Modern Facelifts Without the Overdone Appearance: The New Gold Standard in Natural Rejuvenation

Personalized Care at Wave Plastic Surgery

I want to look younger—but I don’t want to look like I’ve had work done.

This is one of the most common concerns we hear at Wave Plastic Surgery from both women and men. The good news? You can absolutely achieve a refreshed, youthful appearance without sacrificing your natural look or expressions.

Gone are the days of overly tight, “windblown” faces. Today’s facelifts are artful, subtle, and highly personalized. In this guide, we’ll explore what makes a modern facelift different, how to avoid the “overdone” look, and what options are best for you—whether you’re in your 40s or 60s, male or female, and ready to feel confident in your own skin.

what causes melasma

Why Do People Want Facelifts—But Fear the Results?

Many people want to reclaim a youthful appearance, but they hesitate. Why? Because of what they’ve seen: celebrities or acquaintances with overly tight skin, frozen expressions, or dramatically altered features.

Their most common concerns are:

  • “Will I still look like me?”
  • “Will it be obvious I had something done?”
  • “What if my face looks too tight or unnatural?”
  • “Can men even get facelifts without looking obvious?”

These concerns are valid—but they stem from outdated techniques and one-size-fits-all approaches.

Watch: Modern Facelift with Dr. Lee

Dr. Peter Lee of Wave Plastic Surgery breaks down how modern facelift techniques achieve natural, long-lasting results with artistic precision and surgical skill.

Plastic Surgeon Peter Lee

About Dr. Peter Lee

Dr. Peter Lee, MD, FACS, Founder and Chief Surgeon at WAVE Plastic Surgery, is a board-certified expert known for advanced facelift techniques that deliver natural, balanced results and fellow of the American College of Surgeons. As an international educator and trainer, Dr. Lee has refined modern approaches like deep plane and SMAS facelifts, focusing on subtle rejuvenation rather than drastic changes. His artistic precision, global reputation, and commitment to patient care make him a trusted leader in facial aesthetics.

What Is a Modern Facelift?

A modern facelift goes beyond pulling the skin. Today’s techniques involve repositioning deeper layers of tissue (the SMAS layer), restoring volume, and enhancing the natural contours of your face. The result? A more youthful version of yourself—not a different person.

Techniques used include:

  • SMAS Facelift: Targets deeper tissues for longer-lasting, more natural results.
  • Deep Plane Facelift: Releases facial ligaments and repositions facial fat pads for subtle rejuvenation.
  • Mini Facelift: Ideal for younger patients or those with early signs of aging.
  • Midface Lift: Elevates sagging cheeks and improves under-eye hollows.
  • Neck Lift Add-On: Addresses sagging skin and muscle bands in the neck area.

“What’s the best facelift for a natural look?”

A deep plane or SMAS facelift performed by a board-certified surgeon is often the best option for long-lasting, natural-looking results.

The New Gold Standard: Natural-Looking Facelift Results

At Wave, we understand the importance of facial harmony, symmetry, and expression. Your face tells your story—and we want to enhance, not erase, that narrative.

What sets our results apart:

We don’t do “cookie-cutter” facelifts. Each procedure is tailored to your facial anatomy, ethnicity, age, and aesthetic goals.

We use 3D facial mapping, fat grafting, and tissue-sparing techniques to create balance and softness.

Our board-certified plastic surgeons are artists in the operating room. Their goal is not just to lift, but to sculpt—like refreshing a masterpiece, not starting from scratch.

Our incision lines are carefully placed in natural folds, behind the ear, or along the hairline to remain virtually undetectable.

Watch: Male Facelifts & Natural Results

This short video shows how subtle techniques can make a powerful difference—especially for male patients who want to retain strong, masculine features.

Modern Facelifts for Men: A Growing Trend

More men are choosing facelifts today than ever before—especially those in business, entertainment, and leadership positions. And it’s not about vanity. It’s about confidence.

Men often seek to:

  • Define a strong jawline
  • Tighten loose neck skin
  • Look more alert and energized
  • Stay competitive in youth-driven industries

🔗 Learn more about Facial Surgery for Men at Wave.

Is a Facelift Right for You?

