Kris Jenner knows how to keep people talking. In 2025, the world’s most famous “momager” wasn’t just making headlines for her business empire or red-carpet appearances, she was sparking speculation about her new face. Fans and beauty experts alike piled into social media threads, asking: Did Kris go under the knife again? Are we looking at a perfectly executed facelift? Or is her radiant, youthful glow simply the result of expert filler work?
After weeks of buzz, Kris finally said it herself in late August: she had a facelift “refresh” this year with New York surgeon Dr. Steven Levine, a tune‑up about 15 years after her first lift. She framed it simply: do what makes you feel like your best self.
That one confirmation kicked off a bigger question people keep asking their surgeons here in Seattle: when does a facelift make sense, and when can fillers do the job? Let’s unpack the difference, using this celebrity moment to explain, what each option really does and how doctors choose.
What Has Kris Confirmed?
Kris confirmed the surgery and the surgeon. Beauty and pop‑culture outlets reported it as a deep‑plane facelift, citing reps and follow‑up coverage, some surgeons online pointed to a possible SMAS or hybrid approach. Here’s the honest truth: great results come from matching the method to the person, not from chasing a trend. Both deep‑plane and SMAS lifts are proven ways to restore the lower face and neck when done well. Recent reviews and meta‑analyses show high satisfaction across both approaches with comparable safety, even if studies measure outcomes differently.
Facelift: The Surgical Reset
When people talk about facelifts, they’re really talking about surgery that repositions what time and gravity have shifted. Instead of just tightening the skin, a facelift works on the deeper support layers of the face. That means jowls, sagging along the jawline, and loose skin in the neck can all be lifted and refined in one procedure. Surgeons also remove any extra skin, so the result looks smoother and cleaner. It’s not permanent, as aging never stops but most patients enjoy the benefits for around 10 to 15 years, depending on their skin quality and overall health. This is why celebrities like Kris turn to a facelift when fillers and skincare can’t quite keep up anymore.
Fillers: The Subtle Boost
Fillers are injectable treatments used to restore lost volume and improve facial contours. They are commonly placed in areas such as the cheeks, nasolabial folds, lips, and chin. The goal is to smooth lines, enhance shape, and bring back definition that naturally decreases with age. Unlike surgery, fillers do not address loose skin or sagging tissues, so they are not effective for treating jowls or neck laxity. Results are temporary, with most hyaluronic acid fillers lasting between 6 and 18 months, and certain products in the cheek area lasting up to 24 months. Treatments can be repeated to maintain results, and many patients use them as a way to make subtle improvements without undergoing an operation.
So which facelift are people arguing about?
Once you understand the basic difference between a facelift and fillers, the next question is usually, “Okay, but what kind of facelift are we talking about?” That’s where much of the online conversation has focused. Reports mention both deep-plane and SMAS facelifts, which has left people wondering what these terms actually mean. Here’s how surgeons typically explain the main approaches:
- A deep-plane facelift goes beneath the SMAS layer and lifts the midface, jawline, and neck together. It’s known for natural motion and long-lasting support, making it a go-to for more advanced laxity.
- A SMAS facelift tightens and repositions the SMAS itself. Variations exist, but the goal is the same: reshaping the support layer to restore jawline and lower-face definition. It remains one of the most trusted options.
- A mini or short-scar facelift is less invasive, with smaller incisions and quicker recovery. It can improve early laxity but isn’t designed to fix significant neck sagging.
- A lower facelift with neck lift combines jawline work with tightening of the platysma muscle, fat adjustment, and skin redraping. This is often the choice for patients wanting sharper jaw-neck contours.
Why the confusion online? Deep‑plane has gone viral, while SMAS never actually went away. In reality, both can achieve excellent, natural outcomes. The choice depends less on the name of the procedure and more on matching the proper method to a patient’s anatomy and goals.
Why does Kris’s result look “different” than older celebrity lifts?
Modern facelifts rely less on pulling skin and more on repositioning deep support. That is why well‑done results look undramatic and natural in motion. Another shift: surgeons today are much more conservative with filler after a lift. Instead of layering filler to “fake” lift (which can look puffy over time), they rebuild structure surgically, then add small, strategic volumes later, if needed. And yes, some elite, high‑profile lifts can cost well into six figures, especially in NYC’s luxury practices, which fuels the media attention.
Facelift vs. Fillers: How Do You Choose?
Seattle surgeons caution that it’s not about picking which procedure is “better”, it’s about matching the treatment to each patient’s needs.
A facelift might be right if you have:
- Jowls and skin laxity that obscure the jawline.
- Vertical neck bands, neck fullness, or “turkey neck”.
- Prior filler that no longer helps contour (or looks overdone).
You might consider fillers if you have:
- Mild volume loss, good skin tone, and a straight jawline
- You want fast results with no downtime.
- You’re optimizing between big events, not seeking structural change.
But here’s the best part: These treatments are complementary. Many patients use fillers in their 30s and 40s, then transition to a facelift in their 50s or 60s, with fillers continuing to enhance areas post-surgery. This combination provides balance and prevents that flat, mask-like facelift look of the past.
Final word
Kris Jenner’s “new face” is less about a magic brand‑name technique and more about choosing the right operation for the right face plus meticulous execution. Fillers still have a place, but when the jawline and neck need real lifting, a well‑planned facelift does what injectables can’t. Seattle experts highlight the importance of choosing a surgeon who won’t just copycat celebrity aesthetics but will customize techniques to enhance your unique facial features.
Consult with Seattle’s Leading Cosmetic Surgeon
You don’t need to be a celebrity to enjoy natural, confidence-boosting results. At Allure Esthetic in Seattle, Dr. Javad Sajan specializes in facelifts and injectables tailored to your unique features so your outcome looks like you, only refreshed.
Call (206) 209-0988 today or request a consultation online to get started.