THE ART OF NATURAL: The Truth About Facelifts, Neck Aging, and Looking Like Yourself

September 18, 2026

·

Written by saeed behzadnasab

THE ART OF NATURAL: The Truth About Facelifts, Neck Aging, and Looking Like Yourself

September 18, 2026

·

Written by saeed behzadnasab

Jadu Beauty Podcast ·

From " Sketching Faces on the Subway " to Leading NYC Facial Plastic Surgeon

Ever notice your neck looks older than your face? You are not imagining it. Dr. Jennifer Levine, one of New York City's leading facial plastic surgeons, says the neck really does age faster, and the reasons might surprise you. Growing up in Brooklyn, she sketched the people sitting across from her on the bus or subway and was "fixing them up a little bit." Today she brings that artist's eye and a master's grasp of anatomy to refined, natural, deeply customized results. Her work enhances each patient's features while preserving what makes them unique. This episode covers facelifts, non-surgical lifting, and recovery. It is also a lesson in the whole-body, ritual-first thinking Jadu brings to hair care, for men and women alike.

You can find more of her work on her Instagram

"Fixing them up a little bit."

Dr. Jennifer Levine, on sketching strangers as a kid in Brooklyn

What We Cover in This Episode

01

The Neck Ages Faster. Here Is Why.

Both the face and neck have thin skin. The difference is blood supply. The face has a very rich one, which helps it heal quickly. The neck has a less robust supply, so it is less resilient. Add constant positioning and movement, plus the fact that most people apply creams to the face and skip the neck, and the aging gets a head start. The scalp lives in the same blind spot. It is skin too, and it rarely gets attention until something feels off. That is exactly why scalp treatments matter for hair density and scalp health ,no matter who you are.

02

Inside the Layers: The SMAS

The head and neck pack in critical nerves, arteries, and muscles that control speaking, swallowing, breathing, seeing, smelling, and hearing. Dr. Levine calls a master-level understanding of that anatomy non-negotiable for safe, natural outcomes. One layer takes center stage. The SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) is fibroconnective tissue that wraps the muscles of facial expression, from the top of the head down to the clavicle. Lift this deep layer and you reposition the entire face. Since muscles like the platysma insert into the lower face, the face and neck are typically treated together for balance. Hair follows the same rule. What you see on the surface often starts deeper down, which is why it pays to understand how stress affects your hair growth cycle

03

Before the Scalpel: Non-Surgical Lifting

Surgery is not always step one. Several non-surgical facelift options tighten and lift with minimal downtime. Ultherapy Prime is considered a gold standard. It uses micro-focused ultrasound to visualize target tissue layers and deliver precise thermal coagulation points that stimulate collagen and elastin. Sculptra is a bio-stimulatory injectable that encourages the body to produce its own collagen over time. Radiofrequency devices like Forma, Evoke, Evoke RF, and radiofrequency microneedling use thermal energy to tighten tissue and remodel collagen. The common thread is patience. Bio-stimulation works with your body's own repair systems, the same way our Slow Infusion Method, rooted in Anna's family recipes , lets time do the work. Skin and hair also change together as we age, which we explore in the biology of menopause and how to nourish your hair and skin

"A balanced body is better able to handle life's challenges."

Claudine Sarraf Amirian — Licensed Acupuncturist

04

Mini, SMAS, or Deep Plane: Choosing a Facelift

When non-surgical options stop delivering, surgery offers comprehensive rejuvenation. A mini facelift uses smaller incisions, sometimes with endoscopic techniques, and suits patients with minimal excess skin. A SMAS facelift modifies the SMAS layer by trimming, sewing, or plication (folding) to support deeper tissue. A deep plane facelift dissects beneath the SMAS so fat pads and tissue are repositioned together as one composite layer. Notice the pattern. The deeper the fix, the more lasting it tends to be. The same logic explains why a styling oil is not the answer to hair breakage . Surface fixes only go so far when the issue lives underneath. It is also why Split Ends Care is built as deep nourishment, not a cover up, which we break down in 5 reasons split ends do not stand a chance

05

Recovery, Preparation, and Skin Quality

Great recovery starts before surgery. Dr. Levine's guidance is to avoid blood thinners and alcohol, and to strictly refrain from smoking for a month before and after. Initial swelling subsides significantly over the first 6 weeks, and final refined results settle over 6 to 12 months. One last piece: the surface has to match the structure. Laser resurfacing helps erase fine lines, sun spots, and texture irregularities so the skin complements the lift. As always, follow your own surgeon's instructions. The takeaway holds for every kind of care. A great result is a complete routine, not a single step, which is the idea behind Jadu's ultimate haircare playbook . Not sure where to start? Take the 60-second routine quiz and build one around you

Related to This Episode

Dr. Levine did not mention Jadu products in this episode. These picks are here because they share the philosophy behind her work: consistency, honest ingredients, and care for the whole picture.

FOR THE SKIN YOU FORGET

Magic Drip — Hair Density Serum

"The scalp is skin, and it deserves the same attention as the face."

Jadu Magic Drip is a water-based scalp serum made for fuller-looking hair, and part of our Scalp care . Use it daily, the way you would any skincare step you do not want to skip. It works for men and women, and here is why a scalp serum for men beats everything else in the cabinet .

Shop Magic Drip →

FOR LABEL READERS

Jadu Shampoo & Conditioner

"What you can't put in your mouth, don't put on your skin."

Honest care starts with honest ingredients. Our all natural shampoo and conditioner is made with food grade ingredients: real botanicals, vitamins, and preservatives, slow-infused in small batches. See every ingredient on our Shop By Ingredient page . It is made without harsh chemicals, with no sulfates, parabens, silicones, or synthetic fragrance. Complete your routine and save with the shampoo conditioner bundle, or browse the full Shampoo & Conditioner collection .

Shop Shampoo & Conditioner →

FOR THE NIGHTLY RITUAL

Jadu Silk Bonnet

"Small habits, done consistently, beat one big fix."

The Jadu Silk Bonnet is made from premium mulberry silk to reduce friction, frizz, and breakage overnight while helping hair keep its moisture. It suits all hair types, for men and women, so it is an easy ritual to share. Find more in Bonnets & Scrunchies .

Shop Jadu Silk Bonnet →

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