Face Lab FAQ

A fascia facelift is a non-surgical facial lifting technique that targets the fascial layer — the connective tissue beneath the skin — to release tension, restore structural lift, and sculpt the face naturally. Unlike conventional facials that only address the skin surface, a fascia facelift corrects the root cause of structural aging: the tightening and downward pull of the fascial scaffolding. The result is an immediate, visible lift and de-puffing that reshapes the face from the inside out.

Tamara's signature Fascia FaceLIFT uses precise manual techniques to release fascial adhesions in the face — areas where the connective tissue has become stuck, tight, and pulling the skin downward. By systematically releasing these restrictions, the face is physically lifted and reshaped, lymphatic drainage is activated to reduce puffiness, and circulation is restored to bring a natural glow. The technique also stimulates collagen production, delivering both immediate and progressive results.

The Signature Fascia FaceLIFT (1 hour 15 min, $275) is a comprehensive session that lifts, sculpts, and restores the face naturally without surgery or needles. It releases facial fascial tension, stimulates collagen, activates lymphatic drainage, and visibly defines the cheeks, jawline, and overall facial structure. Clients consistently report an immediately lifted, de-puffed, and more radiant appearance — many comparing the result to looking years younger after just one session.

The Deluxe Fascia FaceLIFT (2 hours, $527) is the ultimate facial transformation session, combining the Signature FaceLIFT with FaceFIRM RF technology in a single extended appointment. This dual-protocol approach both lifts the facial structure through fascial release and firms the skin at a deep collagen level through radiofrequency technology — producing an exceptionally comprehensive result in one session. It is ideal for clients seeking maximum visible transformation.

FaceFIRM RF ($297) uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to penetrate the deep layers of the skin and stimulate the body's natural collagen and elastin production. The controlled thermal energy causes immediate collagen tightening and triggers long-term collagen remodeling over the following 8–12 weeks. The result is firmer, tighter, more lifted skin with improved elasticity — without any injections, surgery, or downtime. It is ideal for sagging jaw lines, loose neck skin, and loss of definition.

PlasmaPEN is a state-of-the-art skin resurfacing technology that uses ionized plasma energy to contract, tighten, and resurface skin in targeted areas. It works by creating controlled micro-points on the skin surface that stimulate fibroblast cells — the collagen-producing factories of the skin — to significantly tighten and shrink the treated area. It is highly effective for crow's feet, smile lines, heavy eyelids, and areas where surgery has traditionally been the only option.

PlasmaPEN treats targeted areas that are notoriously difficult to improve without surgery, including crow's feet, smile lines and nasolabial folds, the upper and lower face, hooded or drooping upper eyelids, under-eye hollows, the neck, and the jawline. Three treatment levels are offered: Targeted Refresh for specific problem areas like crow's feet or smile lines, Upper or Lower Face Lift, and Full Face Lift — each addressing progressively larger treatment zones.

PlasmaPEN is a safe, well-established fibroblasting technology when performed by a trained expert. At Tamara Renee's Face Lab, numbing time is included in the session to ensure your comfort throughout the treatment. Some clients describe a mild prickling sensation in the days following, but the procedure itself is performed on numbed skin. The healing process involves small micro-crusts forming and naturally flaking off over approximately 5–7 days, revealing visibly tightened skin beneath.

Microneedling is an advanced collagen-induction therapy that uses a medical-grade device to create thousands of controlled micro-channels in the skin. These micro-injuries trigger the body's natural healing response — specifically, a surge in collagen and elastin production — which smooths, firms, and resurfaces the skin over the following 4–12 weeks. Tamara uses a premium, FDA-cleared medical-grade microneedling device and applies a high-quality topical numbing cream beforehand for virtually painless treatment.

No — microneedling at Tamara Renee's Face Lab is virtually painless because a high-quality topical numbing cream is applied before the session begins. Once the numbing cream is fully effective, most clients report feeling only a mild vibration or warmth during treatment. The post-treatment phase may involve 24–48 hours of mild redness similar to a sunburn, which typically resolves quickly and requires minimal care.

