In today's active society and demanding workplace, patients are frequently searching for less invasive procedures with diminished morbidity and more rapid healing to address their cosmetic concerns. The goal of face-lift surgery is to reverse the effects of aging by removing excess skin of the lower face and neck with concomitant repositioning of the deeper ptotic tissues. Recent advances in understanding facial anatomy and aging have resulted in the development of new procedures that can achieve these goals with more limited surgery. As increasingly younger patients present for early restorative procedures, it is imperative that surgeons have alternative options within their armamentarium to achieve success. This article reviews the current trends in face-lift surgery, particularly the small incision face-lift.