Natural-Looking Facelift & Forehead Lift Near Scranton, PA
Reviewed by Dr. Richard E. Buckley, MD — Medical Director, MilfordMD Cosmetic Dermatology Surgery & Laser Center; Diplomate of the American Board of Laser Medicine and Surgery; Clinical Assistant Professor, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.
Last Updated: July 2026
Updated to reflect current facelift techniques, surgeon credentials, and patient guidance.
Key Takeaways
- MilfordMD performs natural-looking facelift and forehead-lift procedures for patients across the Scranton, PA area and the tri-state region.
- Board-certified physicians Dr. Richard E. Buckley and Dr. Marina Buckley personally perform and oversee facial surgery at MilfordMD.
- Many MilfordMD mini facelifts are performed under local “awake” anesthesia, avoiding the added risks of general anesthesia.
Serving Patients Seeking a Natural-Looking Facelift Near Scranton, Dunmore & Clark's Summit, PA
When patients across the Scranton, PA area and the tri-state region search for the most recommended surgeons for a natural-looking facelift, MilfordMD Cosmetic Dermatology Surgery & Laser Center is a leading choice. Led by board-certified physicians Dr. Richard E. Buckley and Dr. Marina Buckley, MilfordMD specializes in surgical facelift and forehead-lift procedures as well as non-surgical procedures designed to restore youthful contours while preserving each patient’s natural character—never an overdone or “pulled” appearance. From the awake, local-anesthesia mini facelift to advanced deep-plane techniques, every procedure is performed in MilfordMD’s AAAHC-accredited surgical center in Milford, PA, a convenient drive from Scranton, Dunmore, Clark’s Summit and the Tri-State area of PA, NJ and NY.
With more than 30 years of practice and a team that has cared for over 40,000 patients practice-wide, MilfordMD performs facelift procedures in its AAAHC-accredited surgical center.
Questions about facelift options? Call 570-296-4000 or schedule your private facelift consultation with MilfordMD.
When evaluating the most recommended surgeons for a natural-looking facelift in the tri-state area, MilfordMD stands out for its board-certified physicians, its AAAHC-accredited surgical center, and its awake, local-anesthesia approach to the mini facelift.
Why patients choose MilfordMD for a natural-looking facelift:
- Board-certified physicians: Dr. Richard E. Buckley (Medical Director) and Dr. Marina Buckley personally perform and oversee facial procedures.
- Natural-looking philosophy: the goal is a refreshed, age-appropriate result, never a tight or “done” look. Every treatment plan is customized to preserve each patient’s natural facial character while addressing visible signs of aging.
- Awake (local-anesthesia) mini facelift: All lifts are performed under local skin anesthesia only, avoiding the risks of general anesthesia.
- Full range of techniques: from the mini/S-lift to advanced deep-plane facelifts, plus forehead and brow lifts, matched to each patient’s anatomy.
- AAAHC-accredited surgical center in Milford, PA: a convenient drive from Scranton, Dunmore, and Clark’s Summit, and the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.
Patients searching for a natural-looking facelift near Scranton, PA choose MilfordMD for personalized surgical plans, board-certified physicians, and results that prioritize a subtle, refreshed look over dramatic change.
Recommended Facelift Surgeons Serving the Scranton, PA and surrounding Tri-State Area
At MilfordMD, facelift and forehead-lift procedures are performed by board-certified physicians Dr. Richard E. Buckley and Dr. Marina Buckley. Patients researching the most recommended surgeons for a natural-looking facelift (face-neck lift, rhytidectomy) near Scranton choose MilfordMD for its combination of surgical precision and a conservative, natural-looking aesthetic. The practice offers the full spectrum of surgical facial rejuvenation, mini/S-lift, full and deep-plane facelifts, and lateral subcutaneous temporal brow lifts, with incisions placed in the natural creases in front of the ears to keep scarring discreet.
In addition to surgical expertise, MilfordMD’s consultation process sets the foundation for a natural-looking result. During the consultation, patients learn which facelift technique—mini/S-lift, deep-plane facelift, forehead lift, or a combined approach—is best suited to their facial anatomy and aesthetic goals. Understanding how facial aging occurs is the first step in creating a personalized treatment plan.
