Facelift

Home›Procedure›Facelift

Our face tells our life story. A story of years full of expression and movement. But that same movement, day in and day out, leaves its marks. Where muscles work, the surrounding tissue gradually loses its firmness. Gravity then does the rest: sagging volumes slowly slide downward.

Initially, the signs are subtle, a fold here, a crease there. But over time, as these sagging volumes continue to descend, excess skin and wrinkles appear. Aging is therefore not merely an accumulation of wrinkles, but fundamentally a descent of facial volumes. For this reason, rejuvenation revolves around lifting these structures and restoring the natural, younger anatomy.

Our goal? To restore your facial contours and lift sagging structures, so you look fresher and more youthful, without unnatural results.

Schedule a consultation

Facelift & Facial Rejuvenation | Dr. Maarten Van Genechten

A facelift is a surgical procedure designed to improve the visible signs of aging in the face and neck in a natural, impactful way.

Facial Surgery | Dr. Maarten Van Genechten
Facial Surgery | Dr. Maarten Van Genechten

What causes aging?

Aging of the face is caused by three important processes, commonly referred to as the “three big S’s”: Sagging, Shrinkage and Skin deterioration. Which of these three factors plays the greatest role depends on age and the individual face. However, there is broad consensus that from approximately 35 to 40 years of age, sagging volumes are the most prominent cause of facial aging.

Sagging of volumes

Facial ligaments act as anchor points in the face. The combination of these anchor points and gravity creates differences in relief and depth, visible in the nasolabial folds, the marionette lines and the jowls (excess skin along the jawline).

During a Deep Plane Facelift, these fixed areas are released, the muscle layer is repositioned and excess tissue is removed.

Volume loss

In certain areas of the face there appears to be a loss of volume, but this is largely an illusion caused by the sagging of volumes. Elsewhere in the face, this volume loss does occur.

This is corrected by relocating, transferring or repositioning the body's own fat.

Decline in skin quality

Skin aging due to genetics, lifestyle and environmental factors results in a loss of elasticity, wrinkles and changes in skin texture.

Although skincare can be supportive, aging cannot be fully prevented through skincare alone.

Facial Surgery | Dr. Maarten Van Genechten

“Aesthetics is not a matter of age, but of proportions. Where the patient’s wishes and the structure of the face converge, I restore the original harmony, guided by anatomy.”

What types of facelifts are there?

Dr. Van Genechten specializes in various facelift techniques, from less extensive lifts to Deep Plane Facelifts and Revision Facelifts. Depending on the degree of aging in your face, he creates a treatment plan that is fully tailored to your personal needs and wishes.

Contact us

Mini-facelift

A mini-facelift means a different technique for every surgeon. Mini-lift is therefore a description of a collection of techniques that generally aim to treat early signs of aging in the face. Mini-lifts typically take less time and have a shorter recovery period, because the incision is smaller and the dissection less extensive.

Dr. Van Genechten does not offer a standard mini-facelift. Instead, he offers a less extensive Deep Plane alternative. Discuss this during your consultation.

Deep Plane Facelift

The Deep Plane Facelift focuses on a relaxed and natural result, with a technique aimed at a natural approach to facial aging. This advanced method distinguishes itself by minimally separating the skin from the deeper muscle layer and by completely releasing the facial ligaments in the deep plane. This allows the facial structures to be repositioned without tension, resulting in a natural appearance and optimal recovery with barely visible scars.

Read more

Revision facelift

A revision facelift can be a solution for patients who are dissatisfied with the result of their previous facelift. This complex procedure requires more experience and expertise from the surgeon than a primary facelift. A comprehensive consultation prior to the procedure is necessary to set realistic expectations and discuss the risks and complications.

Read more

Non-surgical alternatives

Many patients experience a hesitation to undergo a surgical procedure. They are not yet ready for it, have anxiety about it, or the procedure is not necessary at that time. That is why most patients initially opt for non-invasive treatments. These treatments can improve skin texture or supplement volume loss, but do not provide structural rejuvenation. When the effect is no longer sufficient, the step toward a facelift is often taken.

