Deep Plane Facelift
Atlanta, GA
Facial aging happens below the surface as well as in the skin. Cheek tissue can settle lower, jowls begin to interrupt the jawline, and the lower face may look heavier as deeper tissues gradually shift.
A deep plane facelift repositions those supporting structures so the lift comes from beneath the skin, allowing the surface to settle more naturally over the newly supported face. At Nip & Tuck Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, Dr. Nicholas Jones evaluates how each patient's face has aged before deciding whether a deep plane approach makes sense.
A deep plane facelift is a kind of SMAS facelift. The SMAS, or superficial musculoaponeurotic system, is a layer of connective tissue under the skin that connects with the muscles and soft tissues of the face and neck. In a deep plane facelift, the surgeon works below the SMAS in certain areas and releases specific ligaments, allowing the facial tissues that have dropped to be moved back into place.
With this method, the skin moves together with the deeper tissues, rather than being pulled tight on its own. This can help with jowls, a heavier lower face, and cheeks that have dropped, especially if the midface is treated.
Deep plane” refers to the layer of tissue where part of the surgery is done. The surgeon works under the SMAS in certain areas, releasing some ligaments so the deeper tissues can be moved.
This term alone doesn’t explain how much surgery will be done, if the neck or midface will be included, or what the final results will be. You might also hear terms like preservation deep plane facelift or preservation approach. Surgeons may use these names differently, so it’s more important to know which tissues will be released, moved, or kept in place. During a consultation, Dr. Jones can explain which technique suits your face and the reasons for his recommendation.
Loose skin is only one part of facial aging. Changes deeper under the skin often have a bigger effect on how the face looks.
Cheek tissue can drop, folds beside the nose and mouth can get deeper, and tissue above the jawline can move down and cause jowls. Ligaments and other connective tissues keep affecting where these structures sit as we age.
With a deep plane facelift, certain attachments are released so tissues that have dropped can be lifted back to a younger position. This deeper adjustment can improve the shape of the face and puts less tension on the skin.
Deep plane facelift surgery mainly helps with aging caused by tissues moving downward. Depending on how much is done, it can improve jowls, a less defined jawline, cheeks that have dropped, a heavier lower face, and deep folds beside the nose and mouth that appear as the cheeks fall.
If facial and neck surgery are done together, the procedure can also make the jawline and neck blend more smoothly. The results still depend on your facial structure, skin quality, how much the tissues have moved, and which areas are treated.
A deep plane facelift doesn’t fix every sign of aging. Drooping brows, heavy upper eyelids, bags under the eyes, sun damage, fine wrinkles, and uneven skin texture are caused by other changes. Loss of facial volume can also remain even after tissues are lifted.
These concerns may be better treated with a brow lift, eyelid surgery, fat grafting, or skin treatments. Dr. Jones looks at each issue separately to make sure every part of your plan has a clear goal.
Deep plane and SMAS facelifts are sometimes described as totally different, but a deep plane facelift is actually a type of SMAS technique. Other SMAS methods might tighten, fold, trim, or move the SMAS while treating the skin separately. In a deep plane facelift, the surgeon works under the SMAS in certain areas and releases ligaments so the deeper tissues and skin can move together more easily.
The best technique depends on where your tissues have shifted, your facial structure and skin quality, any past facial surgery, and the surgeon’s experience. Deep plane surgery isn’t always better than every well-done SMAS facelift. If you’re looking at different facelift options, you don’t have to choose one before meeting Dr. Jones. He can check where your tissues have moved and explain which method fits your needs best.
An extended deep plane facelift goes further into the midface, letting the surgeon move cheek tissue that has dropped, along with the lower face.
This extra step can help when the cheeks have fallen a lot and are causing deeper folds or a heavier look in the middle of the face. The amount of surgery should match the areas that need treatment. If your main concern is around the jawline, your plan may be different from someone whose cheeks have dropped more.
Facial and neck aging often happen at the same time, but these areas have different structures. A deep plane facelift lifts facial tissues that have dropped, while a neck lift can treat loose neck skin, weak neck muscles, visible bands, or fullness under the chin.
Dr. Jones looks at the lower face and neck together because their shapes affect each other. The amount of neck surgery depends on what is causing your concern, not just on doing it with every deep plane facelift.
For an appropriate patient, a deep plane facelift may:
Getting natural-looking results still depends on good planning, moving tissues the right way, and not overdoing the changes.
Good candidates often have noticeable tissue drooping in the cheeks, lower face, or jawline.
Jowls, a less defined jawline, deeper facial folds, or dropped cheek tissue may be reasons to think about facelift surgery if these changes bother you. Dr. Jones also checks your skin quality, facial structure, any past surgeries, medical history, nicotine use, and overall health. Age is just one factor, the condition and position of your tissues matter more when deciding if a facelift is right for you.
If you aren’t sure whether your concerns are enough for surgery, a consultation can help you see what a facelift could change, what would stay the same, and if a smaller procedure might make sense.
Deep plane facelift surgery is done under general anesthesia. The incisions are usually made around the natural lines of the ears and into the hairline, with the exact placement based on your surgical plan.
