Toronto Facelift Patient Decision Guide

Facelift Decision Guide

Which Facelift Option Is Right For You?

There are various types of facelifts, each serving a distinct purpose. At The Toronto Plastic Surgery Center in Toronto, Dr. Asif Pirani understands that every facelift should be tailored to the individual’s goals, comfort, and facial anatomy, improving the way you see yourself rather than making you look like a different person.

As you read through this guide, you will learn about the different types of facelifts, how they benefit you, and if you are a good fit.

1. Begin With Your Primary Goal

Although many people want to remain young forever, signs of aging often appear on our faces and bodies before we expect them. For example, people notice jowls, loose neck skin, sagging cheeks, and deep folds. When they notice these signs, they may consider taking action with a facelift. Individuals at various stages of facial aging will benefit from different facelift techniques depending on their goals, anatomy, and severity of aging.

A. Comprehensive Rejuvenation of the Face + Neck


For people with more significant signs of aging, such as sagging skin, hollow cheeks, loose neck skin, or loss of jawline definition, more advanced surgical techniques may be recommended.

  • Deep Plane Facelift (Sub-SMAS Facelift): This is one of the most comprehensive facelift techniques, treating deeper facial structures beneath the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) layer rather than focusing solely on the skin. It allows for repositioning of underlying tissues to restore youthful contours while maintaining natural expression.
  • Corrects jowls, deep folds, midface descent, and neck laxity
  • Produces the most comprehensive and longest-lasting rejuvenation
  • Ideal for moderate to advanced facial aging
  • Requires a longer recovery period
  • Preservation Facelift:The preservation facelift is an advanced technique designed to rejuvenate the face while preserving natural ligamentous structures and minimizing unnecessary tissue disruption. Rather than aggressively lifting or removing tissue, this method focuses on restoring youthful anatomy with a refined, tissue-preserving approach.
  • Maintains natural facial ligaments and support structures
  • Provides natural-looking, balanced rejuvenation
  • May allow for smoother recovery and preserved facial expression
  • Ideal for patients seeking comprehensive improvement with a preservation-focused philosophy

B. Moderate Aging With Skin Laxity and Structural Descent


Patients experiencing visible jowls, moderate skin laxity, and early structural descent often benefit from techniques that reposition deeper support layers.

  • Traditional SMAS Facelift: The traditional SMAS facelift addresses aging by lifting and tightening the SMAS layer beneath the skin, which provides facial structure and support. By repositioning this deeper layer, the procedure restores definition to the jawline and midface while avoiding an overly tight or artificial appearance.
  • Improves jowls, facial laxity, and jawline definition
  • Restores underlying facial support structures
  • Produces natural, long-lasting rejuvenation
  • Appropriate for moderate facial aging
  • Lower Facelift: This procedure focuses on improving the lower face and jawline, restoring definition and reducing sagging in targeted areas.
  • Improves jawline contour and reduces jowls
  • Frequently combined with neck rejuvenation
  • Ideal for moderate aging affecting the lower face

C. Midface-focused Lift (Cheeks, Under-eye Hollows)


If you have flattening of the cheeks, hollowing beneath the eyes, or early midface descent, a midface-focused procedure may be appropriate.


  • Midface Lift: This approach focuses on restoring youthful contour to the cheeks and under-eye area by repositioning descended tissue and improving structural support. This technique is ideal for patients with cheek flattening or under-eye hollows who do not have significant sagging of the lower face or neck. While subtler than a full facelift, it can provide meaningful, natural-looking rejuvenation of the midface.

D. Early Signs of Aging or Mild Sagging


Younger patients or those with early facial aging may benefit from less extensive surgical options.

  • Mini-Facelift: A less extensive surgical option with shorter incisions and a quicker recovery.
  • Best for mild sagging
  • Best for patients in their 40s–50s
  • Subtle, polished enhancement rather than significant changes

E. Non-surgical Options


For patients with early aging or those seeking temporary improvement, non-surgical treatments may be considered.

