The Artiste Lift: Your Path to Natural Facial Rejuvenation
Dr. Richard Balikian is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon offering the Comprehensive Artiste Facelift in San Diego and Temecula Valley. The Comprehensive Artiste Lift is Dr. Balikian’s signature approach to facial rejuvenation, combining his extensive expertise with the most advanced surgical techniques available today. As one of Southern California’s most trusted facial plastic surgeons, Dr. Balikian has performed thousands of facelifts, helping patients achieve a balanced, artistic, and natural result.
Dr. Balikian looks at each patient as an individual and come up with an artistic approach to get a beautiful, natural result that looks like you, that you’re proud to see in the mirror. We wanted to call it the Artiste Lift because I realized it’s not just about engineering. It’s not about doing things just the way the surgery is supposed to be done by recipe. Artistry is an amazing, important part of what I do, and I combine engineering and artistry to create these beautiful results that have nuance, finesse, and brightness.
What is an Artiste Lift?
The Artiste Lift we developed is a deep plane facelift and the deep vertical neck lift—to sharpen the neckline, enhance the jawline, soften folds, and lift the cheek pads back into their proper position with minimal disruption to the skin.
What is a Comprehensive Artiste Lift?
The Comprehensive Artiste Lift is a preservation deep plane facelift done the proper way. It includes the deep vertical neck lift with recontouring, and a brow recontouring and eyelid rejuvenation as needed to look like yourself. And that is the most important part of our facial rejuvenation.
Here’s what makes it different:
We are really proud of our version of a preservation facelift. A traditional facelift has to lift the skin from in front of the ears all the way to the front of the cheeks and from behind the ears all the way into the neck. That skin is attached to that muscle very strongly. So every time a surgeon takes that skin off the muscle, they’re causing trauma, excess bruising, excess swelling, a longer recovery, and the need for drains. But we’ve eliminated that from our recovery. You don’t need drains anymore. We can really eliminate and decrease the recovery time.
We do a three-pocket preservation facelift. What does that mean? That means we only have to lift the skin a little bit around each ear. We only have to lift the skin a little bit under the chin. We never connect all those together. So we’re leaving all this skin through the cheeks and the neck intact to the muscle. That means less trauma, less bruising, less swelling, no need for drains, quicker recovery, and incision lines that look spectacular.
When we lift from the right spot, without anything holding it down, we can reposition the fat pad, restore the jowl, and achieve a soft, supple, and natural-looking result. Because the jowl moves with the deep plane lift, there’s no need to pull on the skin. The stitch lines heal paper-thin, and no one will ever see your incisions. The success of the surgery comes not just from good stitching but from the entire procedure being done correctly.
Where are my incisions with an Artiste Facelift?
We start with a small incision under the chin. Unlike most surgeons who make a straight incision—which can lead to a noticeable “double bubble” or distinct scar—we take extra care. We create a small, curved incision that heals exceptionally well.
Through this incision, we access the muscle layers that have sagged. But instead of just tying them together like in a traditional facelift, we go deeper to find all the structures that have descended over time. This is where the sculptor in Dr. Balikian comes out. He trims those down appropriately to take some of the load off, to make a smoother surface. Once we do that, then we can tie the hammock of muscle back together, and then we do this very cool move. We release the hammock from everything that’s pulling it down. So instead of pulling up and back, we can really get a vertical deep neck lift. That’s how we get necklines that are super sharp, elongated, elegant, and beautiful. That’s why our patients come in and say, “I love my neck.”
Now, incisions around the ears start along the hairline, completely hidden. They heal very well. It’s not going to change your hairline. It’ll follow the natural curve of your ear here and go on the inside edge of the ear cartilage there, along the earlobe to the back of the ear, completely hidden in that crease. We don’t make an incision behind your hairline where you can see it. We go all the way up to the top of the back of your ear, where no one will see it, where your earlobe overlaps with your hairline, and slightly down the hairline. They heal exceptionally well. We don’t get pulled ears, and we don’t get ear cartilages that pull forward because we have no tension on our facelift.
Recovery and Aftercare
We get it – you’re busy and want to get back to your life as quickly as possible. Recovering from a Comprehensive Artiste Lift is a journey that requires special attention and regular check-ups with Dr. Balikian to ensure the best possible results. That’s why Dr. Balikian has revolutionized the recovery process. Here’s what makes our approach different:
- No Narcotics Needed: Less medication means faster recovery and fewer side effects.
- Skip the Drains: Unlike traditional facelifts, you won’t need any drains or tight compression garments.
- Less Swelling, Less Waiting: Our techniques mean less bruising and swelling, so you can feel confident sooner.
- Extra Recovery Boost: We offer special treatments like Elixir MD therapy, lymphatic massage, and hyperbaric chamber sessions to speed up your healing.
- Comfort is Key: We’ve designed everything around your comfort, including ways to help you get better sleep during recovery.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
We’re here to help you make an informed decision about your facial rejuvenation journey. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Balikian in his San Diego and Temecula Valley lovation to learn more about the Artiste Lift and discover if it’s right for you. Together, we’ll create a customized plan to help you achieve the natural, refreshed look you deserve.
Why Trust Dr. Balikian with Your Face?
When it comes to your face, experience matters. Double board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Balikian has dedicated his career to facial plastic surgery, performing countless successful facelifts and continually refining his techniques. With his background as a head and neck surgeon, he prioritizes both function and aesthetics. He’s not just a surgeon – he’s an artist who understands that each face is unique and requires a customized approach. While it’s great to research and gather information, an artistic eye is essential in diagnosing and planning the right approach for each patient. That’s why Dr. Balikian loves spending time with his patients—listening to their goals, reviewing old photos, and designing a bespoke surgical plan that results in a balanced, natural, and beautiful outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Artiste Lift
Your Next Steps
Ready to learn more? We’d love to meet you! Contact our office to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Balikian. During your visit, you’ll get to:
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– Discuss your goals one-on-one with Dr. Balikian
– See before and after photos of actual patients
– Get answers to all your questions
– Learn about financing options
– Create your customized treatment plan
Don’t wait to look as young as you feel. Call us today to get started on your journey to a more refreshed, confident you.
