When considering a facelift, you want to choose the one that will give you the best, most natural-looking results. Many people are only familiar with a traditional facelift and don’t know much about another option: the deep plane facelift. In this blog, we’ll tell you what you need to know about a deep plane facelift, including how it’s performed and how it compares to a traditional facelift.
What Do Traditional Facelifts and Deep Plane Facelifts Address?
A traditional facelift is a procedure that addresses the superficial levels of your face. That’s why it is also known as an SMAS facelift—it targets the superficial musculoaponeurotic system of your face, consisting of subcutaneous fat, fibrous tissue, and muscles attached to your bone and skin via four ligaments. As you age, these tissues lose elasticity and begin to droop, creating jowls and a sagging lower face. Traditional facelifts lift and tighten the SMAS portion of your face, primarily removing excess skin without much manipulation of the muscles or ligaments.
A deep plane facelift focuses on the deeper muscular planes of your face (hence the name). While it still removes excess skin, it offers more comprehensive rejuvenation than a traditional facelift. Deep plane facelifts release the ligaments of the SMAS so that they can be tightened, and other underlying muscles are also tightened to create a stronger support structure for your face. This lifts all of the tissues of the face, giving you a much younger-looking appearance.
How Is a Deep Plane Facelift Different From a Traditional Facelift?
Besides the differences mentioned above, there are a few other notable differences between a deep plane facelift and a traditional facelift, including:
Level of Correction
A deep plane facelift typically offers more rejuvenation than a traditional facelift because it tightens the underlying muscles and structure of the face, not just the skin.
Recovery Time
Even though a deep plane facelift involves manipulating the muscles of the face, the recovery times of a deep plane and a traditional facelift are similar. Recovery after a deep plane facelift may be a bit longer with slightly more swelling, but in general, you can plan on seeing your final results from either type of facelift within six to eight weeks after surgery.
Good Candidates
Ideal candidates for both a traditional and deep plane facelift are people with signs of aging in the mid and lower face, including jowls, loss of definition along the jawline, excess sagging skin, fine lines, folds, and wrinkles.
However, deep plane facelifts are a better choice for those with moderate to severe signs of aging and who have less elasticity in their skin.
How Is a Deep Plane Facelift Performed?
The first thing to know about a deep plane facelift is that it isn’t performed as often or by as many surgeons as a traditional facelift, so choosing a skilled and experienced surgeon is essential. Dr. Edmon Khoury is double board certified and has performed over 3,000 deep plane facelifts, continually improving and perfecting his technique to ensure the safest, most beautiful result.
Dr. Khoury typically performs a deep plane facelift using local anesthesia and is the only surgeon in Colorado to do so. He begins the surgery by making incisions hidden in your hairline and in the creases of your ears to minimize visible scarring. He then releases the ligaments in your face to lift (instead of pull) the tissues to a more elevated level. He tightens, secures, and repositions the other underlying muscles and fat pads as necessary. Any excess skin is also trimmed away, and the incisions are carefully closed.
Dr. Khoury also uses SmartLifting™ technology in his deep plane facelift procedures. SmartLifting™ uses ultrasound waves to manipulate the skin and muscles of your face under the surface, resulting in less trauma to the tissues of your face with gorgeous results.
Learn More About Deep Plane Facelifts in Denver, CO
If you’ve been considering facelift surgery and want to maximize your results, a deep plane facelift combined with SmartLifting™ technology is the answer. To learn more about the types of facelifts Dr. Khoury performs and which method might be suitable for you, call our office today at (720) 475-8400 or complete the online contact form.