Glidelift™
At El Paso Cosmetic Surgery, we offer a refined facelift option called the Glidelift™ — designed especially for patients seeking a balance between youthful enhancement and minimal visible scarring.
What is a Glidelift™?
A Glidelift™ is intended for younger patients interested in beautification more than full rejuvenation. It hides incisions within the hairline (in the temple region) rather than in front of the ears. Because it does not remove skin, patients benefit from a smoother recovery and reduced risk of visible scarring.
Traditional Facelift vs. Glidelift™
Traditional facelifts often relied on tightening only the skin and superficial layers, sometimes leading to short-term improvements with an unnatural appearance. Modern deep-plane facelifts now target the deeper structural tissues, repositioning the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) to achieve long-lasting, natural-looking results.
The Glidelift™, developed by Dr. Sozer, takes this concept further — offering internal SMAS repositioning through hidden incisions placed within the temples and hairline, with no skin removal and no incisions made in front of the ears. This creates a refined facial enhancement without visible scarring, making it ideal for patients seeking subtle yet powerful beautification rather than full rejuvenation.
Because the Glidelift™ is best suited for the midface and brow area, it’s not designed to address the lower face or neck. Patients looking for improvement in areas like jowls or neck laxity may benefit more from a traditional deep-plane facelift or neck lift. However, for those interested in more defined cheekbones, elevated brows, and a smoother midface with minimal downtime and no visible scars, the Glidelift™ offers a specialized solution.
What is a Glidelift™ Procedure Like?
The Glidelift™ is performed under general anesthesia. Tiny incisions are made at the temples under the hairline, allowing access without any visible cuts on the face itself. Through these incisions, the surgeon lifts the facial soft tissues, repositions them thoughtfully, and modifies the SMAS internally to achieve a natural uplift.
Because the lower face is difficult to access via temple-only approaches, the Glidelift™ is best suited for patients whose heavier aging changes are concentrated in the midface or brow area — not the lower third of the face.
What is Recovery Like After a Glidelift™?
Recovery tends to be smoother and faster than with traditional facelifts because there are no visible incisions on the face. Many patients are socially acceptable within about two weeks. Typical postoperative symptoms include swelling and bruising (which may take several weeks to fade), and some residual edema can last up to six months.
Because of the minimal surface disruption, the Glidelift™ usually avoids sutures in front of the ears and skin excisions, reducing visible scarring and discomfort.
Am I a Good Glidelift™ Candidate?
The Glidelift™ works best for healthier, younger adults — typically in their 30s to early 40s — who have moderate signs of aging but whose lower faces remain relatively firm. In rare cases, some candidates up to age 45 may qualify, depending on facial structure and skin laxity.
This technique is not ideal for patients whose aging changes are primarily in the lower face (heavy jowls, deep neck laxity) or for those with significant skin excess. For those individuals, a more traditional deep-plane facelift approach may deliver better results.
If you are generally healthy, non-smoking, and understand the limits and benefits of the technique, the Glidelift™ may offer you a refined, youthful lift with minimal visible scarring.
Next Steps
To find out whether the Glidelift™ is right for your goals, schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Ozan Sozer. He will evaluate your facial anatomy, skin condition, and aesthetic desires to guide you toward the best surgical plan — whether Glidelift™ or a deeper rejuvenation approach.
What is a Glidelift™?
The Glidelift™ is a modified facelift that can address severe signs of aging with less scarring than traditional methods. Dr. Sozer pioneered this innovative technique and excels in giving patients lasting, natural-looking results with minimal scarring.
Facelift procedures at El Paso are customized to each patient’s needs. These procedures typically involve tightening the skin and repositioning underlying fat pads and muscles, lifting the foundational tissues of the face to a more youthful position. Dr. Sozer may combine multiple methods, such as a mid-facelift, neck lift, brow lift, and more, depending on your unique needs.
Traditional Facelift vs. Glidelift™
Traditional facelifts often only tightened the skin and superficial tissues, which led to short-term results that appeared artificial. Today, surgeons often perform deep-plane facelifts to address the foundational tissues, repositioning fat and muscle for longer-lasting and more natural-looking results.