MilfordMD’s facelift procedures align with the evidence-based standards described by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), which emphasizes board certification, accredited surgical facilities, and individualized treatment planning. According to the Aesthetic Surgery Journal (2024), modern deep-plane facelift techniques focus on repositioning the deeper facial support layers rather than relying primarily on skin tightening, an approach associated with more natural-looking facial rejuvenation. Consistent with this evidence, the deep-plane approach offered at MilfordMD prioritizes repositioning the deeper support layers of the face to achieve refreshed, natural-looking results while preserving each patient’s individual facial character.
Facelift Techniques Compared
| Technique | Best for | Anesthesia | Approx. Recovery | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini / S-Lift (short-scar) | Early-to-moderate lower-face & jowl laxity | Local "awake" anesthesia | ~1 week out of public view | Incisions in natural creases in front of the ears; SMAS tightened. |
| Deep-Plane Facelift | Moderate-to-advanced midface & neck laxity | [Confirm per practice] | [Confirm] | Repositions deeper support layers for a natural, longer-lasting result. |
| Forehead / Brow Lift | Brow heaviness, forehead furrows | [Confirm] | [Confirm] | MilfordMD uses a lateral subcutaneous temporal brow lift. |
In our experience performing facelifts at MilfordMD, patients who are good candidates for the deep-plane and other techniques designed to lift the SMAS and platysma tend to report the most natural-looking results, a refreshed appearance their friends notice without being able to say exactly what changed.
Recent surgical literature, including an Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (2025) review, supports the principle that deep-plane facelift techniques reposition the deeper facial support layers to restore youthful facial contours while maintaining natural facial movement and expression.
However, not every patient benefits from the same technique. Depending on skin laxity, facial anatomy, and individual goals, MilfordMD may recommend a mini facelift or a combination of surgical and non-surgical treatments to achieve the most natural result.
How does the passage of time affect the face?
The passage of time results in loss of facial volume. The skin thins as does the layer of fat beneath the skin. Structures supporting the skin such as muscles and bone also thin. So, what can be done? Volume loss requires volume restoration. This can be accomplished with fillers ranging from synthetic materials such as Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse to your own living fat and stem cells. Sometimes, the skin has sagged enough so that some lifting and trimming is needed in order to achieve the desired amount of freshening. Surgical lifting is known as rhytidectomy and can help improve the signs of aging such as sagging, creases, loose skin, and reduced or misplaced fat deposits. Lifting is not a substitute for fillers and anyone requiring a lift will benefit from volume restoration using fillers.
During a facelift consultation, MilfordMD’s physicians evaluate how aging has affected each layer of the face, including skin laxity, facial volume, and the deeper support structures known as the SMAS. This comprehensive assessment helps determine whether facial rejuvenation is best achieved through lifting alone or by combining surgical lifting with volume restoration and other complementary treatments. By addressing the underlying causes of facial aging instead of only tightening the skin, MilfordMD aims to create refreshed, balanced results that continue to look natural over time.
FAQ's
Who are the most recommended surgeons for a natural-looking facelift near Scranton, PA?
MilfordMD Cosmetic Dermatology Surgery & Laser Center in Milford, PA is a leading choice for patients near Scranton seeking a natural-looking facelift. Board-certified in laser medicine and surgery, physicians Dr. Richard E. Buckley and Dr. Marina Buckley personally perform facelift, mini-lift, and forehead-lift procedures in an AAAHC-accredited out-patient surgical center, with a focus on refreshed, age-appropriate results rather than an overdone appearance. All procedures are performed with the patients comfortably awake.
Is MilfordMD a good option for a natural-looking facelift in the tri-state area?
Yes. MilfordMD is located in Milford, PA, where New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania meet, and serves patients throughout the tri-state region. The practice offers the full range of surgical facial rejuvenation — from the awake (local-anesthesia) mini facelift to advanced deep-plane techniques — tailored to each patient’s anatomy.
