Deep Plane Facelift
The skin, fat pads, and muscles of your face begin to sag as we age, leading to loss of a sharp jawline, jowling, and laxity of the neck. Traditional facelifts work by lifting and tightening the skin with a limited tightening of the deeper tissues. This more limited deep tightening requires a more extensive undermining and tightening of the skin, resulting in a suboptimal, “pulled” appearance. The Deep Plane Facelift technique provides for a more extensive release and lifting of the deeper tissues of the face while limiting the skin undermining, resulting in a more comprehensive and long-lasting lift to the lower face and neck while minimizing the “pulled” appearance. Our providers at Azul Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Spa offer Deep Plane Facelifts to all patients who seek long-lasting and natural results.
Who is a Candidate for a Deep Plane Facelift?
The Deep Plane Facelift is an ideal choice for patients 40 and older with mild, moderate, and advanced laxity of the lower face and neck. These patients seek long-lasting and natural correction of deep smile lines, sagging jowls, and neck laxity. If you’ve had a traditional facelift before and seek a more natural and longer-lasting treatment, the Deep Plane Facelift may be the right choice for you.
Candidates should be in overall good health and should be a non-smoker or willing to quit, as smoking can delay healing. Patients with significant medical problems will need medical clearance from their medical doctor.
How Does a Deep Plane Facelift Work?
A Deep Plane Facelift is an advanced surgical procedure that entails a more extensive release and lifting of the deeper fibromuscular layer of the face, the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, or SMAS. This deeper release and tightening of the SMAS allows for a more complete lifting of the sagging soft tissues of the lower face and neck while simultaneously allowing less undermining of the skin for a more natural and less pulled appearance. Less skin undermining also means less risk of swelling and bruising.
The Deep Plane Facelift works by releasing the major retaining ligaments of the face, allowing a more complete repositioning of the sagging envelope of soft tissue to where they were 10, 15 or even 20 years ago. Once the deeper tissues are repositioned, the excess skin is trimmed out with minimal tension, resulting in a smooth, natural aesthetic.
Deep Plane Facelift Recovery
Much of the recovery from a Deep Plane Facelift occurs in the first two weeks. We recommend a gentle, elastic support garment 24/7 for the first week and while sleeping for the second week. Swelling and bruising usually peak on the third day. Most swelling and bruising fades after two weeks, and most patients are resuming social activity after two weeks. As with all facelifts, there will be some tightness and numbness that takes a few months to resolve. We ask patients to avoid heavy exercise in the first two weeks, but walking and light activity are fine after surgery.
Results from Deep Plane Facelift
The improved shape of the face is visible day one after a Deep Plane Facelift, but continues to improve over the next two to four weeks as the swelling subsides and your more natural rejuvenation is unveiled. At one month, the cheeks look lifted, the jawline sharp, and the neck more smooth and contoured. Although much of the healing takes place in the first month, final results can take up to 6 months as all the residual swelling resolves. These results can last for decades and can be prolonged with healthy living, good skin care, and sun protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the effects of a Deep Plane Facelift permanent?
The results of a Deep Plane Facelift are long-lasting, but they don’t stop the natural aging process. The good news is that the surgery can be repeated when necessary, whether that’s 10, 15, or 20 years down the road.
Will I have scars after a Deep Plane Facelift?
Deep Plane Facelifts require incisions similar to traditional facelift techniques, but these incisions are well hidden in the hairline and the natural creases and folds around the ears. Meticulous closure and newer scar creams have made visible incision lines rare after Deep Plane Facelift procedures.
Will Deep Plane Facelifts reduce wrinkles?
All facelifts reduce the visibility of facial wrinkles and folds by tightening the skin along with the deeper tissues. For more advanced degrees of sun damage with wrinkles and pigmentation, laser resurfacing can be added to the procedure to eliminate the majority of wrinkles and sun spots more permanently.
Can I exercise after a Deep Plane Facelift?
It’s best to avoid heavy exercise for the first two weeks after a Deep Plane Facelift surgery, but light activity such as walking, computer use, and easy movement around the house are fine. Light exercise can be resumed after 2 weeks and full activity after one month.
Are Deep Plane Facelifts painful?
All facelifts are associated with temporary tightness, soreness, and numbness due to the manipulation of the tissues of the face. As Deep Plane Facelifts involve less release of the skin, there tends to be somewhat less swelling, bruising, and discomfort with this technique.
Will I need anesthesia?
Most providers prefer general anesthesia for this procedure as it offers better control and less stress for the patient, but in some cases, deep intravenous sedation or local anesthesia can also be offered as an alternative.
How long will the procedure last?
A Deep Plane facelift usually lasts about 2 hours, but if additional procedures are added, such as endoscopic brow lifts, eyelids, fat augmentation, or laser resurfacing, the procedure can last as long as 4 hours.
Can I combine a Deep Plane Facelift with injectable treatments?
Yes, you can combine a Deep Plane Facelift with injectable treatments such as BOTOX Cosmetic and Dermal Fillers if needed.
When can I wear make-up after a Deep Plane Facelift?
Typically, make-up is avoided for the first 7 to 10 days to prevent excessive manipulation of the skin, but make-up can technically be applied to the non-sutured areas of the face anytime after surgery and to the incision lines after 2 weeks.
Will I need to take time off work if I get a Deep Plane Facelift?
Yes, you will likely need to take time off work if you get a Deep Plane Facelift. If you work in an office, you can usually return to work after one week. If you work from home, you may be comfortable returning to work between 3 to 7 days. Outdoor workers may require up to 2 weeks to avoid sun exposure.
How should I prepare for a Deep Plane Facelift?
Good nutrition and healthy living are the best ways to prepare for any surgery. We recommend no smoking for 30 days prior to any facelift surgery. We also recommend no alcohol for one week prior to the procedure. All blood thinners must be stopped for an appropriate period of time before the procedure. All patients must have a screening EKG and blood work to rule out underlying abnormalities, and if you have significant medical problems, then a medical clearance from your physician will be required.
Where is the Deep Plane Facelift performed?
Azul Surgical Arts is a nationally certified, state-of-the-art surgical suite where Deep Plane Facelifts are performed. With individual suites for the privacy and comfort of our patients and a dedicated medical staff focused just on you, Azul Surgical Arts provides the ideal environment of comfort and safety.