Dr. Van Genechten does not perform injectables himself, but works with fulltime injectors. His expertise lies entirely in aesthetic facial surgery.

Facial Surgery | Dr. Maarten Van Genechten

What does a facelift do, and what does it not?

Rejuvenation comes first

A facelift is not a procedure that changes your face. The goal is rejuvenation while preserving your natural facial identity, that is: without altering your natural features.

This requires a thorough understanding of how aging affects the anatomy of the face and what is needed to effectively correct these changes. The goal is to reverse the signs of facial aging with high specificity and precision, without causing unwanted side effects.

Additionally, a facelift does not stop the natural aging process. After recovery, aging continues at the same pace as before, typically in line with the patient’s biological age.

Misconceptions about a facelift

A common concern among patients is that a facelift will make the face look unnatural or altered. While this fear is understandable, it is important to know that a facelift is all about subtlety and precision.

A facelift is, first and foremost, a rejuvenation procedure. Its primary purpose is to rejuvenate the face without altering it in the process. This means that structures are not lifted higher than they have ever been, and no fat is placed where none has ever been lost due to aging.

Various procedures that alter the face (fox-eyes, cat-eyes, overfilling of the face) go in and out of fashion and have nothing to do with rejuvenation or with a facelift.

Why choose a specialist for your face?

The face is the most expressive and recognizable part of our body. Who you entrust your face to is therefore a decision you make with care. Discover what makes the difference.

Contact us

Aesthetics and function go hand in hand

In the world of facial surgery, everything revolves around balance. A craniomaxillofacial surgeon specializes in both soft tissue and bone surgery of the face. A necklift repositions the soft tissues in the neck region for cosmetic purposes. A chin correction or jaw correction can achieve a similar effect on the profile by surgically advancing the patient's own bone—a functional procedure with significant aesthetic benefits.

A facial surgeon examines and treats all tissues in your face. The well-known saying “If all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail” does not apply in a field that is so exclusively and deeply specialized in the face.

Form equals function

Repetition and experience make the difference

A specialist in the face operates exclusively in the face. This is not only important, this is essential. The more often your surgeon performs a particular procedure or the more often your surgeon operates in a particular anatomical region, the greater his expertise in it will be.

The greats weren't great because at birth they could paint, the greats were great 'cause they paint a lot. – Ten Thousand Hours, Macklemore

The face is the main focus

Your face deserves the care of a specialist. Just as one would not hire a criminal defense lawyer for a divorce, a patient would not consult a hip surgeon for a shoulder problem either. The face is the most personal and expressive part of our body. That is why it is important to entrust it to a specialist in the field. A facial surgeon focuses exclusively on the face.

Focus on you and your face

Rejuvenation with respect for anatomy

Rejuvenation is not about creating a new look or identity, but about restoring the youthful anatomy and appearance of the face. Rejuvenating facial surgery is therefore specifically about reversing the age-related changes in the anatomy of the face. It is about respecting the natural anatomy without altering the unique features.

This requires an in-depth understanding of the underlying anatomy, soft tissues and bone, as is taught from the foundation of a craniomaxillofacial surgery residency.

Rejuvenation is not about creating a new look, but about restoring and enhancing what was always there.

Passion and deep respect for the face

Facial surgery is not just a profession. It is a passion. Every procedure is the result of years of dedication, study and collaboration with the best in the field. Dr. Van Genechten travels worldwide each year to refine his knowledge and techniques, with the goal of offering his patients the very best. Every face he treats is a mission and an opportunity to achieve the perfect rejuvenation, with respect for the individuality and naturalness of the face.

With Dr. Van Genechten, you choose a specialist who has mastered the science and anatomy of the face and the art of facial rejuvenation. His mission: a face that is younger, not different, and that reflects the best version of yourself.

If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants. – Sir Isaac Newton

Frequently asked questions

Do you have any further questions? Feel free to ask. Contact us

Does a facelift hurt?

