Overview
A deep plane facelift is a type of facelift surgery that targets the deeper layer of muscle and soft tissue. This deeper layer is known as the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System). As we grow older, the skin on the face and neck gradually loses its elasticity and collagen. These factors, combined with the effects of gravity, can weaken your facial and neck muscles and cause your skin to sag. Fat can also accumulate in areas under the chin leading to the appearance of a double chin and jowls. The deep plane facelift procedure can help address sagging skin in the neck region as well as wrinkles in the mid-to-lower face. This procedure also tightens jowls to improve your overall appearance.
When performed correctly, this procedure can bring back a person's younger appearance, making them look decades younger. With a deep plane facelift, the overstretched appearance of many contemporary facelifts is avoided. This is because a deep plane facelift elevates the skin beneath the muscle layer, leaving the skin attached to the muscle layer so it can never appear too tight. Additionally, this procedure raises the cheeks by loosening the facial anchoring points in the deep plane, so there is no need for the addition of fat or filler.
Deep plane facelifts are a modern facelift method that allows plastic surgeons to produce more appealing, natural-looking results. There is also a wide range of non-surgical treatments for enhancing the natural-looking effects of your facelift.
You should also know that other facial rejuvenation procedures can be performed in place of or together with a deep plane facelift to improve the appearance of your face. Before you make the decision to get a deep plane facelift, you should consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Karan Chopra to get the best advice on the exact facial rejuvenation procedure or combination of procedures that will benefit you the most and meet your aesthetic expectations.
Benefits
A deep plane facelift helps to tighten the muscles of the face and neck, improving the overall appearance of the face and providing patients with a youthful appearance. This procedure produces longer-lasting and more natural results than other facelift procedures.
- A deep plane facelift produces more natural results by moving the position of the SMAS.
- This procedure has a shorter surgical time, especially when compared with other facelift procedures.
- A deep plane facelift removes excess skin and leaves behind smooth skin.
- This procedure restores the natural elevation and volume of the cheeks.
- There are fewer noticeable scars after a deep plane facelift procedure.
- A deep plane facelift softens the nasolabial folds
- A deep plane facelift produces longer-lasting results.
"Am I the right candidate?"
You will be considered eligible for a deep plane facelift if you:- Are healthy: being in good general health before any kind of plastic surgery is important. If in doubt, please inform your surgeon well in advance of any existing medical issues as it could mean the difference between being able to undergo a deep plane facelift or choosing a less invasive, non-surgical method of facial rejuvenation.
- Have a good overall skin condition: your facial skin should ideally still be somewhat elastic and flexible. The overall outcome of a facelift may also be affected if you smoke and have severe sun damage. You can discuss with your plastic surgeon to learn how your lifestyle may affect your eligibility for the procedure.
- Have a good underlying facial bone structure: the structure of your underlying facial bone plays a significant role in the appearance of your face. The outcomes of your deep plane facelift will be best if you already have a good bone structure. If you have a weak chin, for instance, you may wish to consider the option of a chin lift (genioplasty) before getting a deep plane facelift. Alternatively, if you're unhappy with the way your nose looks, you may want to think about having a nose surgery (rhinoplasty) before getting a facelift.
- Have a realistic expectation of outcomes: it is critical to have a realistic expectation from your face lift procedure. Even though a successful facelift can take years off your appearance, it is important to understand what a facelift can and cannot do. A facelift should give you the appearance of a younger version of yourself while maintaining your natural appearance. The last thing anyone wants after a deep plane facelift is to look like they have "had work done".
Procedure
The anatomic plane between the SMAS-platysma complex, composed of fascia and muscle, and the deeper layer of muscles involved in facial expression is known as the "deep plane." Instead of removing and pulling layers of skin, the deep plane facelift procedure concentrates on releasing and moving layers of muscle and fat.
