Thinking about a facelift? It’s normal to notice loose skin, folds, and sagging as the natural signs of aging take hold. A facelift can be a powerful, effective way to refresh the appearance of your face for a more lifted, youthful look. As you learn about facelifts, you might notice terms like “deep plane” or “traditional facelift” come up. Our surgeons use a variety of facelift techniques to bring each patient the most natural-looking outcome and a result that’s right for their aesthetic goals. Let’s explore the differences between deep plane and traditional facelifts to give you a sense of what might suit your needs.
What does a facelift do?
A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that lifts loose skin and tightens underlying facial muscles for a smoother, more youthful appearance. As we age, collagen production declines and the skin on our face, neck and jawline loses elasticity and can begin sagging. A skilled surgeon uses a facelift procedure to renew the appearance of your face and neck with natural-looking results. Our experienced surgical experts use refined techniques that camouflage incision points along the hairline and behind the ears. Patients often find they look 5-10 years younger after the procedure because of the way sagging skin and descending facial tissues can change the appearance of your face over time.
Differences between deep plane and traditional facelifts
When you look at your face in the mirror, imagine how the underlying musculature of the cheeks and lower face supports the skin that lies on top of it. In the same way that a blanket draped over a table assumes the shape of the table, the positioning of the skin on our faces is a result of the underlying structure that supports it. Traditional facelifts may use a combination of skin repositioning and tightening the deeper layers to lift the appearance of the mid to lower face, but they’re generally more focused on the upper layers of the facial tissues. This technique is also known as a SMAS facelift (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), and is an excellent procedure for common signs of aging like lower face sagging and jowls.
Deep plane facelifts were introduced in the 90s as an extension of the traditional surgical facelift procedure. A deep plane facelift focuses on the deeper, muscular layers of the face. Deep plane lifts also address facial skin, but they prioritize repositioning the muscles beyond the upper layers of skin and tissue to create a more lifted appearance. They are especially suited to patients with a lot of descent of the midface tissues or with deep nasolabial folds. While this procedure is more invasive and can have a longer recovery time, it can offer more dramatic results in the right candidate.
What kind of facelift is right for me?
If you’ve ever applied for a mortgage, built a stock portfolio, or purchased a car, you know that the opinion of a competent lawyer, accountant or salesperson is essential to making a well-educated choice. Surgery is even more important in this regard; your health and safety are essential, and the appearance of your surgical facelift result will be seen by everyone you meet. So while it’s great to use articles like this to get a sense of facelift procedures, you don’t have to make this decision alone. The surgical technique, type of facelift, and the details of the procedure you choose are based on a number of variables, including your age, skin laxity, aesthetic goals, health conditions, surgical history, and more. Each surgery is incredibly personal, and the facelift that’s right for you will meet your aesthetic goals while prioritizing a beautiful, natural result. Choose the right surgical procedure with the guidance of an experienced, board certified, well-educated surgeon who you fully trust.
How long is the recovery time for deep plane and traditional facelifts?
In general, facelift recovery requires 6-8 weeks of healing until you’re fully back in the swing of things. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and you’ll be able to go home within 24-48 hours following surgery. You’ll need to wear a compression garment full time for two weeks, and at nighttime only for another two weeks. Some swelling and bruising is normal after any surgery. Typically 80% of this fades within three weeks, but the last remnants can persist for up to a few months, so we suggest planning well in advance of any important events. Your recovery depends on the nuances of your surgery, but in general a traditional facelift tends to have a shorter healing time than a deep plane facelift.
Have a question about facelifts? Book a consultation today.
Dr. Brandt, Dr. Somogyi and Dr. Jalil are known for crafting beautiful results, and they’ll walk you through your surgical journey from the first consultation through to aftercare. Explore a gallery of real facelift results from FORM patients here and book your consultation today.
