A Natural-Looking Deep Plane Facelift Without the “Pulled” Look

Developed by dual board-certified facial surgeon Dr. Reza Bolourian, the ContourLift is a refined deep plane facelift that addresses aging across the face, neck, and brow — without the tight, overdone look of traditional facelifts. This advanced technique releases the facial structures where aging begins, then repositions them with precision to restore a more youthful appearance that still looks unmistakably like you.

ContourLift at Orange County Surgical Specialists

Facial rejuvenation is a complex art. Mission Viejo plastic surgeon Dr. Reza Bolourian has been at the forefront of providing natural-looking, youthful results. Dr. Bolourian is passionate about taking a comprehensive approach to surgical facial rejuvenation. With the ContourLift, he can achieve results that address the upper, mid, and lower face and neck for a comprehensive (yet natural-looking) transformation.

Many clients request a neck lift. Although a neck lift is a great procedure to correct and treat saggy necks, we believe a neck lift alone will not address the entire aging process and does not necessarily make one look younger. That is the basis of why we are so passionate about ContourLift, a comprehensive deep plane face and neck lift.

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What Is a ContourLift?

The ContourLift is a proprietary surgical technique designed by Dr. Bolourian after years of experience performing complex facial rejuvenation procedures. It uses a composite deep plane approach, meaning both the skin and the underlying SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) layer are lifted together, not separately or superficially. The key to its success lies in releasing the ligaments that tether facial structures downward and repositioning them vertically, opposite the natural direction of aging. This allows for tension-free closure and minimal visible scarring while creating a naturally refreshed appearance that avoids the pulled or “operated-on” look. Unlike traditional facelifts, which may only target the lower face or neck, the ContourLift rejuvenates the entire face—from temple to collarbone—with results that are both dramatic and remarkably natural.

The Four Principles of the ContourLift

The ContourLift is built on four core surgical components that work together to create a balanced, natural-looking transformation. Each element is designed to address a different aspect of facial aging—from deep structural support to surface refinement—for results that are comprehensive, long-lasting, and uniquely tailored to you.

Deep Plane Composite Facelift

As an integral part of ContourLift, a composite deep plane facelift offered by Dr. Bolourian in Mission Viejo, CA, targets the cheeks or the mid-face and the lower face, specifically the jowls. Dr. Bolourian's composite deep plane facelift involves very well-designed and hidden incisions within the natural creases, then lifts and vertically repositions the deeper tissues called the SMAS layer. By creating a composite flap, the entire face is elevated, repositioned, and rejuvenated permanently without leaving big scars since the composite deep plane facelift is designed to avoid any tension on the skin.

Deep Plane Neck Lift

The neck is one of the most challenging areas to rejuvenate, and also one of the most telling when it comes to age. Many traditional neck lift techniques focus only on tightening surface muscles like the platysma, often leaving deeper issues unaddressed.

The deep plane neck lift, as part of the ContourLift, goes beyond the surface. It carefully reshapes and supports the deeper anatomical structures, including excess fat beneath the platysma, enlarged digastric muscles, and descended submandibular glands. This comprehensive approach restores the neck's natural contour from the inside out and supports long-lasting, refined results that match the rejuvenation of the face.

Deep Plane Endoscopic Temporal Lift

Just as the face and neck age, the upper face and corners of the eyes droop and give the appearance of a sad look. The powerful deep-plane endoscopic temporal lift is a minimally invasive procedure that creates a subtle and natural lifting effect on the temples and corners of the eyes. This procedure is performed with the aid of a camera and tiny incisions in the hairline.

This procedure is an essential part of the ContourLift to achieve the well-balanced and natural results you should expect from an experienced surgeon.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Part of the ContourLift is addressing the surface-level skin issues that our practice believes are crucial for achieving age-defying results alongside deeper tissue and muscle improvement. Dr. Bolourian's Mission Viejo plastic surgery practice believes that addressing the skin wrinkles, age spots, and uneven skin tone is as important as correcting the underlying aging tissues. Therefore we offer the state-of-the-art Sciton Erbium for laser resurfacing that improves uneven skin tone and texture, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines.

