The understanding of cervicofacial anatomy, and of the physiologic and anatomic changes that occur with the aging process, has vastly increased over the past three to four decades. This knowledge has led to more logical approaches to face-lift surgery. Vastly different than most other surgical domains, cervicofacial rhytidectomy is a cosmetic procedure. Face-lift surgery is driven not just by the ultimate result, but also by patient-driven economic factors of cost and recovery time. General resistance by patients to what they perceive as more invasive procedures often also plays a significant role in planning procedures.