Facelift Before and After Photos: How to Find and Analyze Them

If you’re considering a facelift in Austin, before-and-after photos can be an invaluable resource. They not only give you a glimpse of potential results but also help you evaluate the skill and artistry of the surgeon. However, not all before-and-after galleries are created equal. Knowing how to find and analyze these images will empower you to make an informed decision about your facial rejuvenation journey.

Why Are Before-and-After Photos Important?

Facelift before-and-after photos provide insight into the surgeon’s expertise and style. They allow you to:

• Assess Natural Results: A modern facelift should enhance your appearance without making you look overly tight or unnatural.
• Set Realistic Expectations: Comparing photos of patients with features similar to yours can give you an idea of what to expect.  You may be blessed with the cheek bones of a high fashion model and see an outstanding result on a patient with similar gifts but if you are not, and let's face it most of us are not, than you don't want to compare yourself to a before and after of a patient with different features.
• Evaluate Consistency: A skilled surgeon will show consistent results across a range of patients.  The range of patients in my opinion is important as it demonstrates that the surgeon knows how to change the technique slightly to account for different facial features encountered.

In short, these photos are a visual resume of a surgeon’s work, helping you feel confident in your choice. Explore our facelift before-and-after gallery  to see examples of our work.

Where to Find Reliable Facelift Before-and-After Photos

When researching facelift surgeons in Austin, here are some trusted sources for viewing before-and-after galleries:

1. Surgeon’s Website

Most reputable plastic surgeons feature a gallery of before-and-after photos on their website. For example, at Levesque Plastic Surgery, we showcase a variety of patient outcomes to demonstrate the artistry and precision behind every procedure.   For facelift patients it is very difficult to keep those photos private without blurring or covering up parts of the outcome some many patients choose to not allow using their photos on websites or social media.  We respect that and never post before and after photos without consent.  What about a surgeon that has only a few or no photos?  Well it's certainly a concern that can easily be asked of the surgeon during or before a consultation.  Every surgeon of course has their very first facelift patient so it does not mean that the starting surgeon will not produce an outstanding result.

2. Consultations

During an in-person or virtual consultation, surgeons can sometimes provide additional photos not available online based on patient's allowing sharing in office but not online. This can give you a more comprehensive view of their work.  

3. Professional Organizations

Organizations like the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) or the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) often include directories with surgeon profiles and photo galleries.

4. Independent Review Sites

Websites such as RealSelf allow patients to share their experiences, including photos of their results.  These may be shared by patient's themselves and not necessarily be "standard clinical photos" nor be available on the main website of the surgeon.  They can however show progress photos which are quite helpful when available to know what to expect after your facelift.

5. Social Media

Platforms like Instagram and Facebook can also feature surgeons’ work. However, be cautious about overly curated or filtered images.  Most social media posts should be scrutinized for similar poses, lighting, makeup, and of course filters.

What to Look for in Facelift Photos

To properly evaluate facelift before-and-after photos, it’s important to focus on several key factors:

1. Standardized Photography

Professional surgeons adhere to strict standards when photographing patients to ensure accurate comparisons. Look for these characteristics:

• Consistent Lighting: Shadows or bright lighting can distort results.
• Neutral Backgrounds: Busy or colorful backgrounds can distract from the focus on the patient’s face.
• Similar Angles: Photos should be taken from identical angles—typically front, left profile, right profile, and three-quarter views.

2. Makeup-Free Faces

• Patients should be photographed without makeup, which can otherwise conceal skin imperfections or uneven tones. This ensures an honest representation of the surgeon’s work.

3. No Retouching

• Beware of photos that appear airbrushed or digitally enhanced. Ethical surgeons will not alter their images, as this undermines trust and authenticity.

4. No Selfies

• Before-and-after photos should be professionally taken—selfies can introduce distortion due to camera angles and lens types.

5. Diverse Patients

A robust gallery will include patients of varying ages, genders, and ethnicities, showcasing the surgeon’s ability to tailor results to individual needs.

How to Analyze Facelift Results

Once you’ve identified a gallery with standardized photography, you can begin analyzing the results. Pay attention to the following:

1. Facial Harmony

A successful facelift maintains or enhances facial harmony. Features should look balanced and natural, with no area appearing out of proportion.  A heart shaped face is typically the most desirable.  The most typical shapes that we are trying to approve upon are square or elliptical type facial shapes commonly seen with aging.

