By Jia Lissa 
Over the summer, a plastic surgeon hung old movie stills of Denise Richards on his operating room wall. There she was in Stormship Troopers, blue-eyed with the kind of bold brows and piecey layers that defined the ’90s. In a way, she defined the ’90s. Richards was a sex symbol in a decade that absolutely idolized sex symbols, the star of Wild Things, a Bond girl, and also had cameos on almost every era-defining show—Seinfeld, Beverly Hills 90210, Saved by the Bell, Melrose Place, Married… with Children. But back to that OR. Fast-forward about 30 years to this past June, and Richards, at age 54, had decided to get a facelift.
"I wanted to put things back up, where they were before," says Richards, who’s had about eight months now to reflect on her decision. It’s not the first time she has had plastic surgery—Richards had her breasts done at 19, and has had revision surgery for her implants since then. But, she says, it is the first time she’s had cosmetic surgery on her face. "I was terrified," says Richards, well aware that the world has watched her age. "Being in the public eye since my 20s, people know what I look like—a facelift is not something that I could hide."
Now Richards is opening up about her plastic surgery the way the rest of us talk about what we did Tuesday morning. She is matter-of-fact and unapologetic, discussing incisions, drains, and swelling. She’s sitting at home in front of scattered framed photographs, subtly made up with her long hair swept over one shoulder, and her daughter’s cat occasionally popping up into our Zoom. Richards is now best known for her roles on reality TV—she’s been on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and had her own shows, including Denise Richards and Her Wild Things. Talking to her post-facelift, though, it’s hard not to think of her in the aughts, when she was in the news for her marriage, pregnancies, and divorce from actor Charlie Sheen—because she just looks so much like her younger self.
"It is night and day," Richards says of her reflection before and after the facelift. "It’s shocking, actually." After she had the facelift, she adds, other celebrities “were more comfortable telling me about theirs, but I’m not gonna name names.” Still, she says, it can be good to know that “it’s not just serums and working out and lasers” that make people like her look younger.
A Candid Conversation About Cosmetic Enhancement
Denise Richards, a prominent figure in Hollywood for decades, has recently broken her silence on undergoing a comprehensive facelift. The actress and reality television personality, known for her roles in iconic ’90s films and her subsequent foray into reality TV, shared intimate details about her decision, the surgical process, and her recovery in an exclusive interview. Her candor offers a rare glimpse into the motivations and experiences behind such a significant cosmetic procedure.
Richards, who rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has been a constant presence in the public eye. Her career milestones include memorable roles in Wild Things and as a Bond girl in The World Is Not Enough. Throughout her career, her appearance has been a subject of public interest, a reality she acknowledges is both a privilege and a pressure. At 54, Richards decided to address the visible signs of aging through a facelift, a procedure she had previously expressed reservations about undertaking.
The Genesis of a Decision
The decision to undergo a facelift was not made lightly. Richards explained that she had been contemplating the procedure for approximately two years, wrestling with the idea of altering her face, which she considers her professional asset. "I’m one who says ‘never say never,’ but I always said I would never get a facelift, because that’s my face. This is how I make my money," she stated. However, the visible changes in her appearance, particularly her neck, which she likened to her late mother’s "turkey neck," prompted her to reconsider. The idea of "putting things back up, where they were before" became a compelling motivation.
Richards’ previous cosmetic procedures have primarily focused on breast augmentation, starting at age 19, and subsequent revision surgeries. However, this marked her first significant intervention on her facial structure. "I was terrified," she admitted, acutely aware of the public’s familiarity with her evolving appearance. The public nature of her career meant that any noticeable change would be scrutinized.
A Multi-Faceted Approach to Rejuvenation
The procedure performed by Dr. Ben Talei, whom Richards affectionately calls "Dr. Ben," was more extensive than a standard facelift. Dr. Talei employed a combination of techniques to achieve a natural yet significantly refreshed look. Beyond the facelift itself, the procedures included:
- Temporal Brow Lift: To address the position of her eyebrows and create a more lifted and alert appearance.
- Upper Blepharoplasty: A conservative procedure to remove excess skin from the upper eyelids, further brightening the eyes.
- Lip Lift: To elevate the outer corners of her mouth, aiming for a "happier and sexier" expression.
- Fat Grafting: Utilizing Richards’ own fat, harvested from her thighs and meticulously reinjected into her face and neck. This technique aimed to restore lost volume, improve skin texture, and enhance overall radiance. Dr. Talei described this as creating a "yellow paste" of microfat and platelet-rich plasma for injection, which he noted made her thighs more sore than her face.
