Regency Lift vs. Facelift: Which is Right For You?

The Regency Lift is our signature approach to facial rejuvenation, taking a comprehensive approach designed to help patients look refreshed and feel confident.

What Is a Traditional Facelift?

A traditional facelift, also called a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that lifts and tightens the lower two-thirds of the face. It is designed to improve common signs of aging such as:

• Sagging cheeks
• Jowls along the jawline
• Deep creases between the nose and mouth
• Loose skin in the lower face

A traditional facelift has a long track record. It remains a reliable option for many patients who want to correct sagging in the lower face. Some versions of the procedure include limited work on the neck, while others focus mainly on the cheeks and jowls. A separate neck lift is sometimes added when the neck needs more attention.You can learn more about our standard approach on our Facelift.

Key Differences Between Regency Lift and Traditional Facelift

When patients ask us to explain the Regency Lift vs Traditional Facelift choice, we focus on a few core differences.Scope of treatment. A traditional facelift is usually centered on the lower face. The Regency Lift is built as a comprehensive plan that treats the jawline and neck together as part of one result.Design philosophy. A traditional facelift is a general technique used widely across the field of plastic surgery. The Regency Lift is our own approach, shaped around our focus on natural-looking outcomes.The goal for your appearance. Both aim to make you look younger. The Regency Lift places special weight on keeping your features recognizable. The aim is a refreshed version of you, not a different face.Planning. With a traditional facelift, the plan often begins with a set technique that is adjusted for the patient. With the Regency Lift, the plan starts with a full look at how your face, jaw, and neck work together.Neither option is right for everyone. The better choice depends on where you see aging, how much change you want, and what kind of result you have in mind.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Both approaches can produce meaningful results. Knowing the strengths and limits of each helps you set clear expectations.

Advantages of the Regency Lift

The Regency Lift offers several benefits for patients who want a complete, balanced refresh.

• One plan for the face and neck. Many patients notice aging in the jawline and neck first. Addressing these areas together can create a more consistent result than treating the face alone.
• A focus on natural results. Our approach is designed to avoid the pulled or windswept look that some people associate with facelifts.
• A defined jawline. A crisp jawline is one of the clearest signs of a youthful face. The Regency Lift makes this a central goal.
• A plan built for you. Because it is our signature approach, our team tailors each Regency Lift to the patient’s anatomy and goals.
• A medically supervised experience. Your care takes place within our plastic surgery practice, where your plan and recovery are guided by our team from start to finish.

Advantages of a Traditional Facelift

A traditional facelift also has clear strengths.

• A proven technique. The traditional facelift has been refined over decades and remains a standard procedure in facial plastic surgery.
• Targeted correction. For patients whose main concern is jowling or sagging cheeks, a traditional facelift can address those areas directly.
• A good fit for focused goals. Patients who are happy with their neck may not need a more comprehensive plan.
• Flexibility to combine. A traditional facelift can be paired with other procedures, such as a brow lift or eyelid surgery, when other areas need attention.

Limitations and Considerations for Each Option

No facial procedure stops the aging process. Both the Regency Lift and a traditional facelift reset the clock, but your face will continue to age naturally afterward.Some other points to keep in mind:

• Both are surgical procedures. Each requires recovery time. You will need to plan for time away from work and social events.
• Skin texture is a separate concern. A lift improves sagging and contour. It does not erase fine lines, sun damage, or uneven tone.
• Volume loss may need its own plan. Hollow cheeks or temples often respond better to volume-restoring treatments. Fat transfer or aesthetic injections are sometimes discussed alongside a lift.
• A traditional facelift may leave the neck untreated. If your neck is a concern, a traditional facelift alone may not give you the result you want.
• A comprehensive approach is not always needed. If your concerns are mild or limited to one area, the Regency Lift may be more than you need. Our team will tell you honestly which option matches your goals.

Ideal Candidates

The right procedure depends as much on you as on the technique. Your age, skin, health, and goals all play a role.

Good Candidates for a Regency Lift

You may be a good candidate for the Regency Lift if you:

• Notice sagging along your jawline and loose skin or bands in your neck
• Want a comprehensive refresh rather than a fix for one area
• Care most about looking natural and like yourself
• Feel that your face and neck seem to be aging together
• Are in good general health
• Do not smoke, or are willing to stop before and after your procedure
• Have realistic expectations about what a lift can do

Many of our Regency Lift patients describe a similar goal. They want to look the way they feel: active, healthy, and energetic. In the Phoenix area, that often means patients who spend time hiking, playing tennis, and staying busy. They want a result that fits that lifestyle.

Good Candidates for a Traditional Facelift

A traditional facelift may suit you if you:

• Are mainly bothered by jowls or sagging in the cheeks
• Have a neck that still looks firm and smooth
• Want focused improvement in the lower face
• Are in good general health and do not smoke
• Understand that results improve sagging but not skin texture

Some patients start out thinking they want a traditional facelift. During the consultation, they learn their neck plays a larger role in how old they look than they realized. Others come in asking about the Regency Lift and find that a more targeted plan meets their needs. A careful evaluation helps sort this out.

Recovery and Results

What happens after your procedure matters just as much as the procedure itself. Following your aftercare plan closely is one of the most important things you can do for your result.

Recovery Time and Aftercare

Recovery from any facial lift happens in stages. In the first days, swelling and tightness are normal. Most patients spend this time resting at home. Over the following weeks, swelling slowly goes down, and you begin to look more like yourself.The length of your recovery depends on how much work is done, your health, and how your body heals. A more comprehensive plan that includes the neck may involve a somewhat different recovery than a procedure focused on the lower face. Our team will give you a recovery plan specific to your procedure.General aftercare tips for both options include:

• Rest with your head raised. Sleeping on a few pillows can help reduce swelling.
• Follow your care instructions exactly. This includes how to clean incision areas and when to return for follow-up visits.
• Avoid heavy activity. Hold off on exercise, bending, and lifting until you are cleared.
• Protect your skin from the sun. Arizona sun is strong year-round. Shade, hats, and sunscreen help protect healing skin and support even results.
• Do not smoke. Smoking and nicotine slow healing.
• Stay hydrated and eat well. Good nutrition supports your body as it recovers.
• Be patient. Final results take time to settle. It is common to feel impatient during the first few weeks.

Plan ahead for help at home during the first few days. Having a friend or family member nearby makes recovery easier.

Expected Results and Longevity

Both procedures can create a younger, more rested appearance. The difference is in how much of the face changes and how the result looks as a whole.With a traditional facelift, patients can expect smoother cheeks, softer creases, and a firmer lower face. If the neck was not treated, it may not match the improvement in the face.With the Regency Lift, the goal is a balanced result across the face, jawline, and neck. Patients often notice a clearer jawline and a smoother neck profile. Because the approach centers on natural results, friends and family may say you look rested rather than asking what you had done.Results from a facial lift are long lasting, but they are not permanent. Your face will keep aging over time. Several habits can help you keep your results longer:

• Protecting your skin from the sun every day
• Keeping a stable weight
• Not smoking
• Following a good skin care routine
• Considering maintenance treatments such as facials and peels through our medspa