Rediscover youthful confidence with Dr. Peter Lee, board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Wave Plastic Surgery—Orange County’s trusted destination for advanced facial rejuvenation.
Quick Takeaways
- Dr. Peter Lee, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Wave Plastic Surgery, offering advanced facelift options in Orange County, CA.
- A facelift restores jawline, cheek, and neck definition by tightening underlying facial muscles (SMAS) and gently redraping skin for a natural look.
- Wave offers a full range of techniques, including the Wave Lift, Deep-Plane Facelift, and Mini Facelift.
- Recovery averages 10–14 days, with final results lasting 8–12 years, depending on lifestyle and maintenance.
- Schedule your consultation at Wave’s Orange County Plastic Surgery Center to explore personalized facelift solutions.
Meet Dr. Peter Lee - Orange County’s Facelift Expert
Dr. Peter Lee, MD, FACS, is a board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. As the Founder and Chief Surgeon of Wave Plastic Surgery, he has transformed thousands of faces across Southern California and abroad. His signature approach blends technical mastery with a deep respect for each patient’s natural anatomy.
Internationally recognized for developing procedures like the Wave Lift and CureLift-S, Dr. Lee is frequently sought out by patients from Newport Beach, Irvine, Costa Mesa, and Huntington Beach seeking world-class results close to home.
“My goal isn’t to change faces—it’s to restore confidence. Every face tells a story; I simply help it reflect how vibrant you still feel inside.”
— Dr. Peter Lee, MD, FACS
Why Orange County Patients Choose Facelift Surgery
Southern California’s sunny climate and active lifestyle often reveal signs of aging sooner. Even with diligent skincare and injectables, deeper layers eventually lose structure, leading to sagging around the jawline, neck, and cheeks. A facelift becomes the next natural step—rebuilding support from the inside out.
Patients typically come to Wave Plastic Surgery when they notice:
- Persistent jowling or soft jawline contour
- Deep facial folds and drooping midface volume
- Loose neck skin or vertical bands
- Tired or heavy facial appearance despite feeling youthful
In Orange County, many patients value a polished yet natural look. The kind that fits a professional, social, and outdoor lifestyle without obvious signs of surgery. That’s the aesthetic standard Dr. Lee is known for.
The Science Behind the Lift
Aging affects more than skin. The underlying SMAS (superficial musculo-aponeurotic system) and platysma layers stretch and descend, pulling skin with them. Unlike surface procedures, a facelift tightens these deeper planes, then redrapes skin gently—eliminating tension lines and preserving expression.
Dr. Lee uses 3-D imaging and precise mapping to evaluate facial vectors, symmetry, and bone support before surgery. This data-driven approach allows him to customize each lift to the patient’s bone structure, fat distribution, and ethnicity for truly individualized outcomes.
Facelift Types Comparison Guide
Every patient ages differently, and the right facelift depends on tissue laxity, facial anatomy, and downtime tolerance. Here’s how each technique differs:
| Facelift Type | Best For | Technique Overview | Downtime | Learn More |
| Wave Lift | Moderate to advanced aging | Hybrid deep-plane + SMAS repositioning; restores full facial architecture | 10–14 days | View Details → |
| Deep-Plane Facelift | Heavy tissues, deep folds | Repositions skin, fat, and muscle as a single unit for softness | 14–18 days | Learn More → |
| CureLift | Early to moderate laxity | Vertical vector lift for midface and jawline; smaller incisions | 7–10 days | Explore → |
| CureLift-S | Mild laxity; men or younger clients | Endoscopic approach, minimal scarring | 5–7 days | Overview → |
| Mini Facelift | 40s–50s, early jowls | Short-incision SMAS tightening | 5–7 days | Mini Lift → |
| SMAS Face & Neck Lift | Combined face + neck sagging | Simultaneous tightening of both regions | 2–3 weeks | SMAS Info → |
| Endoscopic Facelift | Younger patients with midface aging | Hidden incisions, camera-guided elevation | 7–10 days | Endoscopic → |
| Neck Lift | Platysmal bands / submental fat | Defines neckline and removes excess tissue | 10–14 days | Neck Lift → |
Which Facelift Is Right for You?
- Wave Lift: Offers the power of a deep-plane lift with refined SMAS adjustment—ideal for advanced laxity while preserving natural motion.
