Deep Plane Facelift for Natural Rejuvenation
Achieve natural-looking facial rejuvenation with a deep, long-lasting lift that restores youthful contours in the face and neck.
Where Surgical Skill Meets Artistry
Dr. Balikian’s approach to facelift surgery is rooted in the belief that patients should look like themselves, just more refreshed and youthful. His goal is always natural-looking results, never pulled or overdone.
Using advanced deep plane facelift techniques, Dr. Balikian lifts and repositions the deeper structural layers of the face to restore youthful contours where aging has taken its toll.
With his surgical expertise, artistic eye, and deep understanding of facial anatomy, he delivers beautifully rejuvenated outcomes for patients seeking facial rejuvenation in the Temecula Valley.
Why Choose a Deep Plane Facelift?
A deep plane facelift is a transformative procedure that goes beyond surface-level skin tightening. By lifting the underlying muscle layer (SMAS) and releasing key ligaments, this technique allows for more natural movement and longer-lasting results in the cheeks, jawline, and neck.
It is especially effective in treating deep nasolabial folds, jowls, and neck laxity.
Why Does the Face Age?
As we age, the facial muscles weaken, skin loses elasticity, and volume shifts downward due to gravity. This results in sagging cheeks, jowls, deep folds, and fat accumulation along the jawline and neck. The platysma muscles in the neck may also separate, creating what’s commonly called a “turkey neck” or “wattle.”
A deep plane facelift addresses these concerns by lifting and re-anchoring deeper facial tissues, smoothing the skin without tension, and restoring natural volume and structure. The result is a refreshed, more youthful appearance that still looks like you.
Who Is a Deep Plane Facelift For?
Ideal candidates for a deep plane facelift include individuals in their 40s to 70s who are experiencing moderate to advanced signs of aging, such as skin laxity, jowling, deep folds, and neck banding.
Whether you’re hoping to slow the aging process or reverse it more dramatically, this procedure offers natural-looking, long-lasting rejuvenation.
Turn Back Time with Lasting Results
Types of Facelifts
Facial aging is complex and highly individual, which is why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Dr. Richard Balikian offers a range of advanced facelift techniques, each tailored to the patient’s anatomy, aging pattern, and goals.
Whether you’re concerned with midface sagging, deep folds, or a loose neck, Dr. Balikian customizes every surgical plan for natural, long-lasting results.
Artiste Lift™
Signature Full-Face Rejuvenation with Natural Precision
The Artiste Lift™ is Dr. Balikian’s signature facelift technique. It combines a preservation deep plane facelift with a deep vertical neck lift to restore youthful definition to the cheeks, jawline, and neck, all while preserving your natural facial expressions.
The Comprehensive Artiste Lift™ extends the procedure to include eyelid and brow rejuvenation, creating harmony across the entire face.
What sets the Artiste Lift™ apart is not just the result, but the recovery. Patients typically experience less swelling, no drains, no narcotics, and a smoother healing process, thanks to Dr. Balikian’s meticulous technique and innovative protocols.
Deep Plane Facelift
Advanced Correction for Midface, Jowls, and Folds
For patients with deeper facial aging, the deep plane facelift offers a more comprehensive lift. This advanced technique lifts the skin and underlying muscular structures as a single unit, allowing for dramatic yet natural improvement in the cheeks, jowls, marionette lines, and nasolabial folds.
Unlike traditional SMAS facelifts that tighten tissue at the surface, the deep plane method releases key ligaments and repositions the midface at its foundation. This results in a softer, more youthful look that avoids the tight or overdone appearance.
The deep plane facelift is considered the gold standard for facial rejuvenation and is performed by only a select group of surgeons with advanced anatomical expertise, including Dr. Balikian.
Deep Vertical Neck Lift
Targeted Refinement for a Sculpted Neckline
A neck lift is ideal for patients primarily concerned with sagging or fullness beneath the chin. This procedure tightens the platysma muscles, removes excess fat, and eliminates loose, hanging skin, resulting in a longer, smoother, more youthful neckline.
Neck lifts can be performed on their own or in combination with a facelift for a more comprehensive outcome. While effective on its own, an isolated neck lift does not address jowling or facial sagging and is typically best suited for patients whose concerns are limited to the neck area.
Your Renewal, Expertly Guided
Complementary Procedures for a Balanced Facelift Result
Facial aging occurs in three primary ways: gravity, volume loss, and surface texture changes. While a facelift addresses sagging tissues caused by gravity, it does not restore lost volume or smooth deep wrinkles.
To achieve the most harmonious and natural-looking results, Dr. Balikian may recommend combining your facelift with one or more of the following procedures:
Lip Lift
Aging often elongates the upper lip, causing it to sag and roll inward. In some cases, filler alone isn’t enough.
