A deep-plane SMAS technique that repositions the tissues that have descended over the years, defining the neck angle and the jawline, with incisions hidden around the ear.
A well-done facelift goes unnoticed; what people notice is that you look rested and ten years younger. The key is to move the deep plane, not to stretch the skin.
In men the sideburn and beard line are respected; in women, the hairline. Dr. Méndez has been performing facelifts since the 1990s and has incorporated today's deep-plane techniques.
Is it for me?
Sagging cheeks, deep folds and jowls along the jawline.
Neck bands or a double chin that does not improve with office-based treatments.
Patients over 45 to 50, although the tissue sets the age, not the calendar.
What you should know
How it is done, how to care for it, and what to expect.
General information so you arrive at your consultation with the right questions. Your plan is defined during the consultation.
Technique
Deep-plane lift of the SMAS and platysma (neck).
Incisions hidden in the hairline and around the ear.
Submental liposuction, buccal fat removal or facial fat grafting when they add value.
Aftercare
Head elevated and dressing for the first week.
No hair dye or heat styling for 3 weeks.
Strict sun protection for 3 months.
Results and how long they last
Natural from the first month; improves through 6 months.
Risks and how they are reduced
Hematoma, temporary numbness and, rarely, involvement of nerve branches, which almost always recovers.
Step by step
Recovery path: Facelift and neck lift
Day 1
Soft dressing; head elevated.
Week 1
Sutures removed; bruising fading.
Month 1
Visible result; lymphatic massage.
Month 3
Keeps improving through month 6.
Approximate timelines. Your exact path depends on your case, the technique and how your body heals. Results vary.
Real cases
Results from Dr. Méndez's patients.
Real photographs shared with permission and faces covered, comparable with a before-and-after slider.
BeforeAfter
BeforeAfter
Facelift · Patient 12
Unretouched photos, published with the patient's informed consent. Results vary from person to person; your consultation decides what is possible in your case.
Before 
After 
Before 
After