2. Scarring

Incision lines should be well-concealed, typically hidden along the hairline or behind the ears. Look for photos with close-ups to evaluate scarring.  There will always be scarring with any surgery but when the scars are placed at normal creases or transition points the eyes are fooled to not actually see the scar.  If you see distorted ears or wide scars typically there was an issue with blood flow to the skin or excessive tension placed on the skin.  This is a hallmark of older skin only facelift type incisions that commonly produced the "windswept appearance."

3. Skin Texture and Tone

Improved skin laxity is a hallmark of a good facelift. However, the texture and tone should also appear smooth and consistent.  Without skin resurfacing of chemical peels or laser resurfacing the skin can sometimes not match the overall shape and youthfulness of the face.  Ideally patients have a total facial rejuvenation but there may be reasons a patient elected not to undergo skin resurfacing with concerns of downtime or of course expense.

4. Expression

The patient’s expression should remain natural and relaxed. Avoid surgeons whose results appear overly tight or mask-like.  A patient that is smiling in their post op photo is always a good sign but the surgeon should really take a photo in neutral position to assess true results.  Also the pre op photo should be assessed to avoid being fooled that the changes are as great as they seem.  Frequently I see the practice of taking the preop photos in the preoperative holding area of a surgery center with no makeup and typically earlier than 6 am and no rest the night before due to poor sleep leading up to surgery.  While not false to take the photos in this state preoperatively but if you do so you should also take the after photos under the same conditions which of course is never done.  The after photos are typically taken in clinic photo studio with good rest, makeup, and frequently a smile so taking pre pictures when non of us look great and then taking after photos under ideal circumstances.  Perhaps not that genuine a practice to engage in.

5. Longevity

Some galleries include follow-up photos taken months or years post-surgery. These can give you an idea of how long the results last.  I will say it can be difficult to get our patients to come back for photos even at the 1 year mark an harder still years later as the typical patient gets back to their active lifestyle and does not typically like spending more time in the plastic surgeon's office.

More Than Just Photos: Other Factors to Consider

While before-and-after photos are a critical part of choosing your surgeon, they are not the only consideration. Here are some additional factors to keep in mind:

• Training and Credentials: Ensure your surgeon is board-certified and has extensive experience in facelift procedures.  The 2 specialties that typically receive appropriate training to perform facelifts are plastic surgery and otolaryngology.  In some rare circumstances and ophthalmologist with additional training as an oculoplastic surgeon can be added to that list.  Dermatologists typically do not receive appropriate surgical training to perform major surgery as part of their standard training.  Oral maxillofacial surgeons typically receive rigorous training on the bones of the face, maxilla, and mandibles, and associated structures of the teeth and not the soft tissues of the face and neck.  Of course surgeons can learn new things but my stance is if you wanted to practice plastic surgery than one should do a plastic surgery residency.
• Bedside Manner: A surgeon who listens to your concerns and makes you feel comfortable is essential for a positive experience.  Ask yourself this one question, if there is a complication is this surgeon capable and will they care for me appropriately to see me through to the other side of the complication.  If the answer is maybe, RUN.
• Price: Cost is an important factor, but it should not be the sole determinant. Check out our price menu  for transparent pricing information.  I do believe surgeons should be able to charge whatever the choose to but if your really paying 5 or 10 times more than another surgeon I doubt highly that your result will be 5-10 times better.  At astronomical pricing your really paying that premium as more of a status symbol.

Questions to Ask About Before-and-After Photos

When reviewing photos during your consultation, don’t hesitate to ask questions such as:

“What techniques were used to achieve these results?”

“Are these typical outcomes for patients like me?”

“Can I see photos of patients with similar facial features or concerns?”

Red Flags to Watch For

While analyzing facelift before-and-after photos, be cautious of the following:

• Lack of Variety: A gallery with only a few photos may not provide enough evidence of consistency.
• Unrealistic Results: If results seem too perfect or identical across patients, they may not reflect reality.
• Poor Quality Images: Blurry or poorly lit photos can obscure the true outcomes.

Why Choose Levesque Plastic Surgery for Your Facelift in Austin?

At Levesque Plastic Surgery, we pride ourselves on transparency and excellence. Our before-and-after gallery  features:

• High-quality, standardized photography
• A wide range of patient outcomes
• Results that prioritize natural beauty and facial harmony
• Price that is competitive for the value delivered especially as we are the only one I know in the area that performs deep plane facelift under local anesthesia.
  

Final Thoughts

Facelift before-and-after photos are a powerful tool in your decision-making process. By knowing where to find reliable galleries and how to analyze them, you’ll be better equipped to choose a surgeon who aligns with your aesthetic goals. If you’re searching for a facelift in Austin, we invite you to explore the transformative results at Levesque Plastic Surgery. Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward rejuvenating your appearance with confidence.