Patients may feel some discomfort in the first days after a facelift. Since the Deep Plane Facelift is a tension-free procedure, pain is minimal or often even absent.

Due to swelling in the first 48 hours, the face may feel tight and uncomfortable, but pain is rare. Any mild discomfort is usually well managed with paracetamol.

Am I too young or too old for a facelift?

When a face shows signs of laxity or sagging volumes, a facelift can be a good solution, even from the age of 35 to 40. Third revision facelifts can also be performed in patients around the age of 70, provided they are in good health.

Patients want to see a reflection in the mirror of how they feel on the inside, regardless of their biological age.

I only want a facelift or only a necklift. Is this possible?

Dr. Van Genechten frequently performs an isolated deep necklift. However, this procedure is not suitable for everyone. Sometimes an isolated necklift is performed at the patient's request without a proper indication. This can demonstrate a lack of insight into the anatomy and aging process of the face.

Often, what the patient asks for is accommodated, but “the customer is always right” can be somewhat short-sighted in this scenario. The face and neck age together and therefore often need to be rejuvenated together to achieve a natural, harmonious result.

A tight neck with sagging cheeks is just as unnatural as tight cheeks with a sagging neck. Nevertheless, a necklift is an excellent treatment for a considerable group of younger patients.

The deep necklift is the new mini-lift.

I am a smoker. Would you perform a facelift on me?

Dr. Van Genechten is first and foremost a surgeon and will always place your health first. Smokers have a higher risk of poor wound healing, scarring, infection and skin necrosis.

Patients undergoing a face and necklift are urged not to actively smoke or use nicotine replacements in the 6 weeks before and 6 weeks after the procedure.

If you cannot commit to this, the answer to this question is no.

I plan to lose a lot of weight. Should I wait for a facelift?

When a face and necklift is performed, your facial contour is perfectly calibrated to the hard and soft tissues of your face, much like a dress or pair of pants would be for a body. Weight loss or a rapid weight gain afterward means that the dress or shirt will no longer fit as well.

Significant weight loss alone will also create excess tissue. It is best to reach your ideal and target weight in the long term and only then undergo a face and necklift.

How much does a facelift cost in Belgium?

The cost of a facelift varies depending on the type of procedure, the complexity and any combined treatments. During your personal consultation, Dr. Van Genechten creates a customized treatment plan, including a detailed price estimate. This way you know exactly what to expect beforehand.

How long is the recovery after a facelift?

Most patients are socially and professionally active again after 2 to 3 weeks. Swelling and stiffness gradually decrease in the first weeks. After approximately 3 months, most patients are fully recovered for social occasions. The definitive result of the procedure is visible after 12 to 16 months.

How long does a facelift last?

A Deep Plane Facelift typically provides 10 to 15 years of rejuvenation. After the procedure, the natural aging process continues at the same pace as before, but from a younger starting point. A second facelift after 10 to 15 years is possible and not unusual.

What is the difference between a facelift and a mini-facelift?

A mini-facelift focuses on a limited area, usually the jawline and the lower part of the face. A full Deep Plane Facelift treats the entire face and neck by repositioning the deeper tissue layers. The mini-facelift offers a shorter recovery but also a more limited and less durable result. Dr. Van Genechten discusses during your consultation which approach best suits your anatomy.

What is the difference between a Deep Plane Facelift and a SMAS facelift?

In a SMAS facelift, the superficial muscle layer (SMAS) is tightened, but the skin is released separately. In a Deep Plane Facelift, the skin and SMAS are lifted as one layer and the facial ligaments are released. This allows the tissue to be repositioned without tension, resulting in a more natural and longer-lasting result with less tension on the scars.

Are facelift scars visible?

Facelift scars become barely visible when placed with careful technique. They lie in natural creases around the ear and sometimes in the hairline. In a Deep Plane Facelift, the deeper tissue layer carries the lift, so the skin bears little tension and the scars heal more finely. After 6 to 12 months, the scars are typically barely noticeable.

