A dermatologist’s guide to a snatched face
The idea of a “snatched” face with lifted cheekbones, a sharp jawline, and that effortlessly sculpted profile has become something of a beauty obsession. But as I quickly learned, it isn’t just about contour sticks and clever camera angles.
According to Dra. Jennie Francisco-Diaz, founder of Skin 101, the secret to definition that actually lasts has far more to do with daily habits, supportive skincare, and a few smart treatments than it does with makeup tricks alone.
The everyday habits that shape our face
As Dra. Francisco-Diaz explains to me, some of the biggest contributors to puffiness and sagging are the things we barely notice in our everyday routines. Even how you sleep can change the way your face looks the next morning.
Spend the night face-down or on your side and you’ll likely wake up with fluid pooled around the eyes and cheeks. Sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated, however, and you’re far more likely to rise with a smoother, fresher-looking face.
Food has just as much influence. A week of salty snacks, instant noodles, or cocktails will show up around the jawline, whereas meals filled with berries, leafy greens, salmon, and nuts have the opposite effect, calming inflammation and leaving skin more refined.
And then there’s water—the most ordinary beauty secret—yet the one so often overlooked. Not drinking enough water doesn’t slim you down; it does the opposite, leaving the face puffier as the body clings to every last drop.
A skincare secret that lasts
Skincare, of course, can help support the structure of the skin and keep things looking firm. Retinoids, peptides, and vitamin C all work behind the scenes to encourage collagen and elasticity.
At home, there’s also the ritual of facial massages with gua sha stones, rollers, or even a good pair of hands that can ease puffiness and instantly make the face look slimmer. The effect may not last forever, but when paired with good sleep and a balanced diet, it’s a small luxury that makes a visible difference.
But when it comes to in-clinic options, Ulthera is often the treatment that dermatologists highlight first. Known for using focused ultrasound to reach the skin’s deeper layers, it has earned its reputation as a gold standard in non-surgical lifting.
Now, there’s Ulthera Prime—the new generation of the treatment that I was able to try myself. What sets it apart is that it’s noticeably more comfortable. I would honestly rate it around a four out of ten on the pain scale, which is far more tolerable than the stories I’d heard about earlier versions.
Beyond comfort, it’s also far more customizable. Depending on your concerns, your doctor can adjust the settings to target specific goals—whether that’s more lifting through the cheeks and jawline or slimming along areas that tend to hold puffiness. This personalization makes the treatment feel tailored, almost like a couture approach to facial contouring, designed to give you exactly the refinement you’re after.
The beauty of it lies in the fact that there’s no downtime; you can walk out of the clinic with makeup on and head straight to dinner. Results continue to improve for two to three months and can last more than a year, making it a long-lasting complement to daily care.
Building beauty that lasts
Ulthera Prime also pairs beautifully with other non-invasive treatments for even more refined results. Belotero can smooth fine lines and add subtle volume, while Radiesse works to stimulate collagen for firmer, bouncier skin. Botox, especially in the masseter muscles, can soften and slim the jawline, while Deusaderm is a favorite for restoring volume under the eyes and brightening dark circles, giving the face a fresher, more rested look.
When used in harmony, these treatments create balance and definition without ever tipping into the territory of looking “overdone.”
What I came to realize is that a truly snatched face isn’t the result of one miracle procedure. It’s built gradually through small choices like how you rest, what you eat, the products you trust and supported by professional treatments that can take results to the next level.
While Ulthera Prime provides that deeper, longer-lasting lift, its power is magnified when combined with thoughtful habits. The end result is definition that feels natural, sculpted, and sustainable—a beauty philosophy rather than a quick fix.