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Watch Shendelle’s Deep Plane Facelift Journey

ContourLift Benefits

Those seeking a deep plane composite facelift can greatly benefit from the unique ContourLift in Mission Viejo, CA, and enjoy:

  • Comprehensive rejuvenation of the full face and neck
  • Fewer wrinkles, lines, and deep creases
  • Tighter skin throughout the upper face, mid-face, jawline, and neck
  • More even skin tone and texture
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Before & After ContourLift

Our Aesthetic Philosophy: Subtle, Never Overdone

At Orange County Surgical Specialists, we believe the best facial surgery restores what time has softened—it does not reinvent who you are. The ContourLift is grounded in a “less is more” philosophy, using precise, deep-plane techniques to enhance your natural features without distortion or obvious signs of surgery. The goal isn't change for the sake of change—it's a refreshed, confident version of you that still feels entirely like yourself.

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ContourLift Candidates

Good candidates for the ContourLift in Mission Viejo are adults aged 40 to around 80 who would like to address signs of aging, such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and uneven skin tone. Since this is a surgical procedure, candidates should be in overall good health and free from serious conditions that could prevent an ideal healing process. Your in-depth consultation with Dr. Bolourian will provide you with a great understanding of the procedure and its benefits.

"I felt assured I was in good hands."

I had the Contour Lift with Doctor Reza Bolourian and I am very happy with my results. Dr. Bolourian is truly a master at his craft. My incisions are unidentifiable. The office is nice. Office and medical staff are wonderful. They were very prompt to address any questions or issues I had. Everyone was very caring. I felt assured I was in good hands. Great value for money spent. Would definitely recommend.

Charlene B.

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Consultation and Preparation

Whether your consultation is in person or via Zoom, Dr. Bolourian will examine your skin, talk with you about your aesthetic goals, and provide an expertly crafted treatment plan. You will have plenty of opportunities to ask any questions or express any concerns about your procedure. Dr. Bolourian is very open about providing you with his honest and sincere opinion about a procedure you elect to have. He takes your safety and health very seriously, and you can be sure you will receive the best advice when it comes to having surgery on your face. Preparing for this procedure may include lab work or medication adjustments prior to your surgery day to prepare your body for surgery.

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Procedure

The ContourLift is typically performed under twilight sedation but can also be safely performed under deep sedation or general anesthesia. The procedure begins with making very small incisions hidden within the hairline to lift the temporal and upper parts of the cheeks and corners of the eyes. A deep neck lift is then addressed by tightening the muscles, eliminating the laxity and neck bands. The extended, composite deep plane facelift is then performed to erase the jowls and deep laugh lines.

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Anne's Facelift Journey with Dr. Reza Bolourian

Aftercare, Recovery, and Results

Recovery after the ContourLift is typically straightforward and well-tolerated. Some bruising and swelling are expected in the first one to two weeks, and temporary changes in sensation may occur as the tissues heal, usually resolving within two to three months. Most patients return to work or social activities within 14 to 21 days, although strenuous exercise should wait about four weeks.

Because the ContourLift works at a deeper anatomical level, the results are both long-lasting and naturally expressive. Many patients continue to enjoy their refreshed appearance 10 to 15 years after surgery. By preserving your unique facial identity while restoring youthful structure, the ContourLift offers a deeply satisfying and enduring transformation.

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Why Choose Orange County Surgical Specialists for Your ContourLift in Mission Viejo?

At Orange County Surgical Specialists, your ContourLift is performed by Dr. Reza Bolourian, a dual board-certified facial surgeon with over 20 years of experience and more than 1,200 ContourLift procedures completed. As the developer of this advanced deep plane technique, Dr. Bolourian combines surgical precision with an unwavering commitment to natural-looking results.

Every ContourLift is thoughtfully tailored to your anatomy and goals, ensuring a boutique experience that prioritizes safety, trust, and long-term satisfaction—all in the comfort of our fully accredited Mission Viejo surgical center.

Contourlift Frequently Asked Questions

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What makes ContourLift superior to other facelift surgeries?

In order to answer this question, the reader must understand the aging face and how it is rejuvenated without the telltale signs of a facelift. Aging does not only occur in our neck or jowls. Upper face, mid-face, jowls, and neck show signs of aging as we grow older. The Contourlift addresses all the structures from the hairline to the shoulders in a systematic, common-sense method. Many facelifts only address the neck and jowls, and some address the jowls only. The ContourLift is a comprehensive approach to simply bring back your youthful self without the pulled, unnatural look other facelift techniques may create.