Can a facelift be combined with other procedures?

Yes, a facelift is regularly combined with a deep necklift, eyelid surgery, brow reset or facial lipofilling. By treating multiple zones at the same time, a harmonious and balanced result is achieved with only one recovery period. During your consultation, Dr. Van Genechten discusses which combination is most suitable for your situation.

How do I choose the best surgeon for a facelift?

Pay attention to the frequency with which the surgeon performs facelifts, the consistency of the before-and-after results and the organization of aftercare. A specialized facial surgeon who performs facelifts on a weekly basis has the experience and anatomical insight needed for a predictable and natural result. Ask about the technique used and why it is suitable for your anatomy.

Results

A facial rejuvenation procedure is a choice you make for yourself, not for the outside world. It is a decision that matures quietly, in all serenity and purely for you. In our practice, discretion is an absolute standard. Privacy is not a detail, but a cornerstone. The vast majority of our patients consciously choose to keep their results private.

What you see here is exceptional. Only a small number of patients have granted us permission to share their results. Out of respect for their trust and generosity, we wish to acknowledge this explicitly. They help others make an informed decision. These images are not a showcase, but a discreet compass, honest and invaluable.

More results

Brow symmetry or symmetry in general can never be the goal of surgery. But sometimes it is the result of restoring anatomy. When I look at these photos, I don’t see the jawline first. I see the eyes. I see the eyebrows. I see a face that has let go of its muscle tension. As the deeper tissues are repositioned and facial balance is restored, the constant tension carried by the brow often softens. The eyebrows become more symmetrical, not because they were operated on directly, but because the face is no longer fighting itself. Less tension. More harmony. Nothing else. #deepplanefacelift #revisionfacelift #drvangenechten
Brow symmetry or symmetry in general can never be the goal of surgery. But sometimes it is the result of restoring anatomy. When I look at these photos, I don’t see the jawline first. I see the eyes. I see the eyebrows. I see a face that has let go of its muscle tension. As the deeper tissues are repositioned and facial balance is restored, the constant tension carried by the brow often softens. The eyebrows become more symmetrical, not because they were operated on directly, but because the face is no longer fighting itself. Less tension. More harmony. Nothing else. #deepplanefacelift #revisionfacelift #drvangenechten
View details
The most important part of a facelift is also one of the hardest things to measure. Scientific studies are exceptionally good at answering quantitative questions. How long do results last? How often do complications occur? How many years pass before patients seek another rejuvenation procedure? But the qualities patients actually notice are often the hardest to measure. Does the face still feel authentic? Does the result look natural? Or does one corrected feature draw attention to everything that wasn’t treated? These are qualitative outcomes. They are shaped by thousands of micro-decisions made during surgery. Every change in tissue tension. Every difference in elasticity. Every millimetre of tissue requiring a different decision. None of those decisions come from a protocol. They come from anatomy continuously giving feedback. Two surgeons can look at exactly the same face. One simply sees more. Not because they have better eyesight, but because years of experience have trained them to recognise anatomical nuances others don’t even realise exist. Perhaps that’s what expertise really is. It is not only knowing what to do. It is recognising when, where, and how much. That is what makes facial rejuvenation so fascinating. Looking younger should never come at the expense of identity. In male facial rejuvenation, preserving masculine anatomy is just as important as creating a younger appearance. In the end, surgery isn’t about changing faces. It’s about understanding anatomy well enough to let it guide every decision. #facialrejuvenation #malefacelift #deepplanefacelift #drvangenechten You swiped. Good. Curiosity is how we start seeing what others miss.
