Aging is a natural part of life, but that doesn’t mean you have to make peace with increasingly lax skin, deep wrinkles, or loss of volume in your face. If you’ve noticed that your reflection in the mirror doesn’t quite match how young you feel inside, a deep plane facelift might be the solution you’ve been searching for.
Unlike traditional facelifts that focus solely on tightening the skin, this advanced technique lifts and repositions the deeper structures of your face, restoring volume and giving you a refreshed, more youthful look. Whether you’re looking to smooth out deep folds, lift sagging jowls, or improve the definition of your jawline, a deep plane facelift at Aesthetic Surgery Centre & Medical Spa can deliver natural-looking, long-lasting rejuvenation.
A deep plane facelift is an advanced facial rejuvenation technique that offers long-lasting and natural-looking results. While traditional facelifts focus primarily on tightening loose and sagging skin, a deep plane facelift repositions the deeper layers of facial tissue to achieve a more youthful and refreshed appearance. This procedure effectively lifts your midface, smoothing deep nasolabial folds and restoring volume without creating an overly tight or “windswept” look.
Deep plane facelifts are particularly effective for patients with significant skin laxity, sagging jowls, loss of volume, and deeply etched wrinkles. Since the procedure involves adjusting your deeper facial structures rather than simply tightening lax skin, your results tend to be more natural-looking and longer-lasting than those of traditional facelifts.
A deep plane facelift improves common facial aging concerns, such as sagging skin and loss of volume, by targeting the root cause, lifting and tightening the underlying muscles and fascia. The procedure addresses both the midface and neck areas, enhancing the appearance of your lower face and improving your overall facial contour, delivering incredible results that are dramatic but still natural-looking.
The primary difference between a traditional facelift and a deep plane facelift is which levels of your face they address. A traditional facelift, also known as a SMAS facelift, targets the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) level of your face, which contains subcutaneous fat, fibrous tissue, and muscle. Over time, the SMAS tissues begin to droop as they lose elasticity, leaving you with jowls and sagging skin. A traditional facelift removes excess skin, lifting and tightening the area without addressing deeper levels of your face.
A deep plane facelift focuses on the muscular plane of your face, where the SMAS is attached to your bone and dermis with four ligaments. It releases the ligaments of the SMAS, allowing them and other underlying musculature to be tightened to increase support of the overlying tissues. This lifts all aspects of your face, giving you a comprehensive, refreshed appearance.
A deep plane facelift offers several advantages, making it an excellent option if you are looking for comprehensive, lasting facial rejuvenation. Some of the benefits of a deep plane facelift include:
A deep plane facelift lifts and repositions deep facial tissues instead of simply tightening lax skin, so this technique avoids the artificial “too-tight” look that is a telltale sign that you’ve had work done.
Because deep plane facelifts address the deeper structural level of your face, results can last ten to fifteen years or longer, making it one of the most lasting facelift options available.
Unlike traditional facelifts that typically focus on the lower face and neck, a deep plane facelift also lifts the midface, addressing volume loss and deep folds and wrinkles around your mouth and nose.
Since a deep plane facelift releases the tension in the deeper layers of your face rather than relying on skin tightening for results, it reduces pulling and stress on your skin, leading to a more comfortable recovery and less visible scarring.
Candidates for a deep plane facelift are men and women who are nonsmokers in overall good health. You will likely also have significant signs of aging in your face and wish to refresh your appearance using a more natural and longer-lasting solution than a traditional facelift. Ideal candidates for a deep plane facelift are people who:
The best way to determine if a deep plane facelift is the right option for you is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is skilled and experienced in the procedure. Call Aesthetic Surgery Centre & Medical Spa at (253) 627-2900 to schedule your consultation today.
