What Even Is a Deep-Plane Facelift?
What Even Is a Deep-Plane Facelift?
For better or for worse, we’ve come a long way from shaming every celebrity who gets plastic surgery. Just look at the hullabaloo surrounding the transformation of Kris Jenner — who just this week admitted to getting a facelift done by Dr. Steven Levine. Not to mention Donatella Versace, Lindsay Lohan, and Anne Hathaway (for the record, Donatella, Lohan, and Hathaway have not admitted to going under the knife, but something has changed on their faces). Even Kylie Jenner was called a “girl’s girl” for revealing her boob-job order a few days ago. However, we, as a society, are still just as obsessed with trying to figure out what exactly those celebrities have done, and internet sleuths are currently accusing every other star of undergoing a deep-plane facelift, a term that has entered the public consciousness in the past year or so.
Apparently, these aren’t completely misguided theories. “The deep-plane facelift delivers results that are powerful and natural,” Dr. Akshay Sanan, a board-certified plastic surgeon. “Celebrities, public figures, and high-profile individuals are having it done quietly. If someone looks amazing for their age, chances are they’ve had a facelift — most likely a deep plane. It’s the ‘not too much’ look people are chasing.”
But what exactly is a deep-plane facelift? How are they different from traditional facelifts? And the question on everyone’s minds: How much are people shelling out for the procedure? Answers to all of that and more below.
So, what’s so special about a deep-plane facelift?
Originally, facelifts focused on pulling the skin back, according to Dr. Darrick Antell, board-certified plastic surgeon. This smoothed the skin, sure, but it also ended up with some people looking stretched and overly tight — something about it would seem odd, even if you couldn’t put your finger on why. “The problem is that traditional skin lifts may be easier to perform, but they can make people look too tight, giving that artificial, over-pulled, overdone look,” says Dr. Bob Basu, a board-certified plastic surgeon and president-elect of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “In some cases, it can unnaturally change your appearance. When you see that unnatural crease line horizontally on the corner of the mouth, that’s typically a telltale sign.”
Nowadays, doctors perform two main types of facelifts: the SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic) facelift and the deep-plane facelift. While a SMAS procedure readjusts the superficial layer of muscle in your face, a deep plane facelift goes even deeper. Over the course of three to six hours (or longer if you’re also doing things like a brow lift or eyelid surgery), surgeons “release key ligaments and lift the facial structure from underneath,” explains Dr. Sanan. Meanwhile, the skin on top stays attached to the muscle that’s being moved. “There is no pulling of the skin,” Dr. Basu says. “This technique helps to reposition your facial anatomy to what it was ten to 20 years ago.” If there’s any excess fat under the neck, they can remove that, too, for a sharper, more taut jawline. As a result, doctors report that the results are more natural-looking and last longer.
What’s the downtime after a deep-plane facelift?
A facelift is a major surgery, and if everything we’ve described scares you, I’m right there with you. Dr. Sanan says that “social downtime” can last up to two weeks to allow bruising and swelling to fully subside. Make sure not to lift anything heavy or exert yourself too much for that time. But in terms of pain, Dr. Basu reports that over 90 percent of patients can get by with a Tylenol here and there. “Typically, you should be fine to work from home within two to three days after your surgery,” he says. “If you have video calls and you have a little bit of bruising, you can use some concealer, or maybe for a few days, your ‘camera’s not working.’”
What are the risks associated with deep-plane facelifts?
First of all, this is your one and only face — you should always go to a trusted doctor with plenty of training and experience. Even still, there’s always the risk of infection, scarring, and nerve injury. “Potential complications include temporary nerve injury, facial weakness, or numbness, which resolves in weeks to months, but permanent nerve injury is extremely, extremely rare,” says Dr. Basu.
As with any sort of surgery, taking enough time afterwards to recover properly is also important. “The worst thing you can do is have surgery and fail to plan ahead for the recovery,” Dr. Basu adds. “I always remind patients that what you do after your surgery is equally important as what is done by me during surgery.”
How much do deep-plane facelifts cost?
The price tag is going to vary depending on the doctor and the patient. Including fees for the surgeon, operating room, anesthesia, and post-procedure care, it could range from $30,000 to $200,000 in the U.S., according to Dr. Sanan. If you were to go to him for what he calls a “full facial rejuvenation” (which includes a deep-plane facelift, neck lift, brow lift, and eyelid surgery at the same time), it would cost you about $90,000.
Who’s a good candidate for a deep-plane facelift?
If you’re chomping at the bit to schedule an appointment, just know that not everyone is a fit for a deep-plane lift, especially if you have certain health conditions or are on the younger side. “For younger patients or those with mild to moderate neck laxity, whether they have a little excess fat or even more fullness but still good skin tone, we may be able to treat the neck using a radio-frequency-assisted liposuction,” says Dr. Basu. But if you’re in your 40s to 70s and are concerned about loose skin, jowling, and the descent of facial tissue that comes with age, it may be worth a consultation.
How long do deep-plane facelifts last?
According to Dr. Sanan, they last anywhere from ten to 15 years. “You’ll continue to age, but on a younger baseline,” he says. “The lift repositions, not just stretches, your facial structure.” Of course, genetics and how well you take care of your skin and body afterward play a role, too. A facelift can’t magically stop aging and prevent collagen production from declining, Dr. Basu explains. However, you can slow the process down with a nutritious diet, a proper skin-care routine, and other non-invasive aesthetic procedures like microneedling, laser, and radio-frequency treatments.
Our experts:
Dr. Akshay Sanan, board-certified plastic surgeon
Dr. Bob Basu, board-certified plastic surgeon and president-elect of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Dr. Darrick Antell, board-certified plastic surgeon