The most important part of a facelift is also one of the hardest things to measure. Scientific studies are exceptionally good at answering quantitative questions. How long do results last? How often do complications occur? How many years pass before patients seek another rejuvenation procedure? But the qualities patients actually notice are often the hardest to measure. Does the face still feel authentic? Does the result look natural? Or does one corrected feature draw attention to everything that wasn’t treated? These are qualitative outcomes. They are shaped by thousands of micro-decisions made during surgery. Every change in tissue tension. Every difference in elasticity. Every millimetre of tissue requiring a different decision. None of those decisions come from a protocol. They come from anatomy continuously giving feedback. Two surgeons can look at exactly the same face. One simply sees more. Not because they have better eyesight, but because years of experience have trained them to recognise anatomical nuances others don’t even realise exist. Perhaps that’s what expertise really is. It is not only knowing what to do. It is recognising when, where, and how much. That is what makes facial rejuvenation so fascinating. Looking younger should never come at the expense of identity. In male facial rejuvenation, preserving masculine anatomy is just as important as creating a younger appearance. In the end, surgery isn’t about changing faces. It’s about understanding anatomy well enough to let it guide every decision. #facialrejuvenation #malefacelift #deepplanefacelift #drvangenechten You swiped. Good. Curiosity is how we start seeing what others miss.
View details
Beauty lives in the shadows. Look beneath the jawline. Look at the area under the mandible. Before surgery, one of the underlying structures of the neck, the submandibular gland, was clearly visible. It interrupted the natural transition between jawline and neck and flattened the contours that normally create elegance. Look again. There is now depth beneath the jaw. A cleaner transition into the neck. Because a beautiful neck is not a two-dimensional line. It is a three-dimensional structure. And people experience it in three dimensions. That’s why neck surgery is rarely only about the skin. The real work happens underneath. The structures beneath the jaw. The volume beneath the platysma. The anatomy that creates shadows, depth and definition. An elegant neck is not created by pulling harder. It is created by restoring the architecture beneath the skin. And in this case, there is even more to the story than meets the eye. More on that in the next post. Most people call this a sharper jawline. I call it anatomy. #deepplanefacelift #neckliftsurgery #deepplanenecklift #necklift #drvangenechten
Beauty lives in the shadows. Look beneath the jawline. Look at the area under the mandible. Before surgery, one of the underlying structures of the neck, the submandibular gland, was clearly visible. It interrupted the natural transition between jawline and neck and flattened the contours that normally create elegance. Look again. There is now depth beneath the jaw. A cleaner transition into the neck. Because a beautiful neck is not a two-dimensional line. It is a three-dimensional structure. And people experience it in three dimensions. That’s why neck surgery is rarely only about the skin. The real work happens underneath. The structures beneath the jaw. The volume beneath the platysma. The anatomy that creates shadows, depth and definition. An elegant neck is not created by pulling harder. It is created by restoring the architecture beneath the skin. And in this case, there is even more to the story than meets the eye. More on that in the next post. Most people call this a sharper jawline. I call it anatomy. #deepplanefacelift #neckliftsurgery #deepplanenecklift #necklift #drvangenechten
View details
Beauty trends come and go. Fillers. Threads. Devices. Skin treatments. Anatomy doesn’t. This is a revision case following previous facial rejuvenation procedures performed elsewhere. No matter what has happened to a face over the years, gravity still plays by the same rules. It doesn’t care how much you’ve spent.
It doesn’t care what was popular five years ago.
It doesn’t care what’s trending today. Every day, it does the same thing. Tissues descend. The jawline softens. The neck becomes heavier. And slowly, the face loses its structure. The fascinating thing? When structure is restored, the face immediately starts making sense again. Not because it looks operated. Not because it looks younger. Because it looks coherent again. Anatomy always wins. In the coming weeks, I’ll break down different views of this result. The most interesting details become visible when you start looking from different angles. #revisionfacelift #facelift #necklift #faceliftbeforeandafter #drvangenechten
Beauty trends come and go. Fillers. Threads. Devices. Skin treatments. Anatomy doesn’t. This is a revision case following previous facial rejuvenation procedures performed elsewhere. No matter what has happened to a face over the years, gravity still plays by the same rules. It doesn’t care how much you’ve spent.
It doesn’t care what was popular five years ago.