Dr. Jones works under the SMAS in the areas being treated and releases certain ligaments so the deeper tissues can be moved. If needed, neck tissues can be treated during the same surgery. After the deeper support is restored, the skin is laid back over the new shape and any extra skin is removed before closing the incisions.
How much tissue is worked on depends on each patient. Treating the midface, jawline, and neck is based on where aging has happened, not on doing the same deep plane facelift for everyone.
The tight or pulled look some people associate with facelifts often comes from how the tissues are moved and how much the skin is stretched. If the skin is pulled too much, the face can look unnatural and the incisions may be under more stress.
Deep plane techniques move most of the lifting to the tissues under the skin. Once these are supported, the skin can be laid back more naturally. This helps keep facial expressions looking normal and avoids relying on tight skin for shape.
Bruising, swelling, tightness, and some numbness are normal in the early days after surgery. Nip & Tuck's instructions include keeping your head up, avoiding hard activity, and caring for your incisions as your face starts to heal.
Most people take about two weeks before going back to work or feeling ready for social events, though healing keeps going after that. Swelling, firmness, and changes in feeling can get better over the next weeks or months. Dr. Jones checks on patients during recovery to see how the incisions and deeper tissues are healing. If you’re worried about recovery, bring your work, travel, exercise, or social plans to your consultation. Dr. Jones can explain what recovery will likely be like for the surgery he suggests.
You may see some improvement early on, but swelling can hide the final shape at first. As the swelling goes down, it becomes easier to see changes in your cheeks, jawline, and lower face, and the tissues keep softening as you heal. It takes time for the final results to show. The incisions heal and mature, swelling goes away, and the lifted tissues settle over a few months.
How Long Do Deep Plane Facelift Results Last?
Deep plane facelift results can last for many years, but the face will keep aging. Genetics, skin quality, sun exposure, weight changes, and lifestyle all affect how your face changes over time. There’s no set time when a facelift stops working.
Deep plane facial plastic surgery needs a strong understanding of facial anatomy because important nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and tissues are close to where the surgery happens.
Possible risks include bleeding, infection, scarring, uneven results, numbness, facial weakness or nerve injury, hair changes near the cuts, problems with skin healing, and issues from anesthesia. Your personal risk depends on your health, anatomy, and how much surgery is done. Dr. Jones goes over these factors before surgery so you understand the possible risks, benefits, and limits.
Other procedures can be added if they help with different signs of facial aging. A neck lift can fix loose neck skin that needs more than just moving facial tissues.
Eyelid surgery treats aging around the eyes, a brow lift raises drooping brows, and fat grafting can add volume where tissue has been lost. Combination surgery is planned based on your anatomy and overall goals. Dr. Jones checks if each procedure will help and if it makes sense to do them together.
Nicholas Jones, MD, FACS, is certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. He has trained in general surgery, microsurgery, plastic surgery, and trauma care, and has experience in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.
This background is important for a procedure that needs careful work around deep facial structures. Dr. Jones checks where tissues have dropped, how the neck and lower face connect, and how much change will keep your natural look and expression. He focuses on picking the surgery that fits you, not just following trends.
The cost of a deep plane facelift depends on how complex and extensive the surgery is. Treating the midface or neck, adding other facial procedures, anesthesia, and facility fees can all change the total price. Nip & Tuck gives you a personalized price after Dr. Jones examines your face and makes a surgical plan. This way, your estimate matches the procedure you actually need, not just an average from the internet.
You don’t have to decide on a deep plane facelift before your visit. At your consultation, Dr. Jones will look at your cheeks, jawline, face shape, and neck, and explain what is causing the changes you notice. You can talk about whether a deep plane or another SMAS technique is right for you, if the midface or neck should be included, where the incisions will go, what recovery will be like, and what changes are realistic. You’ll also get a treatment plan and a personalized price based on your evaluation.
If you’re thinking about a deep plane facelift in Atlanta, schedule a consultation with Dr. Nicholas Jones to learn more about your options and what each choice could mean for your face.
There’s no universally superior facelift technique. Modern facelift surgery includes several effective approaches to the SMAS and deeper tissues, and the appropriate one depends on facial anatomy, tissue descent, skin quality, previous surgery, and the surgeon's experience.
A deep plane facelift is a type of SMAS facelift. The surgeon works beneath the superficial musculoaponeurotic system in selected areas and releases specific attachments so deeper facial tissues can be repositioned more freely.
It may, depending on the patient. Facial and neck aging commonly occur together, but neck surgery addresses structures that differ from those treated in the facial portion of the operation. Dr. Jones determines how much neck correction is appropriate during surgical planning.
An extended deep plane approach can reposition descended cheek tissue when the midface is included. The degree of cheek correction depends on the location of the tissue descent and the extent of the surgical release.
Deep plane techniques place more of the lifting force on the deeper tissues instead of relying primarily on skin tension. The final appearance still depends on appropriate planning, tissue positioning, and how much correction suits the individual face.
Incisions are generally positioned around the natural contours of the ears and extend into the hairline. Additional incisions may be used when neck surgery is included.
Not necessarily. Recovery depends on the extent of surgery, whether the neck or other procedures are included, and how the individual patient heals.
Results can last for many years, although aging continues. Skin quality, genetics, lifestyle, weight changes, and the extent of surgery all influence longevity, so no facelift technique comes with a fixed expiration date.
