Newport Beach, CA plastic surgeon Jonathan Zelken, MD says his facelifts are the best-kept secret in Newport Beach. His facial surgery patients are getting younger and that’s a good thing. “I think if someone’s aesthetic goals can be met by doing a facelift, even at a younger age, I have absolutely no moral objection to doing it,” he explains. “In fact, I think those are my favorite cases with the best results.”
Dr. Zelken says embracing advanced techniques, coupled with a focus on natural results, has made him a sought-after choice for those seeking early-intervention facelifts. His philosophy, rooted in addressing specific needs without succumbing to trends, exemplifies an evolving perspective on early intervention in plastic surgery.
The Early-Intervention Facelift
Contrary to conventional methods, Dr. Zelken says early-intervention facelifts require tailoring the procedure to each patient’s unique anatomy and goals rather than adhering to generic techniques. “In younger patients, I tend to incorporate more brow lifts for a more contoured appearance, often referred to as a ‘snatched’ look. Some patients may aim for a defined jawline like Bella Hadid. Most patients just want a natural result without appearing overly surprised.”
Dr. Zelken adds that to achieve a natural look, one must avoid extremes and address facial areas without altering them. “Many women are influenced by social media trends, particularly the desire for a ‘cat-eye’ look. I find that having an elevated brow and well-defined eyes can be objectively attractive. While I avoid extremes, my approach caters to the specific needs of discerning younger patients. This involves addressing buccal fat, implementing fat transfer and ensuring tightening of the neck muscles to prevent the need for future interventions.”
Advanced Techniques
Addressing the trend of deep plane facelifts, Dr. Zelken challenges the notion that one approach fits all. He believes that the effectiveness of a facelift depends on the surgeon and the patient, dismissing the marketing-driven emphasis on specific techniques. Dr. Zelken notes, “Every face that I do is a deep plane facelift, but I don’t necessarily market it as such. I focus on elevating the mid-face effectively and tailoring the procedure to address individual concerns.”
Part of his appeal with younger patients is his willingness to incorporate new techniques. “I think it’s refreshing for a lot of people to find a plastic surgeon who is accustomed with all the new techniques and technologies and what works and what doesn’t work without being too regimented and old fashioned.”
Facelift Alternatives
Using a combination of treatments, Dr. Zelken achieves sophisticated results for those who aren’t ready for a facelift but want to enhance their profile. For those not needing to lift facial tissue and muscle, he performs what he calls facial sculpting. “I call it facial sculpting because it is a combination of liposuction, radiofrequency skin-tightening and buccal fat-pad reduction.”
The surgeon says the key to early facial intervention is the blend of expertise and innovation. “A well-executed facelift can be an artful enhancement, irrespective of age,” he says.