It doesn’t care what’s trending today. Every day, it does the same thing. Tissues descend. The jawline softens. The neck becomes heavier. And slowly, the face loses its structure. The fascinating thing? When structure is restored, the face immediately starts making sense again. Not because it looks operated. Not because it looks younger. Because it looks coherent again. Anatomy always wins. In the coming weeks, I’ll break down different views of this result. The most interesting details become visible when you start looking from different angles. #revisionfacelift #facelift #necklift #faceliftbeforeandafter #drvangenechten
View details
What if I told you wrinkles are not the first sign of facial aging? Most people think they are. They’re not. The earliest signs of facial aging are usually structural. The cheeks slowly descend. The jawline becomes less defined. The neck becomes heavier. The tissues that once sat higher on the face gradually move downward. And what does all of this create? A tired look. Wrinkles are often just the consequence. That’s why simply filling lines or adding volume doesn’t always create a younger appearance. For me, this case represents the hallmark of facial rejuvenation. Not changing a face. Not creating a different version of someone. Simply restoring anatomy. Putting tissues back closer to where they once belonged. No exaggerated cheeks. No overfilled appearance. No attempt to erase every line. Just a fresher, lighter and more rested version of the same person. In my opinion, the best results are often the hardest to explain. People won’t necessarily think: “She had surgery.” Instead they’ll think: “She looks rested. She looks healthy. She looks great.” And they won’t quite be able to tell why. That’s when I know we’ve succeeded. Not different. Just younger. #deepplanefacelift #facelift #necklift #drvangenechten #facialrejuvenation
What if I told you wrinkles are not the first sign of facial aging? Most people think they are. They’re not. The earliest signs of facial aging are usually structural. The cheeks slowly descend. The jawline becomes less defined. The neck becomes heavier. The tissues that once sat higher on the face gradually move downward. And what does all of this create? A tired look. Wrinkles are often just the consequence. That’s why simply filling lines or adding volume doesn’t always create a younger appearance. For me, this case represents the hallmark of facial rejuvenation. Not changing a face. Not creating a different version of someone. Simply restoring anatomy. Putting tissues back closer to where they once belonged. No exaggerated cheeks. No overfilled appearance. No attempt to erase every line. Just a fresher, lighter and more rested version of the same person. In my opinion, the best results are often the hardest to explain. People won’t necessarily think: “She had surgery.” Instead they’ll think: “She looks rested. She looks healthy. She looks great.” And they won’t quite be able to tell why. That’s when I know we’ve succeeded. Not different. Just younger. #deepplanefacelift #facelift #necklift #drvangenechten #facialrejuvenation
View details
The irony of facelift surgery? Most people fear the scar… while often noticing the distorted hairline, pulled earlobe or unnatural tension far more. A facelift is ultimately a trade-off in anatomy and vectors. Aging creates excess and laxity. Rejuvenation requires repositioning that tissue somewhere. The question is not whether a trace exists. The question is where you place it, how much tension it carries, and whether natural contours are respected. These scars are approximately 6 weeks after surgery. They will continue to soften and mature over the coming months. But scar quality is rarely just about “healing.”
It is heavily influenced by tension, vascularity, smoking status, incision design, and how anatomy is respected during closure. Around the ear, anatomy becomes particularly unforgiving. Small distortions immediately reveal surgery:
- loss of the earlobe contour
- displacement of the hairline
- flattening of natural transitions
- visible pull in front of the ear That is why I generally prefer hiding the incision within natural reliefs and contours whenever possible, including partially inside the tragal border, rather than accepting visible distortion elsewhere. Because in facial rejuvenation, the goal is not simply removing skin. It is preserving identity while repositioning structure. And when tension is minimized and anatomy respected, scars usually become surprisingly discreet over time. The best facelift often leaves far less signs than the aging it corrected. #deepplanefacelift #facialrejuvenation #facelift #naturalfacelift #drvangenechten
