Aging doesn’t happen to just one part of the face. It unfolds gradually, across every zone — the brow descends, the eyelids grow heavy, cheek volume migrates south, jowls form along the jaw, and the neck begins to lose its definition. By the time most patients come in for a consultation, the changes they’re seeing in the mirror aren’t the result of one problem. They’re the result of many, working together.
That’s why Dr. Sharma approaches facial rejuvenation the way he does — not as a single procedure, but as a coordinated strategy. Whether you’re considering a facelift, a combination of facial procedures, or something less involved, the goal is always the same: a result that looks genuinely refreshed, not operated on. Natural. Distinctly you.
Patients in Austin, Texas choose Dr. Sanjay K. Sharma for facial surgery because of his surgical depth and his ability to see the face as a whole. With extensive training in both plastic and reconstructive surgery, he understands how each region of the face interacts with the others — and how addressing them together produces results that are more harmonious and longer-lasting than treating any one area alone.
Most people think of facial aging as a skin problem — too many wrinkles, not enough firmness. In reality, aging affects several distinct layers of the face simultaneously: the skin itself, the underlying fat compartments, the facial muscles, and the bony structures that support everything above them. When you understand this, it becomes clear why no single cream, filler, or even surgery can address the full picture on its own.
The brow and forehead tend to show the earliest signs. Tissue descent in this area can make a person look tired, stern, or older than they feel — even when the rest of the face hasn’t changed significantly. At the same time, the eyelids begin to accumulate excess skin and fat, which only adds to that heavy, fatigued appearance. Lower on the face, volume loss in the midface causes the cheeks to hollow and the nasolabial folds to deepen. Jowling along the jaw and laxity in the neck complete the picture.
The good news is that each of these changes is addressable — and in many cases, addressing several at once, during a single procedure and recovery, produces results that are more balanced and more satisfying than a piecemeal approach done over many years.
A Personalized Plan, Not a One-Size-Fits-All Procedure
Every patient who comes to Dr. Sharma for facial rejuvenation is evaluated as an individual. Your anatomy, your degree of aging, your personal goals, and your recovery timeline all factor into what he recommends. For some patients, a well-executed facelift — the gold standard for addressing moderate to significant laxity in the mid and lower face — is the right solution on its own. For others, a facelift is best complemented by a brow lift, eyelid surgery, fat grafting, or a neck lift to produce the most natural and comprehensive outcome.
During your consultation, Dr. Sharma will walk you through what he sees — not just what you’re asking about, but the full context of your facial anatomy — and explain what’s likely to give you the best result. His practice philosophy has always been to put your interest first, which sometimes means recommending a less extensive approach than you came in expecting, and sometimes means suggesting you consider a more complete plan than you had in mind.
Facial Rejuvenation Procedures at SKS Plastic Surgery
Below is an overview of the facial procedures Dr. Sharma performs and the concerns each one is best suited to address. Many of these are performed together, in a single surgical session, to minimize downtime and produce more cohesive results.
A surgical facelift remains the most effective and longest-lasting solution for moderate to advanced signs of aging in the mid and lower face. By repositioning the underlying SMAS — the muscular layer of the face — and removing excess skin, Dr. Sharma is able to restore definition to the jaw, reduce jowling, and smooth deep creases without producing the tight, pulled appearance that older techniques were sometimes associated with. Options include a mini facelift, which focuses on the midface and involves smaller incisions, or a full facelift for more comprehensive rejuvenation.
If a heavy or descended brow is making you look chronically tired or irritable, a brow lift may address more than you’d expect. By elevating the brow to a more youthful position and smoothing horizontal forehead lines, this procedure opens up the entire upper face — and often has a rejuvenating effect on the eyes as well. It’s frequently combined with eyelid surgery and a facelift for patients seeking a complete facial refresh.
The eyes are often the first place aging becomes noticeable — and one of the most transformative areas to address. Upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin that has accumulated on the upper lids, which can not only restore a more youthful appearance but also improve the visual field when laxity is significant. Lower blepharoplasty addresses puffiness and under-eye bags caused by herniated fat pads, as well as the fine crepe-like texture that develops under the eyes with age. When performed together, upper and lower eyelid surgery can take years off the appearance without any change to the mid or lower face.
For many patients, the neck is the most frustrating area to address — and the one most resistant to non-surgical treatment. A neck lift tightens the platysma muscle, removes or redistributes excess fat, and eliminates loose hanging skin to restore a clean, well-defined jawline and neck contour. It’s commonly performed in conjunction with a facelift, since the two areas are anatomically continuous and a rejuvenated face with an unaddressed neck can look incomplete.
One of the most important shifts in how plastic surgeons think about facial aging over the past two decades has been the recognition that aging isn’t just about tissue descending — it’s also about volume being lost. Fat grafting addresses this directly by harvesting a small amount of fat from another area of the body — often the abdomen or thighs — processing it, and injecting it precisely into the areas of the face that have hollowed with age: the temples, cheeks, under the eyes, and around the mouth. The results are natural, long-lasting, and add a softness and fullness that no amount of skin tightening alone can replicate.
Not every patient is ready for — or in need of — surgery. For patients in their 30s or early 40s with early signs of aging, or for those looking to maintain results after a surgical procedure, non-surgical options play an important role. Botox can soften dynamic lines around the eyes and forehead. Dermal fillers like Juvéderm and Restylane can restore volume, smooth folds, and enhance lip definition. And medical-grade chemical peels can dramatically improve skin tone, texture, and radiance. These treatments can be powerful on their own or used in combination with surgery for a more complete outcome.