A lip lift shortens the upper lip and subtly rolls it outward, restoring a youthful balance to the mouth. Dr. Balikian calls this procedure the “icing on the cake” for facial rejuvenation.
Facial Fat Transfer
As we age, facial volume diminishes, much like a grape becoming a raisin. While a facelift repositions tissue, fat transfer restores fullness to hollow or sunken areas.
Using fat harvested from another part of your body, Dr. Balikian artistically sculpts a more youthful contour. As he often says, “A facelift rejuvenates, but the fat adds beauty.”
CO2 Laser Resurfacing
While a facelift improves structure, deeper wrinkles often require additional treatment. CO2 laser resurfacing removes the outer layer of damaged skin and stimulates collagen in the deeper layers.
This process helps improve stubborn lines and enhances the overall skin texture, giving your refreshed look an added glow.
Discover the Possibilities
Recovery and Results
The length of your recovery and what to expect during it will depend on the type of facelift performed and other factors.
When patients wake up after the facelift surgery, some of them will likely not remember anything from the procedure. The dressing will not be removed until 24 hours or once advised by the surgeon. Swelling, bruising, and discomfort are to be expected. Medication can help to manage pain during your recovery period.
First Few Days After the Procedure
During the initial days, you may experience tightness in the neck and notice more swelling on one side of the face than the other, this is completely normal. Adequate rest is essential during this time.
Light walking is encouraged, as it promotes circulation and healing.
One Week After Surgery
By the end of the first week, most patients no longer need pain medication. Gentle walks and light daily activities are usually well tolerated, though visible improvements are still in progress.
Patience is key as your body continues to heal.
Two Weeks Later
At this stage, most patients are ready to return to non-strenuous work.
Minor swelling and bruising may still be present, and a tingling sensation is common as the tissues continue to settle and heal.
One Month After a Facelift
About a month after your facelift, you can typically resume moderate lifting and more strenuous activities. By this time, most swelling and bruising will have subsided, though subtle residual effects may take a couple of months to fully resolve.
To support your recovery, you’ll receive detailed post-operative instructions tailored to each phase, from the first week through the months that follow. These may include:
- Arranging assistance during the first few days of recovery
- Sleeping with your head elevated
- Staying home and resting for one to two days
- Following a nutritious diet and staying well hydrated
- Avoiding alcohol and tobacco
- Pausing certain medications as directed
Following these guidelines carefully can significantly improve your healing experience and help ensure a smooth, successful outcome.
Deep Plane Facelift FAQs
How is a deep plane facelift different from a SMAS facelift?
Deep plane surgery lifts under the SMAS instead of pulling on top of it. The result is a softer, natural look with improved midface support and a refined jawline, often with less skin tension.
What areas does it improve most?
The deep plane approach targets the cheek, nasolabial fold, jowls, and neck. Releasing retaining ligaments allows real elevation instead of surface tightening alone.
Is the neck addressed at the same time?
Yes in most patients. A deep plane facelift commonly includes neck contouring, platysma management, and selective fat reduction for a clean angle of the neck.
Where are the incisions and what about scars?
Incisions are hidden around the ear and within the hairline. Careful design and tension-free closure help scars mature to fine lines over time.
How long do results last?
Results are designed to be long-lasting. You will continue to age naturally, but the structural lift typically maintains a more youthful contour for many years.
How uncomfortable is recovery?
Most patients report pressure and tightness more than pain. Discomfort is usually well controlled with medication and detailed aftercare.
What anesthesia is used and how long is surgery?
General anesthesia or deep sedation is typical. Operative time varies with the plan and any combined procedures.
Are drains or dressings used?
No routine drains. Dr. Balikian manages swelling and fluid with meticulous technique and a light compression wrap, not surgical drains. The wrap is used briefly after surgery and adjusted at the first postoperative visit.
Can fat grafting be added for volume?
Yes when appropriate. Micro-fat to the cheeks, temples, or jawline can restore youthful contours that a lift alone does not replace.
Can eyelid surgery or laser resurfacing be combined?
Yes, combination plans are common. Upper or lower blepharoplasty and targeted laser can refine skin quality and complete the result safely when planned together.
How do you prevent a pulled mouth or pixie ear look?
Support is placed deep and the skin is closed without tension. This protects natural earlobe position and avoids a stretched appearance.
What age range is typical?
There is no strict age. Most patients are in their 40s to 70s, depending on anatomy, skin quality, and goals.
How soon can I be event-ready?
Most patients feel camera-ready by three to four weeks. Residual swelling tapers for several months and continues to refine.
What maintenance helps results last?
Sun protection, medical-grade skincare, neuromodulators, and targeted lasers can maintain tone and texture. Healthy habits support long-term quality.
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.
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The Balikian Experience
Patients choose Dr. Richard Balikian for precision facial procedures, personalized care and results that look naturally you.
Learn More About Facial Plastic Surgery
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