Deep Plane Facelifts Are The Latest Advancements in Cosmetic Surgery

The Deep Plane Facelift has become increasingly popular over the last decade, but it’s actually been around since the early 1990s. An innovative technique, the ultimate goal of the deep plane method is to address aging deep down in the facial structures to create a more natural-looking result that avoids the wind-blown look of facelifts in the past.

Even though it was developed a few decades ago, because of the specialized techniques used, not every surgeon performs it or has the required training to produce optimal results. Like any specialty treatment, if you’re considering a Deep Plane Facelift, it’s key to find a surgeon who has extensive experience with this procedure and understands best practices in order to customize the surgery and achieve the best possible results for each patient.

What is a Deep Plane Facelift?

The Deep Plane Facelift approach concentrates on transforming and reshaping the deeper layers of tissues that contribute to facial mobility and expressions. By specifically targeting deeper muscles and tissues, this technique effectively improves sagging in the face and corrects hollowing without creating an overly taut, stretched appearance.

During the procedure, a skilled plastic surgeon will first make incisions and adjust underlying muscles and tissue to create a tighter, more toned appearance. Then, moving the upper layers of tissue and skin as one unit, sutures are strategically placed for optimal and subtle tension that is not overdone. The outcome is a notably natural, firm, and rejuvenated look that can effectively roll back the clock by up to a decade on the face.

When was the Deep Plane Facelift developed?

The Deep Plane Facelift technique was pioneered in the early 1990s by Dr. Sam Hamra, a renowned plastic surgeon based in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Hamra developed this innovative approach as an alternative to traditional facelift techniques, aiming to address deeper structures of the face to achieve more natural and longer-lasting results. Since its inception, the Deep Plane Facelift has gained recognition and popularity among both plastic surgeons and patients for its ability to provide significant improvements in facial rejuvenation while minimizing the risk of a pulled or unnatural appearance.

How does a Deep Plane Facelift differ from other Facelift techniques?

The Deep Plane Facelift stands apart from other facelift techniques due to its unique approach to addressing facial aging deep down in the underlying tissues. As we have mentioned, the Deep Plane Facelift targets the deepest layer of facial tissue, known as the deep plane. This layer lies beneath the layer known as SMAS and is closer to the facial muscles responsible for movement.

The SMAS facelift is targeted to the SMAS, or Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System, a tissue layer that lies beneath the fat and skin that covers the facial muscles. During an SMAS facelift, the surgeon lifts and repositions the SMAS layer along with the upper layers to address sagging and improve facial contours. This technique does not adjust muscles or ligaments like the Deep Plane Facelift but does go deeper than a traditional facelift.

In a traditional facelift, the skin is separated from the underlying tissues, excess skin is trimmed, and the remaining skin is repositioned and tightened. Traditional facelifts may provide improvement in the midface and jowl areas but often have limited impact on addressing sagging in the neck or significant hollowing in the cheeks. 

All three of these facelift techniques have their place in the cosmetic world and may be appropriate depending on the unique needs of the patient. That said, the Deep Plane Facelift may offer the most natural-looking and comprehensive results when compared to other methods. However, this is only achievable when performed correctly by a highly skilled surgeon.

Experience Aesthetic Innovation

If you’re considering a facelift, you’ve likely come across information on the deep plane, traditional, SMAS, and even other techniques and methods. The information can sometimes be overwhelming and confusing. Which method will address the concerns most important to you? Does your particular anatomy come into play? How do you balance recovery time with level of results?

The best way to answer these questions and more is to book a personalized consultation with one of our Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeons at the Plastic Surgery Institute. Dr. Andrew Ordon, Dr. Ritu Chopra, and Dr. Nathaniel Villanueva understand that stunning results come from tailoring care based on patient goals. These skilled surgeons are highly trained in their specialties and can deliver superior results for the youthful, natural results you are seeking from cosmetic surgery.