- Deep-Plane Facelift: The “gold standard” for comprehensive rejuvenation, restoring volume and youth in one motion.
- CureLift & CureLift-S: Perfect for those wanting visible improvement without major downtime—often chosen by younger professionals.
- Mini Facelift: A subtle refresh that tightens early jowls before they become more pronounced.
- SMAS / Neck Lift: Addresses both lower-face and neck concerns for a complete 360° rejuvenation.
- Endoscopic Facelift: The least invasive surgical option; great for early droop or brow heaviness.
Dr. Lee frequently combines methods (e.g., Wave Lift + Neck Lift) for patients seeking total harmony from temple to collarbone.
Get Your Consultation Today
Give us a call today to schedule your consultation with one of our plastic surgeons at Wave Plastic Surgery.
Your Facelift Journey
Before Surgery: Consultation & Planning
Your experience begins at the Orange County Plastic Surgery Center, where you’ll meet Dr. Lee and the clinical team. Using photos, 3-D analysis, and medical history review, he will design a surgical roadmap aligned with your anatomy, goals, and downtime availability.
During Surgery: Precision & Artistry
All facelifts are performed in our accredited surgical suite under safe anesthesia. Dr. Lee works through discreet incisions hidden along natural hairlines or ear creases, ensuring scars blend seamlessly.
Advanced microsurgical instruments allow for minimal trauma and faster healing.
After Surgery: Recovery & Renewal
The first week focuses on comfort and swelling control. By week two, most patients are presentable for social activities; by week six, they’re back to high-intensity exercise.
- Week 1: Rest, head elevation, gentle lymphatic massage
- Week 2: Sutures removed; swelling improves
- Week 3–4: Return to public activities and light makeup
- Week 8–12: Final contours refine
Results continue improving for 3–6 months as tissues settle naturally.
Longevity and Maintenance
A facelift resets facial aging by roughly 8–12 years. Longevity depends on lifestyle, sun protection, and maintenance care.
Dr. Lee often recommends non-surgical upkeep—such as Ultherapy, RF microneedling, or medical-grade skincare—to sustain lift and skin tone over time.
Patients who maintain results with annual check-ins and professional treatments report staying youthful well into their 60s and 70s.
Orange County’s Lifestyle Advantage
Orange County patients often juggle professional commitments, family life, and outdoor recreation. Wave Plastic Surgery’s local presence means you can undergo surgery and recovery without long commutes or overnight travel.
Our center is centrally located near John Wayne Airport, making access convenient for patients across Southern California and beyond.
This local accessibility supports continuity of care—Dr. Lee personally oversees each stage from consultation through follow-up.
Why Choose Wave Plastic Surgery?
- Surgeon-Led Expertise: Procedures performed exclusively by board-certified plastic surgeons.
- Innovative Techniques: Patented lifts like Wave Lift and CureLift-S offer superior lift with less scarring.
- Asian + Western Aesthetic Insight: Dr. Lee’s cultural sensitivity ensures individualized beauty across diverse backgrounds.
- Full-Spectrum Care: Surgical and non-surgical solutions under one roof.
- Reputation of Trust: Hundreds of 5-star reviews and a loyal patient base across Orange County and Los Angeles.
“Patients come to Wave for results that don’t just look good—they feel right. Every lift is a collaboration between science and artistry.”
— Dr. Peter Lee
We’re here to help you look and feel your best—without anyone guessing you had anything done.
👉 Book your consultation today with our board-certified facelift expert at Wave Plastic Surgery.
📍Serving: Los Angeles, Arcadia, Orange County, Rowland Heights, San Francisco
📞 Ready to take the next step? Call 888-674-3001 or Book Online Here
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically 10–12 years. Aging continues, but you’ll always look younger than if you hadn’t had surgery.
Usually between 45–65, depending on genetics and skin condition. Younger patients may benefit from a Mini Facelift or Endoscopic Lift.
No—Dr. Lee’s layered SMAS and deep-plane approach ensures natural movement and facial harmony.
Most patients return to light activity within 10–14 days and full routines by one month. Residual swelling fades gradually.
Yes. Common combinations include Neck Lift, eyelid surgery, or fat grafting for complete rejuvenation.
Schedule Your Consultation
Ready to reclaim your youthful definition?
Meet Dr. Peter Lee at our Orange County Plastic Surgery Center for a personalized evaluation and treatment plan.
