Denise Richards Opens Up About Her Facelift
Denise Richards, the 55-year-old actress, has finally shared details about a recent cosmetic procedure that she underwent. In an interview on Friday, March 20, she revealed that she had a facelift in June 2025. This marks the first time in her career that she has opted for facial surgery, despite having undergone a chest augmentation at the age of 19 and subsequent revision surgery.
Richards explained that her decision to go through with the procedure was driven by a desire to restore her appearance to what it was before. “I wanted to put things back up, where they were before,” she said. “I was terrified. Being in the public eye since my 20s, people know what I look like — a facelift is not something that I could hide.”
Eight months after the surgery, Richards is thrilled with the results. “It is night and day. It’s shocking, actually,” she said. While other celebrities have been more open about their own facelifts, Richards has chosen not to name them. “It’s not just serums and working out and lasers,” she emphasized, highlighting the importance of surgical intervention in maintaining a youthful appearance.
A Longstanding Resistance to Facial Surgery
Despite her current satisfaction, Richards had always been resistant to the idea of facial surgery. She described herself as someone who lives life with a “never say never” mentality, but a facelift was always a hard “no.” “That’s my face. This is how I make my money. I’ve been in this business a long time. People know what I look like. I’ve never done anything aesthetically to my face,” she recalled thinking to herself.
However, Richards has had some minor cosmetic treatments in the past, including a little Botox and very little filler. She admitted that she believed these treatments made her “look like [she] was heavy.” “If things go a little sideways when you do some other part of your body, you could cover it,” she continued. “So I was always scared of a facelift, but I did want to do my neck — my late mom would always say that she had a turkey neck. I think it’s genetic.”
The Decision to Proceed
Richards had tried using lifting tape, which a makeup artist showed her, and she found it somewhat effective. “I’m like, ‘Well, if that’s where I want it to go, why not just put it back there?’” she said. This idea lingered in her mind for two years, with her going back and forth on the decision. In the last six months before her surgery, she felt it was time to take action.
“I was like, ‘I have to do this,’” she added. The decision was not made lightly, but Richards felt it was necessary for her confidence and overall well-being.
Satisfaction and Newfound Confidence
Now, Richards feels more confident than ever and is grateful for the work done by plastic surgeon Dr. Ben Talei. “I’m so grateful to Dr. Ben, I really am, because as we age, it doesn’t happen overnight, you know? But when you get a facelift, once you heal, it’s like night and day. You see a dramatic difference,” she said.
The procedure has given her a new lease on life, especially during a challenging time in her personal life. Richards, who split from her husband Aaron Phypers in July 2025, noted that the decision was not influenced by her relationship status. “And people have asked me, if I wasn’t an actress, would I have still had it? And I would have. I would. Because if I’m able to feel good, and if it gives me confidence, I’m grateful that I did it.”
She added, “It’s 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.”
