Deep Plane Facelift
Considering a facelift? Houston facial plastic surgeon Dr. Athré performs the deep plane facelift technique to provide a longer-lasting and more natural-looking result compared to older techniques.
About the Deep Plane Facelift
There are numerous types of face lifts. In recent times, a lot of buzz has been created around the deep plane lift. The deep plane lift is the type of lift that we have performed in our office for more than 15 years.
So, what is it? What makes it special?
What is a deep plane facelift?
A deep plane face and neck lift is a cosmetic surgery that creates a plane deep to the SMAS layer and platysma layer to lift dropped tissues of the face and neck.
The plane that is created in the face is also created in the neck. The SMAS layer of the face is continuous with the platysma layer in the neck. Dissection in the neck is performed deep to the platysma, resulting in a deep plane neck lift as well. The deep plane is the plane deep to the platysma and the SMAS.
Why do a deep plane lift?
Dissecting under the SMAS layer or the platysma layer allows the surgeon to divide all of the facial retaining ligaments. These ligaments are what hold the soft tissue to the actual bony skull. (See Dr. Athre’s Video on Facial Anatomy) Patients with severe aging need these ligaments to be divided to get an appropriate amount of lift in the tissues.
Failure to release these ligaments will result in: (a) an inadequate lift, (b) rapid failure of the lift. Most surgeons inadequately resect these ligaments because releasing these ligaments involves an intimate understanding of facial anatomy and a great amount of surgical skill and expertise. You are very close to nerves of facial expression, and therefore utmost care and precision must be exercised.
By dissecting out these ligaments, there is no opposition to the lift. The facial tissues are completely free to move, and you can achieve an amazing lift that is natural appearing, soft, and with no tension on the skin. Furthermore, the dissected deep plane can be precisely lifted and attached discrete points on the face to achieve the most natural result.
The advantages and disadvantages of a deep plane lift
The primary advantages of a deep plane facelift are:
- Natural looking result without over-pulled/windswept look
- Ability to completely rejuvenate the midface, jawline, AND neck
- Longevity – longest duration
- Definition of the jaw
- The only lift that will rejuvenate the smile line (nasolabial fold)
- The only lift that will allow concurrent rejuvenation of the midface and lower eyelid region (unlike a traditional facelift)
On a similar note, the disadvantages of a deep plane lift are:
- Requires increased surgical skill
- Requires increased surgical experience
- Surgery takes longer
Note that the risks associated with a deep plane lift performed by someone who is well versed with the technique are EXACTLY the same as the other techniques. Despite increased dissection and proximity to vital nerves, there is NO INCREASED RISK IN DEEP PLANE surgery over other facelift surgery techniques. In sum, experience matters, and if done well, a deep plane lift is the best option for facial rejuvenation.
“In my opinion, the best facelift result is smooth and natural and stands the test of time. The deep plane technique provides reliable results that can look good for years to come.”
– Dr. Athré
Who is a candidate for deep lifting of the face and neck?
The most important characteristic for a deep plane facelift patient is medical history. Patients need to be healthy and have good control of chronic medical problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
Patients with:
- Moderate to severe aging in the midface. This can be seen with the malar fat pad falling, increased prominence of bony orbital rim, and cheek fullness lower in the face. This can also be seen with deep melolabial folds
- Moderate to severe aging along the jawline. This is characterized with significant soft tissue along the jawline that hides the definition of the jawline. Patients also complain of jowls and a deepened marionette line
- Moderate to severe aging in the neck. Patients usually complain of a double chin, excess fat in the neck, and possible platysmal bands in the neck. Simple skin excess in the neck may be addressed with a RT Mini Facelift
Two views of before and after a deep plane facelift. This patient required a deep plane facelift due to the severe aging in the midface, jawline, and neck. You can clearly see the re-establishment of the heart shaped young face with the volume on the cheek bone, and definition in the lower part of the face.
Why Choose Dr. Athré
Dr. Raghu Athré is an expert in deep plane face lifting techniques for his Houston patients. Dr. Athré’s advanced anesthesia techniques allow the deep plane face lift to be performed under local anesthesia with oral sedation to minimize bruising and swelling, and minimize down time experienced by patients.
See a Video of This Surgery
Advanced Technique
The deep plane facelift is the hardest lift with respect to technical expertise required and the hardest lift to achieve perfect local anesthesia. Because of these reasons, many surgeons shy away from deep plane or sub-SMAS facelifts. But if you want to maximize the longevity of your facelift, a deep plane facelift is likely your best option. Seek out a surgeon with experience in this technique.
Before & After Photos
Deep Plane vs. Other Facelifts
Many surgeons offer types of lifts called “Band-Aid Lifts” or “Lunchtime Lifts.” By lifting the skin from the underlying layers, pulling the skin back, trimming the skin, and closing the incision, the immediate results can look quite good. This is a skin only facelift or cutaneous facelift. However, skin-only lifts last only 6 months to 1 year.
Traditional SMAS lifts performed by other surgeons (AKA SMAS suspension techniques) usually just pull the SMAS layer. Without releasing the underlying attachments and allowing the SMAS to be repositioned without tension makes traditional SMAS suspension lifts last less with less natural looking results.
The RT Mini Facelift also lifts a portion of the SMAS layer and is designed for patients with mild signs of aging. In essence the RT Mini Facelift is a Mini Deep Plane Lift.
The green area shows the extent of dissection of a deep plane face lift and deep plane neck lift.
Schedule a Consultation
Telephone No.281-557-3223