Deep Plane Facelift | The Most Natural Way to Lift Your Face
Advanced Facial Rejuvenation with Natural, Long-Lasting Results
A deep plane facelift is an advanced approach to facial rejuvenation. Rather than tightening skin alone, it elevates and repositions the deeper support layers to restore youthful contours in the cheeks, jawline, and neck.
The goal is a refreshed look that still feels like you.
What Makes the Deep Plane Facelift Different?
The deep plane facelift goes beneath the superficial muscular layer (SMAS) to address facial aging at its foundation. By releasing and repositioning the underlying connective tissue, muscles, and fat pads, this technique:
- Provides a more significant and longer-lasting lift
- Restores midface volume and jawline definition
- Reduces deep folds and jowling without skin tension
- Creates a smooth, natural transition between the lower face and neck
Because it targets the structural causes of facial aging, the results are more refined and integrated than those achieved with skin-only facelifts.
Surgical Approach
The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia. Incisions are discreetly placed along the hairline and around the ears to allow access to the deeper layers of the face. The facial tissue is carefully lifted and repositioned, then the skin is re-draped without tension for a natural finish.
Some patients may benefit from combining the deep plane facelift with additional procedures, such as a deep vertical neck lift, eyelid surgery, or facial fat grafting, depending on their needs and goals.
Results That Last
The deep plane facelift delivers a more dramatic, yet natural-looking transformation compared to other facelift techniques. Patients often experience:
- Lifted cheeks and softened nasolabial folds
- Defined jawline with reduced jowling
- Smoother neck contour
- A refreshed appearance that still looks like themselves
Because the deeper tissues are repositioned, not just the skin, results tend to last 10 years or longer, aging more gracefully over time.
Deep Plane Facelift Before and After Gallery
Recovery Timeline
Recovery varies from person to person, but most patients can expect:
- Swelling and bruising for the first 1–2 weeks
- Return to light activities within 2 to 3 weeks
- Continued improvement over several months as tissues settle
Full results gradually become more apparent as swelling resolves. Patients are typically advised to avoid strenuous activity during the initial recovery period and follow all post-operative care instructions closely.
Preservation-Minded Recovery
Dr. Balikian’s preservation deep plane approach is designed to limit unnecessary skin undermining, respect lymphatic pathways, and reduce bruising. Lymphatic recovery after facelift progresses over weeks to months, and less disruption supports smoother resolution of swelling.
Adjunct photobiomodulation (PBM) light therapy is used early to support comfort and fluid balance. Studies in head and neck populations show PBM is feasible and may help reduce lymphedema and inflammation.
If periocular or perioral laser resurfacing is performed, expect predictable redness that fades with proper care. Fractional ablative CO₂ devices are effective for texture change with a manageable recovery when protocols are followed.
Is Deep Plane “Better” than SMAS?
Both can be excellent in the right hands. A systematic review found very high satisfaction with deep plane and SMAS facelifts; complication profiles differ slightly and should be discussed during consultation.
Earlier comparative work showed no universal superiority, which is why surgeon assessment and customization matter.
Learn More About the Deep Plane Approach
If you’re interested in learning more about the deep plane facelift, schedule a consultation with Dr. Richard Balikian, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon.
During your visit, he will evaluate your facial anatomy, listen to your goals, and help determine whether this advanced technique is the right choice for you.
Sources and further reading
For those who want to explore the science behind the preservation deep plane facelift and related innovations in recovery, the following peer-reviewed studies offer valuable insight.
- Systematic review: Deep plane vs SMAS facelifts—patient satisfaction and complications.
- Comparative outcomes: Deep-plane vs SMAS plication (Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery).
- Complication/technique overview: Facelift techniques and longevity review.
- Lymphatic recovery after facelift: Dynamic lymphoscintigraphy study.
- Photobiomodulation in head and neck lymphedema: Feasibility and early efficacy.
- Fractional ablative CO₂ resurfacing: Outcomes and recovery considerations.
These publications highlight how modern facelift techniques, lymphatic preservation and photobiomodulation continue to refine outcomes and patient comfort.
Start Your Journey
Deep Plane Facelift FAQs
How is a preservation deep plane facelift different from a standard SMAS lift?
Both reposition deeper tissues, but deep plane releases retaining ligaments and elevates the cheek–jawline unit with less surface tension, which helps the result look integrated rather than tight. Comparative reviews show high satisfaction with both, so surgeon selection and plan matter most.
What is a deep vertical neck lift and when is it paired with a facelift?
It refines the neck by tightening deep layers and addressing bands and fullness under the jaw. Dr. Balikian pairs it when the neck needs more definition for a crisp face-to-neck transition.
Will a deep plane facelift change my smile or facial expressions?
Your expressions remain yours. Temporary tightness or mild stiffness can occur early, but the goal is natural movement once swelling settles. Permanent motor nerve injury is rare in modern series.
What is the risk of nerve injury and how long does numbness last?
Most sensory changes are temporary and improve over weeks to months. Meta-analyses report low rates of nerve injury, with most resolving over time.
How long do results last compared with other facelift methods?
Longevity is strong across contemporary techniques. Reviews show durable outcomes and high satisfaction for both deep plane and SMAS approaches; aging continues naturally.
Can previous fillers, threads, or skin-tightening devices affect my facelift plan?
Yes. Old fillers, scarring, or thread placement can influence tissue glide and surgical design. Bring treatment history so your plan can be customized.
Is a deep plane facelift right for men?
Often yes. Incisions are adjusted to respect beard patterns and sideburns, and the vector of lift is planned to keep a natural, masculine jawline.
How soon can I fly or travel after surgery?
Short flights are usually fine after the first postoperative visit if swelling is controlled and you can ambulate frequently. Longer trips are best delayed until your surgeon clears you.
What maintenance treatments help protect my result?
Medical-grade skincare, strict sun protection, and occasional non-surgical tune-ups (light resurfacing, neuromodulators, or small-volume fillers) can complement surgical longevity.
How do I know if I need fat grafting with my facelift?
If midface or temple volume is depleted, subtle fat transfer can restore balance so the lift looks soft, not hollow. This is decided after examining skin quality, volume loss and goals.
Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Richard Balikian is a renowned facial plastic surgeon known for his dedication to patients throughout Southern California.
With more than two decades of experience and double board certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, he brings together surgical precision and an artist’s eye.
Dr. Balikian is among a select group of specialists whose advanced training is devoted entirely to procedures of the face and neck.
Learn More About Facial Plastic Surgery Procedures
Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery: Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Tyler Frew, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
