treatment.
For many patients, the foundation of the Artiste Lift™ is a Preservation Deep Plane Facelift combined with a Deep Vertical Neck Lift. However, the exact plan depends on the patient’s anatomy and the changes that can be meaningfully improved.
An Artiste Lift™ may be designed to:
The procedures selected for one patient may be different from those recommended for another. Every plan begins with what has changed anatomically, not with a predetermined combination of treatments.
Some facelift techniques rely heavily on separating and tightening the skin. Artiste Lift™ places greater emphasis on repositioning the deeper structures responsible for facial descent while preserving natural tissue attachments whenever possible.
Dr. Balikian’s approach emphasizes:
Once the deeper tissues have been repositioned, the skin can follow more naturally without carrying the tension of the lift. This helps avoid the stretched, swept, or visibly operated appearance that many patients fear.
Dr. Balikian demonstrates the anatomy of a deep plane facelift, including the tissue layers that are repositioned to restore the cheeks, jawline and neck.
During a Preservation Deep Plane Facelift, Dr. Balikian works beneath the superficial tissues of the face to release and reposition the deeper facial layer.
This allows him to address the structural descent responsible for jowling, loss of cheek support, and diminished jawline definition. The goal is not to pull the skin tighter. It is to return the deeper tissues to a more youthful position and allow the skin to settle naturally over the restored structure.
Preserving selected connections between the skin and underlying tissues may also reduce unnecessary tissue disruption. Every dissection is adapted to the anatomy and surgical needs of the individual patient.
Facial aging does not stop at the jawline. A patient may also have loose platysma muscle, deeper fat, enlarged or descended submandibular glands, prominent digastric muscles, or other anatomical features affecting the shape of the neck.
A Deep Vertical Neck Lift allows Dr. Balikian to evaluate and address the structures contributing to an indistinct neckline or fullness beneath the chin.
Depending on the patient, the procedure may involve:
Not every patient requires treatment of every structure. The operation is developed around what is actually creating the patient’s neck contour.
Comprehensive Artiste Lift™ is an expanded application of the Artiste Lift™ approach for patients whose aging involves more than the lower face and neck.
In addition to a Preservation Deep Plane Facelift and Deep Vertical Neck Lift, the surgical plan may include:
These procedures are not automatically added to every Artiste Lift™. They are included only when Dr. Balikian believes they will address a specific anatomical change and contribute to a balanced result.
The purpose of a Comprehensive Artiste Lift™ is not to perform as many procedures as possible. It is to coordinate the areas that would benefit from treatment so the face is rejuvenated as a whole.
Before and After
These before and after photos reflect Dr. Balikian’s focus on restoring youthful facial and neck contours while preserving each patient’s natural features, expression and individuality.
Dr. Balikian performs the Artiste Lift™ through a targeted three-pocket approach. Instead of broadly separating the skin across the face, he limits dissection to the areas necessary to reposition the deeper tissues and manage excess skin.
Maintaining more of the natural connection between the skin and underlying structures may help preserve blood supply, reduce tissue trauma, and support a more efficient recovery.
This preservation-based approach is intended to provide:
Recovery still varies according to the extent of surgery, the procedures performed, and the way each patient heals.
Artiste Lift™ incisions are planned around the patient’s anatomy, hairline, ear shape, and surgical needs.
A small, curved incision beneath the chin provides access to the deeper structures of the neck. Its position is selected to remain discreet while allowing Dr. Balikian to create a more defined transition between the chin and neck.
Facelift incisions follow the natural contours around the ear and extend into or along the hairline when necessary. Their exact path is customized to allow excess skin to be managed without distorting the ear or producing an unnatural hairline.
Each incision is carefully closed to minimize tension and support the best possible long-term scar.
Artiste Lift™ patients share their personal journeys, from deciding on surgery and preparing for the procedure through recovery and their final results.
A natural facelift result is not simply the absence of visible scars. The face should remain balanced, expressive, and recognizably the patient’s own.
Dr. Balikian evaluates:
This assessment determines both what should be treated and what should be left alone.
Recovery depends on the extent of the operation and the procedures included in the treatment plan. However, the preservation-based Artiste Lift™ approach is designed to limit unnecessary tissue disruption and support a more comfortable, efficient healing process.
Patients can expect:
Looking presentable and being completely healed are not the same. Although patients may feel comfortable returning to many activities relatively early, subtle swelling, tightness, numbness, and incision maturation can continue for several months.
Dr. Balikian provides a recovery plan based on the procedures performed and each patient’s healing progress.
Dr. Balikian may recommend additional therapies to support healing after an Artiste Lift™.
