Research and Publications

In a field where almost every practice claims to be advanced, Dr. Ben Talei’s work is documented where it counts — in the peer-reviewed surgical literature. His published research on deep plane face, neck, and lip surgery is used to teach surgeons internationally, and it forms the foundation of the techniques performed every day at the Beverly Hills Center for Plastic & Laser Surgery.

For patients, this matters. The procedures offered here are not improvised or rebranded from common methods. They are studied, measured, and refined, then shared openly with the surgical community. The selected publications below are organized by procedure, with a plain-language explanation of what each contributes to patient care. You can also read more about Dr. Talei.

“Publishing your work means putting it in front of your toughest critics. That accountability is exactly what patients deserve.” — Dr. Ben Talei

Lip Lift and Lip Aesthetics

Dr. Talei pioneered the deep plane upper lip lift and has performed one of the largest series of lip lifts documented in the literature, work that became the basis for the Cupid Lift™.

CUPID Lip Lift: Advanced Lip Design Using the Deep Plane Upper Lip Lift and Simplified Corner Lift. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2022 (with Dr. Steven Pearlman). Introduces a precise, repeatable method for designing lip shape and proportion, drawn from a series of more than 2,440 lip lifts, so results look balanced rather than overdone.
The Modified Upper Lip Lift: Advanced Approach With Deep-Plane Release and Secure Suspension — 823-Patient Series. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America, 2019. The foundational paper describing the deeper anatomical release that makes a tension-free, longer-lasting, well-concealed lip lift possible.

Deep Plane Facelift and Facial Rejuvenation

Dr. Talei’s facelift work — including the AuraLyft, performed with his SMART lift technique — is built on his published study of deep plane anatomy and the mechanics of natural repositioning.

The Detailed Anatomy of the Deep Plane of the Face and Neck With Current Nomenclature. Facial Plastic Surgery, 2024. Helped standardize how the field defines the deep tissue layers, establishing a shared anatomical language for safer, more precise surgery.
Vectorial Analysis of Deep Plane Face and Neck Lift. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2024 (with Gould and Ziai). Examines the exact direction of lift that produces a natural elevation of the midface and neck, rather than a stretched or pulled look.
Limited Delamination Modifications to the Extended Deep Plane Rhytidectomy: An Anatomical Basis for Improved Outcomes. Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine, 2024. Refines the technique in the precise layer where aging occurs, with a focus on improving safety and results.
Three-Dimensional Analysis of Long-Term Midface Volume Change After Vertical Vector Deep-Plane Rhytidectomy. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2015. Demonstrates how a vertical vector deep plane lift restores and sustains midface volume over time — often without the need for fillers or fat.

Neck Lift

Dr. Talei’s contributions to deep plane neck lifting inform the facelift and neck procedures performed at the center, including his minimal-incision Weekend Lift.

The Mastoid Crevasse and 3-Dimensional Considerations in Deep Plane Neck Lifting. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2024. Describes a three-dimensional refinement for defining the deep neckline and jaw angle, a signature element of his neck lift technique.
Vertical Neck Lifting. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America, 2014. An early contribution to the principle of vertical repositioning in the neck that continues to shape his approach today.

Techniques Pioneered by Dr. Talei

Across this body of work, several innovations originated with or were advanced by Dr. Talei:

The Deep Plane Upper Lip Lift: The foundational lip technique that became the Cupid Lift™ and its Cupid design.
The AuraLyft (SMART Lift Technique): A comprehensive, vertical-vector deep plane facelift that repositions the midface, jawline, and neck together.
The Mastoid Crevasse: A three-dimensional refinement for sculpting the deep neckline in facelift and neck lift surgery.
The Simplified Corner Lift: A method for elevating the corners of the mouth as part of a complete lip design.

Teaching and Peer Recognition

Dr. Talei serves as an International Professor of facial plastic surgery at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León in Monterrey, Mexico, and sits on the editorial board of Modern Aesthetics magazine. He is a frequent invited speaker at national meetings, has produced a comprehensive instructional video series used to teach deep plane technique, and regularly hosts visiting surgeons from around the world at the Beverly Hills Center to share his methods.

Schedule a Consultation in Beverly Hills

Choosing a surgeon who has studied and published the techniques he performs offers a level of confidence that marketing cannot. To discuss your goals with Dr. Ben Talei, patients throughout Los Angeles can request a consultation at the Beverly Hills Center for Plastic & Laser Surgery.