In addition to addressing the entire face and neck, the ContourLift also addresses the skin. After all, if the skin has imperfections, it would take away from the results of a deep plane facelift. In Mission Viejo, CA, Dr. Bolourian offers Sciton Erbium laser treatment with every deep plane Contourlift facelift performed. The advantage of the Sciton Erbium laser is that it provides not only better results than the CO2 laser, but also the recovery is significantly shorter. We encourage you to read about Sciton laser technology on our website.

Is ContourLift a deep plane Facelift?

Yes, ContourLift is a composite deep-plane full facelift. A composite facelift means the skin and the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic system) layers are lifted in one unit, the ligaments tethering the face and neck are released, and the structures responsible for aging are repositioned vertically without tension, creating a natural, youthful look.

What is a good age to consider having the ContourLift?

We have many patients in their mid to late 30s with early signs of aging who are good candidates for ContourLift surgery. Most patients are in their 40s through 80s. Many people think if you are younger, there is no need to perform a deep plane facelift. In fact, a deep plane facelift at a younger age (40s-early 50s) works very well, and the longevity of the surgery carries on as a person transitions into older age.

Is it possible to have other procedures in conjunction with the ContourLift?

Yes, oftentimes, facial fat grafting is performed in conjunction with ContourLift surgery. The purpose of facial fat grafting is not to simply fill the face with fat, but to augment areas that have been deflated due to aging or hereditary deficiencies. Dr. Bolourian will never overfill one's face to cause unnatural results. Other procedures to consider in conjunction with Contourlift are lip lift, upper and lower eyelids blepharoplasty, earlobe rejuvenation, rhinoplasty, otoplasty, laser skin resurfacing, and other adjuncts to complement the results of the ContourLift.

In terms of motor nerve damage (nerves responsible for facial movements), is the deep plane facelift or the ContourLift more risky than the SMAS plication facelift or mini facelift?

Many studies have shown that any facelift surgery may pose a risk of nerve damage. In experienced hands, motor nerve damage is rare, and deep plane facelifts, including the ContourLift, do not pose more risks than traditional SMAS facelifts.

How many ContourLift surgeries has Dr. Bolourian performed?

Dr. Bolourian has been performing Facelift surgery for over 22 years, with over 4000 facelifts under his belt. He created and perfected the ContourLift over 8 years ago and has performed over 1200 ContourLift surgeries.

How long is ContourLift recovery?

In general, recovery after a ContourLift lasts about one to two weeks. The face will go through subtle changes over a few months, but you will be able to resume your normal social activities two weeks after ContourLift.

How long do the results of a ContourLift last?

While every patient continues to age over time, the improvements achieved with a ContourLift are designed to be long-lasting. Many patients enjoy a refreshed, lifted appearance for 10 to 15 years or longer, depending on lifestyle, skin quality, and genetics. The surgery resets the facial structure to a more youthful state, so even as time passes, you'll continue to look naturally younger than your age.

Is ContourLift Surgery Painful?

Although pain perception varies from person to person, most of our patients take prescription medications for one or two days, then they switch to regular Tylenol for another three to four days. Generally, facelift surgery is not a painful procedure.

I am planning to lose weight, should I wait to lose the weight to have the ContourLift?

We have had many patients who lost up to 45 lbs after their ContourLift surgery with no negative impact on the ContourLift results. Therefore, we can confidently advise our patients that it is safe to lose weight after the ContourLift.

How much does a ContourLift cost?

The ContourLift is tailored to each individual. The cost of a ContourLift varies depending on the patient's specific needs and the scope of the procedure. The price for the ContourLift ranges from mid $30,000 to mid $40,000.

In what facility is the ContourLift Surgery performed?

We own our accredited surgery center, and all of our surgeries are performed in our accredited, fully equipped facility in Mission Viejo, CA. Our Anesthesiologists are board-certified with at least ten years of experience in performing outpatient anesthesia. Dr. Bolourian has full privileges at MemorialCare Hospital.

We have worked tirelessly to create a safe and comfortable environment for our patients, and our Operating Room is held to the same standards as hospital operating facilities.

What about Aftercare?

After your surgery, you recover in our comfortable recovery room under the care of Dr. Bolourian along with our registered nurse. Once you have fully recovered from anesthesia, you will have the option to go home if you are local or you will go to one of our aftercare facilities for a day or two. Details will be discussed with you at the time when you schedule your surgery or at your consultation visit.

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