Benefits of a Deep Plane Facelift – A Vertical Facelift

As we age, the effects of gravity and loss of soft tissue elasticity can cause sagging of the skin and the deeper layer called SMAS. This results in a change of a heart-shaped face to a more squared-shaped face.

While traditional facelifts and SMAS facelift surgery procedures are commonly performed by most plastic surgeons, a deep plane facelift requires more technical skills that can provide several benefits that you may not get from those other facial rejuvenation techniques.

Let’s take a look at what exactly a deep plane facelift is and what the many benefits are of the innovative surgical procedure.

What is a Deep Plane Facelift?

A deep plane facelift lifts the mid-face, lower face, and neck tissue at once by releasing and repositioning the muscle layer to a higher position.  Since the muscle layer under the skin is elevated the skin on top of it is fully attached, therefore it is not pulling on the skin causing scarring and a pulled look. This makes the results look much more natural and long-lasting than other facial procedures.

The deep plane refers to the layer of tissue between the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) and the muscles that control your facial expressions.

The deep plane technique releases the SMAS with the skin still attached and your surgeon repositions them to a higher position with tension on the SMAS, not the skin. There is no need to pull the skin and cause tension on it, then the excess skin is removed without tension. This leaves little or no scar afterward.

The deep plane facelift also uses a vertical vector that lifts your facial tissue in an upward direction providing a more natural contour to the face. In traditional facelifts, the vectors are more lateral. The deep plane technique can also add volume to the cheeks and help with drooping laugh lines and corners of the mouth.

Benefits of Deep Plane Facelift

The benefits of the deep plane facelift procedure are numerous. While a traditional facelift comes with a variety of advantages and benefits, the deep plane facelift can result in even more and provide a more natural-looking result. Some of the benefits include:

Addresses Visible Signs of Aging

One of the primary benefits of deep-plane facelifts is that they can improve your appearance. But unlike traditional facelifts, they don’t simply reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They also address the underlying tissue causes of those visible signs of aging.

The technique repositions the ligaments and tissues to a natural, higher position and reverses the signs of aging from the deepest areas of your face.

Recovery Time

Because the surgery is done on the deep layers of the tissue rather than near the surface, you may experience slightly longer recovery time. The swelling is about a week longer than skin only facelift.

While the whole recovery and healing process can take several months, the initial recovery process only takes a couple of weeks and you can usually return to work in a week or two.

Scars Are Less Visible

With a deep plane facelift, the scars are less visible, can be hidden much more easily, and they often fade quicker than you might expect. Because little to no tension is placed on the skin and the tissues under the skin are what’s being lifted, the skin’s edges can close together much more easily, and you can expect very little scarring.

Long-Lasting Results

While traditional facelift surgery can last around 5-7 years, deep-plane facelift results can last up to 10-15 years. Because it works on the deeper elements of the facial structure, the results last longer.

You will continue to age as you normally would, but the effects of aging may be much less visible than if you didn’t have the procedure, to begin with.

Natural-Looking Facial Rejuvenation

The results of a deep plane facelift can look much more natural than other types of facelift procedures. Why does it look more natural? Because the skin and the deeper facial muscles are being moved together and the facial ligaments are being released at a deeper level, the results look like your face has always been that way rather than looking like you’ve had “work” done.

Less Trauma to the Skin

Since the tissues and structure below the skin are being lifted and moved and the skin is not being damaged, you will notice far less bruising, redness, swelling, and scarring on the skin than you would with a traditional facelift.

This is one of the many reasons why people may prefer this method over others because, in the weeks following the procedure, the skin does not show as many signs that the procedure was done.

Schedule A Consultation

Does a deep plane facelift sound like just the treatment you’ve been looking for? To learn more about the procedure, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kevin Sadati at the Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetic Lounge. Dr. Kevin Sadati is a renowned, board-certified facial plastic surgeon who has been serving patients in Orange County, California for two decades.

To schedule a consultation today, call our Newport Beach, CA office at (949) 617-1277 or use our online scheduling tool to book a virtual consultation.