Denise Richards Opens Up About Her Facelift Experience

Denise Richards has shared insights into her facelift journey. At 55, the ‘Wild Things’ actress underwent the procedure in 2025, speaking candidly about the changes, the influence of her divorce, and the reactions from her daughters.

Richards expressed her desire to restore her features to their previous state. In an interview with Allure, she said, “I wanted to put things back up, where they were before.” Her first plastic surgery was breast implants at 19, with subsequent revisions. However, this marked her initial facial surgery experience.

The actress admitted to her apprehension, acknowledging the public’s familiarity with her appearance. “Being in the public eye since my 20s, people know what I look like — a facelift is not something that I could hide,” she remarked.

Richards described the drastic change, noting, “It’s night and day.” She highlighted that other celebrities became more open about their own procedures after hers, though she chose not to name them. Emphasizing that celebrity youth isn’t just from skincare or exercise, she entrusted Dr. Ben Talei with the surgery.

My face was in his hands,” Richards said, emphasizing her trust in Dr. Talei, adding, “You’re the artist. Whatever you want to do.”

Shortly after the facelift, Richards faced the stress of divorce, complicating her recovery. “I began going through my divorce 10 days after surgery,” she explained. Despite the turbulence, she maintained her recovery regimen.

Aaron Phypers filed for divorce on July 7, and shortly after, Richards received a temporary restraining order. By November, her request for a permanent order was approved. Amid the divorce, Phypers disclosed her facelift, adding scrutiny to her transformation. Richards reflected on her motives, stating, “I want to do [it] for me.”

The decision sparked family debates, especially among her daughters. While initially concerned, they conceded as they saw Richards preserving her identity. This mirrored a prior discussion with her daughter Sami regarding cosmetic changes.

Sharing a moment with humor, Richards recounted her stance against Sami’s nose job at age 20. Sami pointed out the irony, and Richards clarified that her facelift aimed to restore her appearance rather than alter it fundamentally.