Trending Facelift Terms and What to Know About Them

Today’s facelift procedures offer a range of specialized techniques to address varying aesthetic goals and degrees of aging. These refined approaches have led to a growing list of trending terms you may see popularized online, such as “cat-eye facelift,” “preservation facelift,” and “liquid facelift,” to name a few.

While the marketing around “new” facial rejuvenation options can be enticing, most of these labels refer to well‑established surgical or non‑surgical techniques that must be tailored to both suit your unique anatomy and goals. 

Below, the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) clarifies the techniques behind popular (and sometimes misleading) facelift terms.

5‑Point Facelift 

This minimally invasive treatment is also called a “filler lift” and relies on precisely placed injections of hyaluronic‑acid dermal fillers to restore support at five anchor points of the face: the cheeks, temples, under‑eye hollows (tear troughs), the folds that run from nose to mouth (nasolabial folds and marionette lines), and the jawline. These locations are intended to be anatomically effective for resisting the aging effects of gravity. The goal is to lift, contour, and restore volume without surgery.

While a 5-point facelift offers temporary improvement for the right patient and may help delay the need for surgery, it cannot replicate the structural lifting and skin tightening that surgical facelift procedures provide. 

Best candidates: This technique is best suited for individuals with early volume loss or mild sagging who prefer a non-invasive option.

Cat‑Eye Facelift or Fox‑Eye Facelift

The cat-eye facelift or fox-eye facelift may refer to several techniques cosmetic surgeons use to elevate the outer corners of the eyes and create an almond eye shape that resembles a cat-like eye contour. Techniques may include neurotoxin injections, non-surgical thread lifting, suturing, eyelid surgery, or brow lift surgery. 

While this procedure can change the appearance of the eyes, it is not technically a facelift and does not address aging in the midface, lower face, or neck. Treatments and procedures that address the upper face are often combined with surgical facelifts for more comprehensive rejuvenation.

Best candidates: This technique is best suited for patients interested in lifting drooping eyelids or reshaping the eye area.

Trending facelift terms typically have no standardized definitions, and techniques and expected results can vary significantly depending on the provider. 

Liquid Facelift

A liquid facelift is another temporary non-surgical protocol, similar to a 5-point facelift, but uses both dermal fillers and Botox-type injectables to achieve a facelift effect. Dermal fillers are placed where needed to restore volume, fill in hollows and static wrinkles, and define facial features, while neuromodulators are injected to soften and prevent expression-based lines and wrinkles. 

Although the liquid facelift is popular for its minimal downtime and immediate results, it does not remove excess skin or reposition underlying tissues. It’s also important to note that overuse of injectables can create “puffy” or “over-filled” features, and too many syringes of filler or poorly placed neuromodulators can lead to a “frozen” appearance.

Best candidates: A liquid facelift may be an option when concerns are mild and patients prefer a quick result with no downtime or surgery.

Ponytail Facelift

The ponytail facelift is a trendy term to describe the lifting and smoothing effects that pulling one’s hair into a high ponytail has on the eye, forehead, and cheek areas. Surgically, this refers to a facelift technique that uses hidden or minimal incisions to target the upper and midface. (The neck and jawline, crucial components of most facelifts, are not typically addressed with this technique.)

Patients should be cautious with this term and others, as there are no standardized protocols, and procedures and results can vary significantly between providers.

Best candidates: A ponytail facelift may be sufficient for younger patients or those with localized facial aging who do not need extensive correction.

Preservation Facelift

The preservation facelift is a surgical technique focused on maintaining the natural anatomy of the face while repositioning SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) layers with minimal disruption to the underlying structures. 

Although the term “preservation” often appeals to patients seeking a refined, age-appropriate result without looking “overdone,” only adjusting the SMAS layer may result in underwhelming or unnatural results. A deep plane facelift, which repositions the tendons and ligaments that anchor facial tissue to the underlying bone structure, can achieve longer-lasting and more natural-looking results. A skilled cosmetic surgeon tailors the level of rejuvenation based on the patient’s needs and goals. 

Best candidates: A preservation facelift may be an option for patients who want subtle surgical results. 

Choosing the Right Approach

Trend‑driven names can create confusion, but every successful procedure, surgical or non-surgical, relies on a personalized plan, sound anatomical principles, and the skill of an experienced, board‑certified cosmetic surgeon.

A thorough consultation will allow you to understand your options, evaluate what is achievable for your anatomy, and help you make an informed decision based on longevity and your goals. 

Find an ABCS board certified cosmetic surgeon near you with our directory.