The irony of facelift surgery? Most people fear the scar… while often noticing the distorted hairline, pulled earlobe or unnatural tension far more. A facelift is ultimately a trade-off in anatomy and vectors. Aging creates excess and laxity. Rejuvenation requires repositioning that tissue somewhere. The question is not whether a trace exists. The question is where you place it, how much tension it carries, and whether natural contours are respected. These scars are approximately 6 weeks after surgery. They will continue to soften and mature over the coming months. But scar quality is rarely just about “healing.”
It is heavily influenced by tension, vascularity, smoking status, incision design, and how anatomy is respected during closure. Around the ear, anatomy becomes particularly unforgiving. Small distortions immediately reveal surgery:
- loss of the earlobe contour
- displacement of the hairline
- flattening of natural transitions
- visible pull in front of the ear That is why I generally prefer hiding the incision within natural reliefs and contours whenever possible, including partially inside the tragal border, rather than accepting visible distortion elsewhere. Because in facial rejuvenation, the goal is not simply removing skin. It is preserving identity while repositioning structure. And when tension is minimized and anatomy respected, scars usually become surprisingly discreet over time. The best facelift often leaves far less signs than the aging it corrected. #deepplanefacelift #facialrejuvenation #facelift #naturalfacelift #drvangenechten
View details
Nobody wakes up one morning thinking: “I need a facelift.” Most patients simply start noticing they look more tired… even when they still feel energetic. That is usually how facial aging begins: not with wrinkles first, but with heaviness, loss of tension and definition around the jawline, neck and eyes. Interestingly, people are choosing facelifts younger than before. Not because they want to look “different.” But because modern facial rejuvenation has become more refined, more natural, less painful and far more discreet than older techniques. And there is another paradox: Treating aging earlier and more harmoniously often keeps people more under the radar than waiting until facial aging becomes severe. This is one of the kindest and most down-to-earth patients to have around. The type of person who makes everyone feel comfortable within five minutes. In this patient, a deep plane facelift, neck lift, temporal restoration, an upper blepharoplasty and a tiny amount of tear-through lipofilling were combined to restore one thing above all else: A rested face. #deepplanefacelift #deepplanenecklift #temporalrestoration #blepharoplasty #drvangenechten
Nobody wakes up one morning thinking: “I need a facelift.” Most patients simply start noticing they look more tired… even when they still feel energetic. That is usually how facial aging begins: not with wrinkles first, but with heaviness, loss of tension and definition around the jawline, neck and eyes. Interestingly, people are choosing facelifts younger than before. Not because they want to look “different.” But because modern facial rejuvenation has become more refined, more natural, less painful and far more discreet than older techniques. And there is another paradox: Treating aging earlier and more harmoniously often keeps people more under the radar than waiting until facial aging becomes severe. This is one of the kindest and most down-to-earth patients to have around. The type of person who makes everyone feel comfortable within five minutes. In this patient, a deep plane facelift, neck lift, temporal restoration, an upper blepharoplasty and a tiny amount of tear-through lipofilling were combined to restore one thing above all else: A rested face. #deepplanefacelift #deepplanenecklift #temporalrestoration #blepharoplasty #drvangenechten
View details
If a facelift is obvious, it already failed. Natural has become controversial. The goal of facial rejuvenation is not to make strangers notice surgery. The goal is to make heaviness, descent and tiredness disappear without changing authenticity, without replacing one set of problems with another. Yet social media has conditioned people to expect dramatic cheek volume, pulled corners and “snatched” faces as proof that something was done. That is not proof of quality. Often, it is proof that too much was done in the wrong layer. True rejuvenation is quieter than people think. And precisely for that reason, many underestimate the surgical complexity behind a result like this. Natural should not mean inefficient surgery. Natural should mean invisible surgery. Agree or disagree? #deepplanefaceandnecklift #browlift #blepharoplasty #drvangenechten