What sets Dr. Sozer’s Glidelift™ apart is its minimal incisions. While a typical deep-plane or traditional facelift will leave scars around the temples or in front of the ears, the Glidelift™ uses incisions hidden within the hairline. With this advanced technique, no skin is removed and no incisions are made in front of the ear where they will leave visible scars, but patients still receive the long-lasting results of a true deep-plane facelift.
A Glidelift™ can dramatically improve signs of aging in the midface. You can expect reduced fine lines and wrinkles, jowls, and sagging, with an improved facial contour and a smoother, lifted appearance. If you’re concerned about droopy eyelids or sagging around the neck, Dr. Sozer may recommend combining your procedure with an eyelid surgery or neck lift.
What is a Glidelift™ Procedure Like?
Dr. Sozer performs facelift procedures under general anesthesia at our accredited surgical center. During a Glidelift™, he will make tiny, inconspicuous incisions within either side of the hairline. He will then use a surgical instrument called a lighted retractor to lift and illuminate the skin. This allows him to access the facial structures through just two small incisions to perform a facelift.
A deep-plane facelift involves releasing the underlying ligaments so that all the facial tissues can be gently repositioned simultaneously without any stretching or strain that leads to an unnatural, “windblown” appearance. Dr. Sozer will carefully lift the skin, fat, and muscles and suture them in this more youthful position. He will use a surgical net to secure the skin, which allows for optimal results with minimal scarring.
What is Recovery Like After a Glidelift™?
Dr. Sozer’s cutting-edge technique allows for a speedy recovery with as little discomfort and downtime as possible. You will not need drains or bandages after your Glidelift™, and you’ll be able to shower the next day. The surgical net will be removed after 48 hours, and your skin will heal without any visible marks.
Depending on the extent of your facelift procedure, you can return to work and non-strenuous activities within one to three weeks. It’s normal to experience bruising and swelling for a couple of weeks after, and some minor swelling may linger for up to six months.
Am I a Good Glidelift™ Candidate?
Since facelift procedures are so customizable, most healthy adults make good candidates. Dr. Sozer can help you choose the best facelift procedure based on your needs and goals. The Glidelift™ is ideal for patients with moderate to severe signs of aging, offering dramatic results that can take years off your appearance.
A Glidelift™ may be right for you if you:
- Have moderate to severe signs of aging, including lines and wrinkles, droopy brow, sagging skin, smile lines, and jowls
- Are overall healthy and a non-smoker without any medical conditions that will interfere with healing
- Have a positive outlook and realistic expectations for the procedure
About Our Surgical Center
Facelift procedures are considered outpatient surgeries and are performed under general anesthesia. However, depending on the extent of the surgery, an overnight stay may be required. Our surgical center, El Paso Cosmetic Surgical Center, is in our West El Paso state-of-the-art facility, which offers a comfortable and private setting. El Paso Cosmetic Surgical Center has been certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities. This is a voluntary program of certification, meaning that at El Paso Cosmetic Surgery, we choose to have our plastic surgery center inspected to ensure excellence and quality care to our patients. Only facilities that meet the most stringent requirements for patient care, cleanliness, and equipment are accredited by the AAAASF.
Get Sozerized™
The next step is to schedule your consultation. During your consultation, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sozer will evaluate you and discuss all your questions, concerns, and desires before undergoing surgery so you can have realistic expectations. You may call or text our office at (915) 351-1116 to schedule your consultation or fill out our “Schedule Your Consultation” form. Someone will contact you to make an appointment.
El Paso Surgical Center
Our state-of-the-art surgical center is a convenient and beneficial focal point of our practice, as it allows many of our patients to undergo cosmetic procedures without needing to visit a hospital. Not only does our surgical center simplify the surgical process, it also provides more personalized patient care and patient privacy.
The Medspa
Our Medspa is a luxurious, modern destination for your non-surgical aesthetic treatment needs. Our experienced nurse injectors, aestheticians, and skin care experts provide high-quality results from the newest and most advanced technologies. The Medspa offers a full spectrum of non-surgical treatments and services, so all of your cosmetic needs are located in one place.