One of the most common questions patients ask is whether it’s safe — and worth it — to address multiple areas in a single surgical session. In most cases, the answer is yes, and for good reason.
There is only one recovery. Whether Dr. Sharma performs a facelift alone or a facelift combined with a brow lift and eyelid surgery, the recovery period is largely the same. Combining procedures means you go through that process once, rather than returning for a second surgery — and a second recovery — down the road.
The results are more harmonious. When different regions of the face are addressed together, the outcome is balanced in a way that is difficult to achieve otherwise. A beautifully executed facelift on a patient with a significantly descended brow, for example, may not look the way either the patient or the surgeon hoped — because the upper face is still pulling the overall appearance in a different direction.
Dr. Sharma takes care to ensure that any combination of procedures is safe for the individual patient. He reviews health history thoroughly, discusses anesthesia options in detail, and won’t recommend an approach that he doesn’t believe is in your best interest.
Your facial rejuvenation journey at SKS Plastic Surgery begins with a thorough consultation. Dr. Sharma will spend time understanding your concerns and your goals, evaluating your facial anatomy, and explaining what he believes will give you the best result. He’ll be direct with you about what surgery can and can’t accomplish — because realistic expectations are the foundation of a satisfying outcome.
Facial procedures are performed at an accredited surgical facility, typically under general anesthesia or IV sedation, and are outpatient in nature — meaning you return home the same day. Recovery varies depending on the scope of your procedure, but most patients are comfortable being seen in public within two to three weeks. The full result continues to develop over the following months as any residual swelling resolves and the tissues settle into their new position.
Dr. Sharma provides detailed aftercare instructions and remains closely involved throughout your recovery. He also recommends a post-surgery supplement protocol designed to minimize bruising, reduce swelling, and support healing — something his patients consistently find helpful in those early days.
Dr. Sanjay K. Sharma has been performing facial surgery in Austin since 2003. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The Aesthetic Society — distinctions that reflect not just his training, but his ongoing commitment to the field.
What his patients consistently describe is a surgeon who listens, who doesn’t rush the consultation process, and who gives them an honest assessment of what he can and can’t do. His approach has never been to upsell or to push. It’s to find the solution that genuinely fits the person sitting across from him — and then execute it with precision and care.
Schedule a Consultation
If you’re considering facial rejuvenation — whether you have a specific procedure in mind or simply want to understand your options — we invite you to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Sharma. He’ll take the time to answer your questions, evaluate your concerns, and help you develop a plan that makes sense for you.
Call our Austin office at (512) 324-2765 or use the contact form below to get started. We look forward to hearing from you.
Not exactly. A facelift is one component of facial rejuvenation — a powerful one — but facial rejuvenation as a concept is broader. It refers to any combination of surgical and non-surgical treatments designed to restore a more youthful appearance to the face as a whole. For some patients that means a facelift alone. For others it means a facelift combined with a brow lift, eyelid surgery, and fat grafting. And for patients earlier in the aging process, it might mean fillers, Botox, and a chemical peel. The right answer depends entirely on where you are and what you’re trying to accomplish.
This is exactly what your consultation is for. Dr. Sharma will evaluate your concerns with fresh eyes and explain what he sees — often pointing out things patients haven’t thought to mention, and occasionally redirecting attention away from an area a patient was focused on toward one that’s likely to make a bigger difference. His goal is to give you the most honest assessment he can, not to recommend more than is necessary.
In most cases, yes — and it’s often the preferred approach. Combining procedures allows you to go through a single recovery rather than multiple, and it typically produces a more balanced result. Dr. Sharma carefully evaluates each patient’s health and the scope of what’s being planned to ensure the approach is appropriate and safe.
It depends on the procedure. A facelift typically produces results that remain noticeably refreshed for seven to ten years or more. Fat grafting results are long-lasting, as the surviving fat cells behave like native tissue. Non-surgical treatments like Botox and fillers are temporary by nature and require periodic maintenance. Regardless of what’s done, a consistent skincare routine, sun protection, and a healthy lifestyle all extend and protect your results over time.
Not if it’s done well. Dr. Sharma’s consistent goal — and his patients’ consistent experience — is a result that looks natural. The feedback his patients hear most often from friends and family isn’t “you look like you had surgery.” It’s “you look great. Did you get some rest? Lose weight? Change your hair?” That’s the outcome he’s aiming for.
I had a cut tendon that was not initially diagnosed (elsewhere). I was in surgery less than 24 hrs after seeing Dr. Sharma. The coordination with Dell Setton UT, covid precautions, and Dr. Sharma’s team was fast and smooth. The surgery went great and I am on the way to being able to use my thumb again! The follow up with Occupational Therapy is excellent. So many people helping me along is a humbling experience.
Dr Sharma and Sarah Ellis are both amazing and helpful. Dr Sharma cares as does his staff and he beyond does his homework. Love this medical group!
I felt like I was taken care of like their family. My specialty needs were met, and they are providing aftercare exactly the same way. My special care continues, and I am so happy to share my experiences with everyone!!
He explained everything about the steps that I need to do before the surgery, and my sister and I felt like he was very caring and compassionate to my needs and really wanting to help me out and get my questions answered about what I will be facing, and overall I felt like my dream and future will become a reality for me. And an answer to my prayers and having a hope for a better life and great outcome for my future.
Individual attention concerning my welfare was over and above my expectations. Best medical care you could ask for. Thank you DR. SHARMA AND YOUR TEAM!
Contact our office to schedule a private consultation with Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Sanjay K. Sharma, M.D., F.A.C.S.