If a facelift is obvious, it already failed. Natural has become controversial. The goal of facial rejuvenation is not to make strangers notice surgery. The goal is to make heaviness, descent and tiredness disappear without changing authenticity, without replacing one set of problems with another. Yet social media has conditioned people to expect dramatic cheek volume, pulled corners and “snatched” faces as proof that something was done. That is not proof of quality. Often, it is proof that too much was done in the wrong layer. True rejuvenation is quieter than people think. And precisely for that reason, many underestimate the surgical complexity behind a result like this. Natural should not mean inefficient surgery. Natural should mean invisible surgery. Agree or disagree? #deepplanefaceandnecklift #browlift #blepharoplasty #drvangenechten
View details
Revision facelifts are a different language. Previous surgery by another surgeon left us more than scars. Previous surgery leaves behind altered tension, altered skin reserve, and tissue that has already been repositioned, and partially removed in directions that are not always ideal for future correction. That means one important thing: when trying to restore a face in a more natural vector, there is often less freedom than people assume. Less movable tissue. Less available skin. More scar resistance. More limitations. A revision facelift is therefore not simply “doing another facelift.” It is careful reconstruction of anatomy that no longer behaves normally. It is restoring balance, softness, and natural rejuvenation within those boundaries. Shown here 7 months after deep plane face and neck lift, temporal brow restoration, and upper/lower blepharoplasty and minor fat transfer. Recovery in revision cases is often longer and demands significantly more patience, but meaningful correction is absolutely possible. I focus my practice on facial rejuvenation surgery, and cases like this are exactly where that focused experience becomes critical. At the patient’s request, these images are shared only in an anonymized way. A more extensive portfolio is reviewed privately during consultation. And by the way, beyond all the surgical discussion, she is simply a wonderful woman. Elegant, warm, and full of class. She now walks into a room radiating a softness and confidence that was exactly the goal. #revisionfacelift #deepplanefacelift #deepplanenecklift #drvangenechten
Revision facelifts are a different language. Previous surgery by another surgeon left us more than scars. Previous surgery leaves behind altered tension, altered skin reserve, and tissue that has already been repositioned, and partially removed in directions that are not always ideal for future correction. That means one important thing: when trying to restore a face in a more natural vector, there is often less freedom than people assume. Less movable tissue. Less available skin. More scar resistance. More limitations. A revision facelift is therefore not simply “doing another facelift.” It is careful reconstruction of anatomy that no longer behaves normally. It is restoring balance, softness, and natural rejuvenation within those boundaries. Shown here 7 months after deep plane face and neck lift, temporal brow restoration, and upper/lower blepharoplasty and minor fat transfer. Recovery in revision cases is often longer and demands significantly more patience, but meaningful correction is absolutely possible. I focus my practice on facial rejuvenation surgery, and cases like this are exactly where that focused experience becomes critical. At the patient’s request, these images are shared only in an anonymized way. A more extensive portfolio is reviewed privately during consultation. And by the way, beyond all the surgical discussion, she is simply a wonderful woman. Elegant, warm, and full of class. She now walks into a room radiating a softness and confidence that was exactly the goal. #revisionfacelift #deepplanefacelift #deepplanenecklift #drvangenechten
View details
Discretion & Privacy

Before and after results

Show results

Dr. Van Genechten

Dr. Maarten Van Genechten is entirely dedicated to aesthetic facial surgery, with the face as his absolute specialty. This passion emerged during his medical studies, where he developed his interest in microvascular facial reconstructions. He broadened his expertise during a fellowship in Brisbane, where he was exposed to various surgical disciplines.

This experience led him to a fellowship in aesthetic facial surgery in Sydney, where his interest in facial rejuvenation surgery was born and has never faded since. He now specializes in facial rejuvenation surgery, facelift surgery, brow lifts and eyelid surgery. He is also the owner of the Catershoek Surgical Center.

Read more

Dr. Maarten Van Genechten
Facial Surgery | Dr. Maarten Van Genechten

Schedule your consultation today

Contact us today for a personal consultation with Dr. Van Genechten. During this appointment, he will discuss your specific wishes, expectations and the potential outcomes of a procedure. Dr. Van Genechten takes the time to walk you through every aspect of the procedure and to answer all your questions.

Contact us