Traditional facials work exclusively on the surface layer of the skin — cleansing, exfoliating, hydrating, and applying topical serums. They do not address the fascial tissue, structural lift, or lymphatic drainage. The Fascia FaceLIFT goes several layers deeper, releasing the connective tissue that physically holds the face in its shape. This produces a structural change — a genuine remodeling of the facial architecture — that no topical product or surface treatment can achieve.

They operate on fundamentally different philosophies. Botox temporarily paralyzes facial muscles to smooth expression lines, but does nothing for sagging skin, lost volume, or structural decline. The Fascia FaceLIFT restores the structural integrity of the face by rehabilitating your own collagen, elastin, and fascial scaffolding. Results improve progressively over time rather than diminishing, your face retains natural movement and expression, and there are no neurotoxins introduced into your system.

Fillers artificially inflate areas of the face with synthetic hyaluronic acid or other substances — an approach that can create an overdone or pillow-like appearance over time and does nothing to address the underlying structural decline. Tamara Renee's treatments restore your own tissue's collagen, elastin, and fascial integrity — producing a lifted, defined result that looks genuinely natural because it is your own biology doing the work.

Yes — jowling is one of the primary signs of structural aging that fascia work directly addresses. Jowls develop when the fascial sling that supports the lower face — particularly the SMAS layer and the facial ligaments — weakens and allows the tissue to descend. By releasing the tight fascial restrictions that pull downward and restoring the lifting tone of the facial fascia, Tamara's Fascia FaceLIFT visibly lifts and redefines the jawline, often producing a striking improvement in jowl appearance within a series of sessions.

Facial sagging has three primary structural causes: the gradual breakdown of collagen and elastin, the dehydration and tightening of the facial fascia (which physically pulls the skin downward over time), and the reduction of lymphatic circulation. UV exposure, stress, poor nutrition, and hormonal changes accelerate all three processes. Tamara's treatments address all three root causes simultaneously.

Lymphatic drainage of the face reduces the fluid retention and inflammation that cause puffiness, dullness, and a heavy or bloated facial appearance. When the lymphatic vessels in the face are working efficiently, toxins are cleared, circulation is improved, and the skin becomes visibly more luminous and defined.

Yes — significantly. TMJ dysfunction and chronic jaw tension are largely the result of fascial tightness and restriction in the masseter, pterygoid, and surrounding facial muscles. Fascia FaceLIFT techniques that release the jaw's fascial restrictions not only reduce TMJ pain and clicking but also have the aesthetic benefit of slimming and defining the jaw.

This depends on your treatment and goals. The Fascia FaceLIFT and FaceFIRM deliver visible results from a single session, with progressive improvements from a consistent series. For deeper collagen remodeling with MicroNEEDLE or PlasmaPEN, a curated series of 3–6 sessions is typically recommended, spaced appropriately to allow collagen building.

Downtime depends on the specific treatment. The Fascia FaceLIFT and FaceFIRM are true zero-downtime procedures — you can return to your day immediately. MicroNEEDLE may produce mild redness for 24–48 hours. PlasmaPEN requires the most healing time: small micro-crusts form and naturally flake off over approximately 5–7 days.

They operate on fundamentally different philosophies. Botox temporarily paralyzes facial muscles to smooth expression lines, but does nothing for sagging skin, lost volume, or structural decline — and requires injections every 3–4 months indefinitely. The Fascia FaceLIFT restores the structural integrity of the face by rehabilitating your own collagen, elastin, and fascial scaffolding. Results improve progressively over time rather than diminishing, your face retains natural movement and expression, and there are no neurotoxins introduced into your system.

Tamara Renee is a nationally recognized pioneer in holistic, fascia-based facial restoration — featured in TODAY, NBC, Fox 5, Goop, ESSENCE, and more. Her decades of expertise span fascia science, lymphatic therapy, advanced aesthetic technologies, and personalized wellness. Unlike standard med spas, every treatment at Face Lab is customized to your unique tissue, and every session leaves you more educated about your own biology. Clients from across San Diego and the country choose Tamara because her results speak for themselves.