You might be a candidate for a modern facelift if:

  • You’re in your 40s to 60s with visible signs of aging
  • You have sagging skin along the jawline or neck
  • You feel your face doesn’t reflect how youthful you feel
  • You’re ready for long-lasting results—not just temporary fixes

Still unsure? Book a free consultation. We’ll assess your facial structure, skin quality, and goals to recommend the best option for you.

Before and After Facelift at Wave Plastic Surgery

Real Results: Before and After

Our results speak for themselves—refreshed, not frozen. See how our patients look like themselves, just more vibrant and confident.

See Our Gallery »

Watch: Avoiding the “Pulled” Look

Dr. Lee explains what causes an “overdone” appearance and how to avoid it entirely.

Combining Surgical & Non-Surgical for the Most Natural Look

Sometimes, the best results come from layering techniques. At Wave, we often combine facelifts with:

  • Fat grafting for volume restoration
  • Botox for fine line smoothing
  • Fillers for midface or lip rejuvenation
  • Laser resurfacing for skin texture improvement

This approach ensures your skin looks as young as your structure feels.

Frequently Asked Questions

The deep plane facelift or SMAS facelift provides the most natural, long-lasting results without looking overdone.

Choose a board-certified surgeon who uses modern techniques focused on tissue repositioning—not just skin pulling.

Absolutely. At Wave, we tailor male facelifts to maintain masculine contours while refreshing the overall appearance.

While all surgery involves recovery, mini facelifts and non-surgical options like thread lifts or lasers have minimal downtime.

Costs vary based on the procedure’s complexity. We offer transparent pricing and financing options to help you plan confidently.

Why Choose Wave Plastic Surgery?

orange county plastic surgery center
  • Award-Winning Care in Los Angeles, Arcadia, Costa Mesa, & San Francisco
  • Multilingual, multicultural team with aesthetic understanding across backgrounds
  • State-of-the-art technology and surgical suites
  • Personalized attention before, during, and after your procedure
  • Financing and flexible payment plans available

Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options or ready to move forward, Wave offers a judgment-free, educational consultation to support you.

Ready to Look Like Yourself—Just More Refreshed?

We’re here to help you look and feel your best—without anyone guessing you had anything done.

👉 Book your consultation today with one of our board-certified facelift experts at Wave Plastic Surgery.

📍Serving: Los Angeles, Arcadia, Orange County, Rowland Heights, San Francisco

📞 Call 888-674-3001 or Book Online Here

Quick Take Aways:

Watch Related Videos

Picture of Peter Lee

Peter Lee

Dr. Peter Lee, MD, FACS, Founder, CEO and Chief Surgeon of WAVE Plastic Surgery Center and Advanced Endotine Bioskills surgeon educator and trainer, is a top Los Angeles board-certified Plastic, Reconstructive, and Cosmetic Surgeon. Dr. Peter Lee is a board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Drawing patients from around the world, he is both an innovator and thought leader who has advanced the discipline of plastic surgery through his lifelong commitment to excellence and education. In addition to being bilingual in English and Korean, Dr. Lee has mentored and trained master surgeons in South Korea, China and other Asian countries in state-of-the-art techniques and scientific advancements in the field.

View Our Testimonials

Schedule Your Consultation Today

OR

Get Your Consultation Today

Give us a call today to schedule a consultation with one of the plastic surgery experts at Wave Plastic Surgery.

Subscribe to Receive Exclusive Email Specials

Specials and Announcements(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Specials and Announcements(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow our YouTube for the latest content

Discover the Latest in Beauty and Aesthetics – Follow Us on YouTube for Weekly Updates from World Renowned Surgeon Team!

With a wide range of breast, body, and face procedures, our goal at Wave Plastic Surgery is to allow for all of our patients to achieve their ideal appearance, no matter their age or ethnicity. Our doctors all have extensive experience working with patients of all different backgrounds and have developed expertise in Asian plastic surgery procedures such as eyelid and nose surgery. We work with all sorts of men and women—both local to the Los Angeles area and from far out of town—to help find the right procedure to help them reach their goals.

Wave Plastic Surgery offers an inclusive menu of non-surgical treatment options that will cover all types of anti-aging and skin concerns from wrinkles, sagging skin, hair loss, women’s health, poor skin texture, large pores, skin discoloration, Rosacea, acne, scars, volume loss, and aging hands, neck and chest.