These may include:
These treatments do not replace normal healing. They may be incorporated into the recovery plan based on the operation performed, the patient’s medical needs, and Dr. Balikian’s postoperative assessment.
Dr. Balikian explains how photobiomodulation therapy may be incorporated into facelift recovery to support healing and help reduce postoperative swelling and bruising.
The right time for facial rejuvenation is not determined by a particular age. Patients become candidates when the effects of aging have created anatomical changes that can be meaningfully improved and they are healthy and personally ready for surgery.
An Artiste Lift™ consultation allows Dr. Balikian to determine:
In some cases, Dr. Balikian may recommend a more limited procedure. In others, he may advise a patient to wait. The treatment plan is based on what will provide an appropriate, balanced result rather than on performing a predetermined operation.
Meet with Dr. Balikian to discuss the changes you have noticed and learn whether the Artiste Lift™ approach is appropriate for your anatomy and goals.
During your consultation, you can review relevant before-and-after results, discuss the procedures Dr. Balikian recommends, and receive an individualized plan for treatment and recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Artiste Lift™ candidacy, procedure planning, recovery and results.
How long does the Artiste Lift™ procedure take?
The Artiste Lift™ typically takes 3–4 hours, depending on the complexity of your case and whether you’re combining it with additional procedures such as a brow lift or eyelid rejuvenation.
What other procedures can be performed with the Artiste Lift™?
The Artiste Lift™ can be combined with several complementary procedures to achieve comprehensive facial rejuvenation and balance. These additional treatments are often performed during the same surgery to enhance overall results while minimizing downtime:
Commonly Combined Procedures with the Artiste Lift™:
Will people be able to tell I had surgery?
No, this is one of the defining strengths of the Artiste Lift™. Because Dr. Balikian focuses on restoring natural facial structure without pulling the skin, the results are subtle, refined, and never look “done.” Most people will simply notice you look refreshed.
What’s the typical recovery time?
Thanks to the preservation-based technique, most patients feel presentable and confident in 10–14 days. Swelling and bruising are minimized, and the procedure requires no drains, no narcotics, and no bulky dressings.
What age is best for an Artiste Lift™?
Ideal candidates are typically in their 40s to 70s and experiencing facial aging, such as jowling, sagging skin, or deep folds. However, candidacy is based more on anatomy and goals than age alone.
How long do the results last?
The Artiste Lift™ provides long-lasting results that age gracefully over time. Many patients enjoy their refreshed look for 10 years or longer, especially when paired with healthy lifestyle habits and good skincare.
Is the procedure painful?
Discomfort is minimal. Most patients manage post-op recovery without the need for narcotics. Dr. Balikian’s precise, minimally disruptive technique reduces trauma and allows for a smoother healing process.
What makes Dr. Balikian’s technique different from other facelifts?
Unlike traditional facelifts that stretch or separate large areas of skin, the Artiste Lift™ uses a three-pocket preservation approach that avoids tension, preserves natural blood supply, and focuses on deep structural lifting. This results in less bruising, faster recovery, and more natural outcomes.
How do I know if I’m a good candidate?
If you’re bothered by sagging cheeks, jowls, or a softened jawline, and you want to look like yourself, just more refreshed, you may be a great candidate.
A consultation with Dr. Balikian will allow him to assess your anatomy and customize a plan that aligns with your goals.
What areas improve most with the Artiste Lift™?
Jawline definition, jowls, marionette lines, and upper neck laxity. It can indirectly soften the nasolabial region by repositioning deeper tissues.
Will I still look like me?
Yes. Dr. Balikian lifts along natural vectors to avoid overcorrection.
What about neck bands or fullness under the chin?
Neck bands and submental fullness can be addressed at the same time when indicated.
When can I wear makeup or attend events?
Often at one week for light makeup. Many feel camera ready around 2 to 3 weeks.
How much does the Artiste Lift™ cost?
Pricing depends on your plan and any combined procedures. You will receive a personalized quote at consultation. Financing options are available.
Dr. Richard Balikian is a renowned facial plastic surgeon known for his dedication to patients throughout Southern California.
With more than two decades of experience and double board certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, he brings together surgical precision and an artist’s eye.
Dr. Balikian is among a select group of specialists whose advanced training is devoted entirely to procedures of the face and neck.
Patient Experiences
Patients choose Dr. Richard Balikian for precision facial procedures, personalized care and results that look naturally you.
Continue Learning
Read expert articles and insights about the Artiste Lift™ approach, facial anatomy, surgical planning, recovery and natural-looking results.