Richards granted Dr. Talei considerable artistic license, stating, "You’re the artist. Whatever you want to do." This trust underscores her desire for a comprehensive rejuvenation that addressed multiple areas of concern. The before-and-after photos presented by Dr. Talei during her consultations were pivotal in solidifying her decision, revealing to her the extent of the changes she desired.
The Surgical Experience and Recovery
The decision to proceed with the facelift was influenced by a prior breast surgery performed by Dr. Rob Cohen, who practices in the same office as Dr. Talei. While waiting for her breast surgery consultation, Richards observed a monitor displaying Dr. Talei’s facelift before-and-after results, which impressed her with their natural outcomes. This initial exposure led to her consultation with Dr. Talei.
She underwent the facelift procedure just three weeks after her breast surgery, a choice driven by the availability of time off work and a desire to avoid prolonged deliberation that might lead to second thoughts. "If I thought about it too long, I may have changed my mind. I would’ve gotten scared," she confessed.
The surgical morning brought its own set of reflections. Richards humorously recalled the moment Dr. Talei mentioned his childhood experience with sewing, realizing with a jolt that he would be "sewing my face." The markings on her face also caused a moment of apprehension, but the eventual results dispelled any lingering doubts.
The immediate aftermath involved a head wrap and drains, which she described as being like an "ace bandage wrapped to protect my ears" and "two drains on top of my head." However, the discomfort was manageable. Dr. Talei removed the wrap and drains the following morning, and Richards reported minimal pain in her face and neck. The incisions, strategically placed within her hairline and behind her ear, are now imperceptible, a testament to Dr. Talei’s surgical skill.
Richards spent a week at a dedicated plastic surgery recovery center, availing herself of amenities like red light therapy, hyperbaric chambers, and lymphatic massages, all designed to expedite healing and reduce swelling. She noted the efficiency of the recovery process, expressing surprise at her rapid healing with minimal bruising and swelling. The brow lift, she indicated, was the most painful aspect, causing a distinct headache, though she opted against pain medication. Numbness around the ears was a temporary side effect, with sensation gradually returning over several months.
Public Reaction and Personal Reflections
Richards’ openness about her facelift has garnered significant attention. She shared that she revealed the procedure on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills shortly after her recovery, stating, "Yeah, no, I did the whole thing." This blunt honesty surprised her castmates and the production team, as cosmetic procedures are often a topic of hushed discussion within the industry.
Her ex-husband, Charlie Sheen, reportedly made a comment about wishing he had his neck done before a premiere they attended together. Richards, in turn, expressed a desire to have had her face addressed earlier, emphasizing the dramatic difference she observed in pre-operative photographs. "I can’t believe it. It’s shocking, actually. There’s a huge difference," she remarked.
The decision was not universally supported within her immediate family. Her older daughters, Sami (22) and Lola (20), initially expressed reservations. Richards explained her perspective to them, differentiating between a procedure that alters fundamental features like a nose job and a facelift that aims to restore a more youthful appearance. "For me, he’s just putting things back where they were. I’m not trying to change the way I look; I’m just trying to put things back," she articulated. She emphasized the importance of their support, even if they didn’t fully agree with her choice.
Broader Implications and Advice
Richards’ candid account contributes to a growing conversation about the normalization of cosmetic surgery and the pressures faced by women, particularly those in the public eye. She acknowledged the paradox of being in an industry that often promotes unrealistic beauty standards while advocating for authenticity.
Her advice to those considering a facelift centers on realistic expectations, thorough research of surgeons, and understanding the recovery process. "It’s very important to see before-and-afters from the doctor and understand your goals and what’s realistic, with whatever the surgeon is advising," she stressed. She also highlighted the necessity of allowing adequate time for recovery, emphasizing that "it is surgery."
The long-term results of the facelift are still unfolding, with Dr. Talei estimating that results typically last about 10 years. Richards expressed hope for the longevity of the procedure, stating, "I’m hoping this lasts." She remains open to future minimal interventions like Botox but is committed to Dr. Talei for any further facial work.
Ultimately, Richards’ experience with her facelift has been overwhelmingly positive. "It’s given me a new lease on life. It’s given me confidence. And people have asked me, if I wasn’t an actress, would I have still had it? And I would have," she affirmed. Her journey underscores a personal quest for renewed confidence and a desire to present herself in a way that aligns with her internal sense of well-being. The procedure, she concluded, "has changed my life in such a good way. I had no idea. I wish I did it earlier, but I’m grateful I did it when I did."