Look Rejuvenated Without Looking Robotic!

If you’ve been thinking about a facelift but worry about looking tight, pulled, or “done,” you’re not alone. Many people want to refresh their appearance without sacrificing softness or expression. That’s exactly where the preservation facelift comes in.

This technique is a thoughtful evolution of the deep plane facelift. It’s designed to protect your natural anatomy, minimize trauma, and deliver smoother, more youthful results—with less downtime and a softer, more authentic finish.

Let’s walk through what makes a preservation facelift different at Raj Dedhia, MD, Facial Plastic Surgery in San Francisco, CA.

What Is a Preservation Facelift?

In a traditional deep-plane facelift, the skin typically requires independent lifting. It’s separated from the deeper tissues to safely navigate around important facial nerves, especially near the temples. While necessary in some areas, this separation can cause issues such as swelling, bruising, and prolonged healing. It also puts more tension on the skin, which can lead to that overly tight or windswept look.

The preservation facelift takes a smarter route. Instead of lifting the skin widely on its own, it lifts the deeper layers of the face together with the skin. This maintains blood flow, reduces trauma, and facilitates a more natural healing process for the face.

This technique is all about working with your anatomy. Think of it as a facelift that respects your face’s natural architecture. By preserving the natural attachments between the skin and underlying structures (like the SMAS), we’re able to:

• Maintain healthy blood flow

• Reduce swelling and bruising

• Avoid relying on skin tension for lift

• Create smoother, longer-lasting results in the neck and midface

To minimize skin separation and maximize results, the preservation facelift uses a few key strategies:

• Entering the deep plane early and laterally
• Elevating the skin and deeper tissues as a single, composite flap
• Releasing the flap in a way that allows for full repositioning without excess tension

These techniques help the lift translate more efficiently from the deeper layers to the surface without compromising skin health.

Biomechanical Benefits

This isn’t just about aesthetics but how your face functions and heals. By preserving key anatomical attachments, we get:

• A more effective lift in the midface and neck
• Better force distribution, so the skin doesn’t have to do all the work
• Eliminates the need to rely on skin tension for lifting, avoiding the pulled or windswept appearance.

Aesthetic and Recovery Benefits

Patients appreciate this approach because it’s gentler on the skin and facilitates a more seamless recovery. You can expect:

• Less bruising and swelling
• Shorter recovery period
• Healthier, more even skin tone after surgery
• Lower risk of complications like seroma, hematoma, or infection
• A smoother healing process, often without the need for drains

Ideal Candidate

This technique is ideal for anyone seeking natural, long-lasting facial rejuvenation, especially if you want to maintain softness and avoid an overcorrected appearance.

It’s particularly helpful for:

• Patients undergoing a revision facelift
• Smokers or those with compromised skin vascularity
• Anyone who’s had previous non-surgical treatments like fillers or threads

Schedule Your Consultation

The preservation facelift is about honoring your natural beauty while giving you a refreshed, lifted look that still feels like you. If you’re ready to explore a facelift that’s modern, gentle, and designed for real-life elegance, this could be the perfect fit.

Schedule your preservation facelift in San Francisco today! Let’s discuss your goals and create a plan that brings out your best without compromising authenticity.