The first step toward a rejuvenated appearance is an in-depth consultation with your chosen plastic surgeon. At your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your level of facial aging, skin elasticity, and bone structure to determine if you’re a good candidate for a deep plane facelift. They will also review your medical history, listen to your concerns, and provide recommendations for combined treatments if you desire. This is also the time to ask questions about your surgeon’s experience, view before and after photos of their work, and learn more about the procedure, recovery requirements, and results.
Having clear goals and expectations for what you want to accomplish before your consultation will help your surgeon create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs. Learning as much as possible about the procedure at your consultation and pre-op visits helps ensure you are fully prepared and confident in your surgeon and their ability to provide safe and effective results before surgery.
A deep plane facelift is typically performed using general anesthesia and involves the following steps:
Your surgeon begins the procedure by making small incisions along your hairline and hidden in the creases around your ears. This allows for optimal access to your deeper facial structures while still minimizing visible scarring.
Instead of separating the skin from the underlying muscle (as in a SMAS facelift), your surgeon lifts and repositions your entire facial structure as one unit. This includes the SMAS layer, as well as the fat pads and connective tissues.
Your surgeon will then carefully release the tethered ligaments in your face, lifting (not pulling) them to a more elevated position and tightening them. Next, they will reposition your facial fat pads to restore youthful volume and enhance your facial contour.
Once the deeper tissues have been repositioned, excess skin is trimmed away and redraped smoothly without being pulled too taut.
Once your deep plane facelift is complete, the incisions are carefully closed with sutures, and a supportive facial bandage will be applied to help minimize swelling and promote healing.
Recovery after a deep plane facelift varies for each person, depending on the extent of correction needed and whether you underwent additional cosmetic procedures concurrently. For example, patients often elect to include a brow lift or eyelid lift for even more complete facial rejuvenation. With that in mind, most deep plane facelift patients can expect the following general timeline:
You will have significant swelling and bruising after your deep plane facelift, which are most noticeable during the first few days. Mild discomfort is normal but can be managed with over-the-counter or prescription pain medications as well as gentle application of cold compresses. You will need to rest during this time, with your head elevated to help reduce swelling.
Bruising and swelling from your procedure will begin to fade, and most patients often feel comfortable getting back to light daily activities during the second week of recovery. Any stitches you have will likely be removed at a follow-up appointment.
Swelling from your deep plane facelift will continue to subside, and your results will become more noticeable. Bruising will have mostly faded, and any residual color can be covered with makeup. Many people often feel confident returning to work and social activities between three to four weeks after surgery.
While complete healing may take several months, you will start to see some of your deep plane facelift results begin to take shape as residual swelling continues to diminish. Your results will continue to develop, and your face will appear more youthful, lifted, and natural.
To ensure that you reap the maximum rewards from your deep plane facelift, keep the following in mind:
Your deep plane facelift results will provide you with transformative yet natural-looking results. Because this facelift technique targets deeper levels of your face, the outcome is not only more enduring but also keeps you looking soft and natural rather than overly tight or artificial.
One of the most appealing aspects of a deep plane facelift is how long it lasts. Many patients enjoy the benefits of this procedure for 15 years (or more), which is significantly longer than a traditional facelift.
As with any cosmetic procedure, the length of your results will vary based on several factors, including:
Keep in mind that the natural aging process will continue, but maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking good care of your skin can help prolong the effects of your surgery and keep you looking gorgeous for years to come.
The cost of a deep plane facelift in Tacoma can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of the procedure and your surgeon’s expertise. The cost of your surgery will also be influenced by combining additional cosmetic procedures with your facelift.
Aesthetic Surgery Centre & Medical Spa also offers financing options, making it easier for you to invest in your appearance and increase your confidence.
If you’re looking for comprehensive yet natural-looking facial rejuvenation, a deep plane facelift is one of the most advanced and effective options available. To learn more about the benefits of a deep plane facelift and determine if it’s the right procedure to help you achieve your aesthetic goals, contact Aesthetic Surgery Centre & Medical Spa today by calling (253) 627-2900 or completing the online contact form.
