A well lived life is accompanied by the signs of aging, including noticeable changes to the face. Over time, you may notice wrinkles, a lack of definition, jowls and sagging skin. If you find these changes bothersome and are looking to regain a youthful appearance, a facelift is often an excellent solution. You may have heard about the popular deep plane facelift, which is known to be the gold standard, or “Rolls Royce” of facelifts. The deep plane is an advanced facelift technique that works deeper below the tissue to redefine facial contours to a youthful position with a natural-looking appearance.
What is a Deep Plane Facelift?
A deep plane facelift is a specialized technique in which the SMAS, the layer of connective tissue under the skin, is lifted as one plane to tighten the cheekbones, lower face, jawline, and neck. With this treatment, the face and skin emerge tighter with better-defined facial features and reduced laxity throughout, all while retaining a natural look. Of all the different types of facelifts that plastic surgeons perform today, the deep plane is by far the most advanced and effective, taking up to 15 years off your appearance for a renewed and restored version of you.
The deep plane facelift is a very advanced and intricate technique, only offered by highly skilled plastic surgeons.
How a Deep Plane Facelift Differs from Traditional Facelifts
All types of facelifts address age-related changes to the face and loose skin, but how they do it varies. With a deep plane facelift, the jowls, excess skin, and soft tissues are areas where the most significant improvement is seen, as well as the neck.
A deep plane facelift, performed under general anesthesia, addresses multiple layers of tissue in the face and neck at a deeper level and includes the muscles, too. The facelift involves releasing specific ligaments and attachments, keeping the skin attached to the deeper structures. This technique moves everything as one plane or structure, allowing for a more extensive repositioning and undermining of the deeper facial structures. This allows the surgery to address the deep layers of the face for a more comprehensive rejuvenation as the mid-face and jowls are lifted more than a traditional facelift.
A traditional facelift focuses mainly on the superficial layers of the face, while a deep plane facelift targets the deeper facial tissues, muscles, and ligaments. The incisions used in this treatment are smaller and more precise than those used in a traditional facelift. Offering a more comprehensive rejuvenation with natural results, it is important to note not everyone is a candidate for this type of technique. A consultation with your surgeon will help determine the best technique tailored to your anatomy.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
An ideal candidate is usually someone in their mid-to-late 40s or older with moderate to severe facial sagging and skin laxity. They also display jowls, deep nasolabial folds, and sagging in the midface and neck, with a general lack of defined features in the lower face.
Candidates should be in good general health, non-smokers, and without conditions that impair healing. It’s also important to understand what a it can and cannot address and have realistic expectations.
The Results
With this treatment, you can expect to look like a refreshed version of yourself and at least ten years younger, while still looking like you. The surgery will create a more contoured jawline, a tighter neck, a smoother face with fewer prominent wrinkles, firmer skin, and better-defined facial features that make the face appear more youthful. Those changes often come with more confidence and a renewed sense of self-esteem. If additional cosmetic procedures are recommended to help you achieve your goals, you’ll also notice improvement in those areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is a deep plane facelift different from a traditional facelift?
A deep plane facelift is a far more extensive and detailed technique that allows for deeper repositioning of the facial structures. Addressing these deeper layers gives a more natural rejuvenation and improves the mid-face, jowls, and neck better than a regular facelift. During treatment, the skin is left attached to the underlying structures, which prevents an overly pulled and tight look.
- What will my scars look like?
The incisions used are precise and expertly placed so that they will be barely visible once you are fully healed. All the incisions are well hidden around the ears and within the hairline, where your scars will also be. No one but you will know that they are there!
- How long will the results of a deep plane facelift last?
The results of a deep plane facelift are long-lasting and should last at least ten years, if not more, depending on how your face naturally ages. While genetics play a role in facial aging, so do sun and environmental damage, lifestyle choices, and how you care for your skin, all of which can affect the results of a deep plane facelift. At Specialists in Plastic Surgery, we offer a Platinum Facelift Package that combines aesthetic treatments and medical-grade skincare to enhance your results and protect your investment.
- What are the benefits of a deep plane facelift?
The main benefits of a deep plane facelift are a refreshed, younger yet natural look, smoother skin, and refined facial contours. It can also restore volume and address an aging neck and lower face. You can expect to look up to fifteen years younger from a deep plane facelift.
- What is the recovery process like?
The entire recovery process can take a few months, but the downtime is a few weeks at most. In the first few days, there will be bruising, swelling, and some discomfort, over-the-counter medication can be used if needed. There may be a feeling of some tightness, which will improve as the skin settles after surgery. After a couple of weeks, you can expect to resume your regular activities based on your surgeon’s recommendations. At the one-month mark, you’ll feel pretty much like yourself again, and by six months, you’ll see the results of your surgery taking shape.