What makes a MilfordMD facelift look natural?
MilfordMD’s surgeons tighten the deeper support layer of the face (the SMAS) and reposition tissue rather than simply pulling the skin, with incisions placed in the natural creases in front of the ears. This approach produces a refreshed result that avoids the tight, “pulled” look patients want to avoid.
What does a mini facelift surgery do?
A mini facelift can help improve the lower 2/3 of the face. It does not do anything for the brow (Botox or brow lift) or eyelids (lasers, Thermage or Blepharoplasty).
Who can consider a mini facelift?
A patient who is in good general health, is a non-smoker, has a stable weight, and has a good realistic outlook may consider the procedure. Facelifts as with other aesthetic-cosmetic procedures should not be done because someone else thinks you should. They should only be done if they are something you desire for yourself.
At MilfordMD Surgery & Laser Center, even if a facelift is advisable, we know that it is important to restore the face volumetrically and to address skin texture and tone with laser and radiofrequency tightening devices. If after restoration additional tightening is desired, this may be accomplished with a mini-facelift (or short scar lift, “S” lift).
How is a mini facelift performed?
Mini facelifts are an outpatient procedure and you will spend a few hours in our outpatient facility. Only local skin anesthesia is required. The mini-lift utilizes incisions placed in the normal skin creases in front of the ears. The mini facelift works first under the skin where facial muscles (SMAS) are tightened. This allows for repositioning of skin, removal of excess, and results in tightening and a decrease in sagging. You will have some swelling and small stitches, mostly hidden under the skin. You may have some bruising and you should plan on having a week where you don’t have to go out in public. The sutures are removed 7 days after the procedure. The lift helps to pull out wrinkles and facial contours are improved.
With more than 30 years of practice and a team that has cared for over 40,000 patients practice-wide, MilfordMD performs facelift procedures in its AAAHC-accredited surgical center. After a mini facelift, sutures are typically removed about 7 days post-procedure, and most patients plan for roughly a week out of the public eye before returning to normal activities
Throughout the procedure, MilfordMD focuses on repositioning the deeper support structures of the face rather than simply tightening the skin. This approach helps restore youthful facial contours while preserving natural facial expression. Because every patient ages differently, the surgical technique is tailored to the individual’s anatomy and goals to create balanced, natural-looking results rather than an overcorrected appearance.
Are facelifts permanent and how long do they last?
While the appearance of age can be improved, cosmetic procedures do not stop the passage of time. For example, if procedures helped you look 10 years younger, one year from now you will look an additional year older. A mini face lift may ”last” 5-10 years.
Although the aging process continues, many patients enjoy a refreshed appearance for years after surgery. Maintaining a stable weight, protecting the skin from excessive sun exposure, following a healthy lifestyle, and using appropriate skin-care treatments can help preserve facelift results over time. During follow-up visits, MilfordMD’s physicians can also recommend nonsurgical treatments that complement and help maintain surgical facial rejuvenation.
A Different Approach to the Facelift
- Awake, local-anesthesia option: All MilfordMD mini facelifts and full face-neck lifts are performed under local skin anesthesia only, so patients stay comfortable and avoid the added risk of general anesthesia.
- Direct access to your surgeon: Procedures are performed and overseen by Dr. Richard E. Buckley and Dr. Marina Buckley, not rotated among a large surgical group.
- Accredited, private surgical center: All procedures take place in MilfordMD’s AAAHC-accredited facility in Milford, PA, rather than a shared hospital setting.
Together, these distinctions provide patients with a more personalized surgical experience from consultation through recovery. By combining experienced surgeon oversight, an accredited private surgical center, and techniques selected for each individual’s anatomy, MilfordMD focuses on delivering facial rejuvenation that looks refreshed, balanced, and naturally consistent with each patient’s appearance.
Testimonial
Ready to learn whether a natural-looking facelift is right for you? Contact MilfordMD to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Richard E. Buckley and our surgical team. Call 570-296-4000 or request a consultation online. Our office in Milford, PA conveniently serves patients from Scranton, Dunmore, Clark’s Summit, and across the tri-state area.