  • Non-Surgical Facelift (BOTOX, Dermal Fillers):
  • Improves mild skin laxity and volume loss
  • Enhances contours temporarily
  • Ideal for early aging or maintenance
  • Cannot correct significant skin excess or structural descent

2. Take Downtime & Recovery Into Consideration

After a facelift, recovery time varies with the surgical technique and the extent of correction.

  • Minimal downtime (a few days): Non-surgical treatments
  • Moderate downtime (1–2 weeks): Mini-facelift, traditional SMAS facelift
  • Longer recovery (2–3+ weeks): Deep plane facelift, preservation facelift

Dr. Pirani will help guide you toward an option that aligns with your lifestyle and recovery preferences.

3. Evaluate the Surgical Complexity vs. Your Personal Needs

Each facelift technique offers a different level of correction.

  • Most comprehensive: Deep plane facelift, preservation facelift
  • Moderate complexity: Traditional SMAS facelift, lower facelift, midface lift
  • Least complex: Mini-facelift, non-surgical treatments

Dr. Pirani will recommend the procedure that best matches your anatomy, aging pattern, and comfort level.

4. Check Your Eligibility for the Procedure

Although many people notice facial aging more as they age, age is not the sole determinant of eligibility. Dr. Pirani understands that a facelift is not a “one-surgery-fits-all” approach, but rather a combination of several factors. Each technique offers benefits that affect individuals to varying degrees, so he considers your personal physical and psychological factors related to the procedure when evaluating your eligibility.

Age & Skin Laxity

Mild aging: Mini-facelift, non-surgical options

Moderate aging: Traditional SMAS facelift, lower facelift

Advanced aging: Deep plane facelift, preservation facelift

Medical Considerations

Good overall health

Ability to tolerate anesthesia

Non-smoker or willing to stop smoking

Expectations

Patients must have realistic expectations for any surgery, including a facelift. Whether you are receiving a surgical or non-surgical treatment, you must understand the degree to which a facelift can enhance your signs of aging.

5. The Longevity of Your Results

The longevity of your results depends on the technique used and your individual anatomy.

  • Deep plane facelift, preservation facelift: Often 10–15 years
  • Traditional SMAS facelift, lower facelift: Long-lasting improvement
  • Mini-facelift: Moderate longevity
  • Non-surgical options: Typically 6–24 months

6. Budget Considerations

Facelifts are cosmetic and rarely covered by insurance. In general, the cost of your facelift is largely determined by the severity of your signs of aging, with more severe signs leading to higher costs. You’ll receive a quote during your consultation with Dr. Pirani.

  • Highest cost: Deep plane facelift, preservation facelift
  • Moderate–high: Traditional SMAS facelift, lower facelift
  • Moderate: Mini-facelift
  • Lowest: Non-surgical treatments

Dr. Pirani’s Approach to Facelift Surgery

Dr. Pirani’s approach to facelift surgery is thoughtful, precise, and tailored to your unique anatomy. His expertise across multiple facelift techniques (including traditional SMAS, preservation, and deep plane facelifts) enables him to select the method best suited to your facial anatomy and goals.

Rather than relying on a single approach, he carefully evaluates your deeper facial support layers, skin condition, and aging pattern to restore youthful contours while maintaining natural identity and expression.

Dr. Pirani is a highly notable figure in the fields of plastic surgery and medicine. He is board-certified by the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada (FRCS), is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Aesthetic Society, and is involved with the Canadian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (CSAPS).

Quick Selector

Ask yourself:

  1. Do you want a full surgical lift or a non-surgical option with quicker recovery?
  2. Which area of concern is most significant: midface, jawline, neck, or full face?
  3. How much downtime can I realistically accommodate?

These questions are a good starting point, but you will have the opportunity to ask additional questions and to have them answered by Dr. Pirani during your consultation, during which he will recommend the best procedure for you.

Schedule Your Consultation

When you are ready to meet Dr. Pirani for an in-depth consultation regarding your signs of facial aging, such as sagging skin, jowls, and deep folds, you may schedule your consultation, and our team will assist you in finding a day and time that works for you.

During your meeting with Dr. Pirani, you will discuss your aesthetic goals, medical history, and concerns. You will also be given a thorough analysis of the areas of concern.

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