While deep plane and SMAS facelifts are frequently compared to one another, the deep plane facelift is actually a type of SMAS facelift, which is the current gold standard for facelifts. However, the deep plane facelift differs from a SMAS facelift in that the skin and SMAS are lifted simultaneously rather than separately. This technique produces more natural outcomes. With a deep plane facelift, your surgeon can perform more extensive lifting without squeezing tissues, producing the best results while maintaining a natural-looking appearance. A deep plan facelift is also believed to have the potential to extend the effectiveness of a facelift. The cheek fat pads may be repositioned during this treatment, giving the midface the appearance of being elevated.
This procedure may also be performed in conjunction with a platysmaplasty to tighten the midline platysma and improve sagging neck skin. A small incision is made beneath the chin to eliminate chin fat that builds up with age and to tighten vertical bands and cords in the neck. The deep plane facelift operation has the longest-lasting results of all face lifting techniques.
Time A deep plane facelift is a relatively short procedure and it usually takes about 90-120 minutes depending on your plastic surgeon and the type of anesthesia used for the procedure.
Cost The cost of a deep plane facelift may vary from patient to patient depending on various factors such as the complexity of the procedure, surgical fees, and anesthesia fees. A detailed quote will be provided during your consultation.
Process
1. A small incision will be made behind the ear by your plastic surgeon who will take care to ensure that the incisions are as undetectable as possible.
2. Afterwards, your plastic surgeon will elevate the skin and SMAS as a single unit, release important anchoring ligaments in the face, jaw, and neck, and realign deeper tissues to remove sagging skin.
3. Excess skin is carefully excised.
4. After that, the incisions will be stitched up with tiny sutures so as not to put any strain on the skin flap.
5. Thin drain tubes may also be inserted in some circumstances to help avoid any accumulation of extra fluid post-surgery.
Recovery
Bruising and edema around the repositioned areas are common during the initial days of recovery after a deep plane facelift. The bruising and swelling will gradually fade away over time. During a deep plane facelift, the arteries between the muscle and skin from are not affected, which maintains more of the skin's natural blood supply and promotes quicker healing. Other types of facelifts can entail trauma to blood vessels. As a result, bruising is usually more severe after these procedures. To minimize any pain during the recovery process, certain pain medication may be prescribed. Cold compresses can also be used to reduce swelling, and patients are encouraged to keep their head elevated. It is crucial to get lots of rest to accelerate the healing process.What are the Risks and Possible Complications of a Deep Plane Facelift?
A deep plane neck lift is a relatively safe procedure, but it does come with some medical and cosmetic risks and complications such as hematoma and infection. Some studies claim that there is a marginally increased risk of nerve damage following deep plane facelifts. Nerve damage normally heals on its own 3-6 months after it occurs. It is for this reason that it is important to ensure that your deep plane facelift procedure is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Karan Chopra.
FAQs about Deep Plane Facelift
How is a deep plane facelift done?
- With a deep plane facelift, the cheekbones, jawline, and neck are tightened by lifting the SMAS, a layer of connective tissue that lies beneath the skin and above the facial muscles. During the procedure, your plastic surgeon will elevate the skin and SMAS as a single unit, release important anchoring ligaments in the face, neck, and jaw, and realign deeper tissues to remove sagging skin.
How long does it take to fully recover from a deep plane facelift?
- A deep plane facelift requires a recovery period of three weeks, during which there will be some bruising, edema, and discomfort. For the first one to two weeks, patients usually require a compression garment, neck, and drain support. Patients getting facelifts are recommended to take two weeks off work and six weeks off of vigorous activity.
How painful is a deep plane facelift?
- A deep plane facelift is typically not more painful when compared with other, more conservative cosmetic surgery procedures, despite some discomfort in the early, postoperative days.
What age is best for deep plane facelift?
- The ideal candidates for facelifts are people between the ages of 40-60 when signs of aging start to become more obvious. Age-related changes in the skin, such as deep lines, fine lines, and sagging, can best be treated surgically as opposed to non-surgically.