Deep Plane Facelift vs. Traditional Facelift: What’s the Difference?
As we age, the structures deep beneath the skin shift, softening our facial contours and diminishing jawline definition. And when the mirror no longer reflects how young you feel inside, you might begin considering a facelift.
However, as Dr. Denton Watumull, a board-certified plastic surgeon with Regional Plastic Surgery Center, cautions: “While this procedure can help restore your youthful vibrance, the technique you choose will have a tremendous impact on your results. That’s why, as you begin exploring options, it’s important to understand the difference between deep plane facelift vs. traditional facelift surgeries.”
Why Facelift Technique Matters
Over time, our skin loses its elasticity and deeper structural support. As the network of muscles known as the Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System (SMAS) descends, along with underlying fat, you may notice drooping cheeks, deepening lines, and sagging around your jawline.
Both a traditional facelift and a deep plane facelift can help address these concerns, but they do so in different ways and achieve different results.
What Is a Traditional Facelift?
“A traditional facelift works by lifting and tightening the lower face and neck in two layers,” says Dr. Watumull. First, the surgeon lifts and tightens the SMAS layer, then carefully places the skin over the newly contoured framework and removes any excess skin to create a smoother, more taut appearance.
A traditional facelift is effective for treating:
- The lower face, jawline, and neck
- Mild to moderate signs of aging
What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?
“A deep plane facelift, on the other hand, is a more advanced approach that treats the skin and underlying structures as a single unit,” informs Dr. Watumull. By lifting and repositioning the SMAS and fat compartments simultaneously, this technique helps restore midface volume without placing additional tension on the skin, ensuring more natural-looking, longer-lasting results.
A deep plane facelift is best for treating:
- The midface, nasolabial folds (which bracket the mouth), and jawline
- Moderate to advanced signs of aging
(Curious what a deep plane facelift can do? Check out these incredible results.)
Key Differences Between Deep Plane and Traditional Facelifts
Here is a helpful comparison of these two popular facelift techniques:
| Deep Plane Facelift | Traditional Facelift | |
| Surgical Approach | Lifts and repositions deeper facial structures beneath the SMAS layer | Tightens skin and the SMAS layer separately |
| Primary Focus | Midface, cheeks, jawline, and nasolabial folds | Lower face, jawline, and neck |
| Depth of Correction | Addresses deeper tissue descent for structural rejuvenation | Primarily addresses surface-level aging |
| Skin Tension | Minimal tension on the skin | Greater reliance on skin tightening |
| Results Appearance | Typically more natural, refreshed look | Effective but may appear tighter if overcorrected |
| Longevity of Results | Long-lasting results due to deeper tissue repositioning | Long-lasting, though may be slightly less durable |
| Recovery Time | Similar to or slightly longer than a traditional facelift | Standard facelift recovery timeline |
| Scar Placement | Hidden along natural hairlines and creases | Hidden along hairlines and around the ears |
| Ideal Candidates | Moderate to advanced facial aging, especially midface sagging | Mild to moderate facial aging |
| Ability to Address Nasolabial Folds (Smile Lines) | More effective improvement | Limited improvement |
| Customization Options | Often combined with a neck lift or fat grafting | Easily combined with neck lift or eyelid surgery |
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Each Facelift Technique?
“Ultimately, the best facelift technique depends on your facial anatomy and the results you’re hoping to achieve,” Dr. Watumull shares.
Here’s a quick overview of ideal candidate criteria for each of these types of facelifts:
Traditional facelift candidates
- Have mild to moderate skin laxity along the neck and jawline
- Show early jowl formation with limited softening in the mid-face
- Possess good skin elasticity
Deep plane facelift candidates
- Have moderate to advanced laxity in the cheeks and jawline
- Exhibit noticeable heaviness around the nasolabial folds
- Are willing to undergo a more advanced procedure for longer-lasting results
Can Deep Plane and Traditional Facelifts Be Combined with Other Procedures?
For a more harmonious, comprehensive facial rejuvenation, patients often combine their facelift with other cosmetic procedures such as:
- Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
- Brow lift
- Neck lift
- Laser resurfacing
Consult with a Facial Surgeon to Choose the Right Facelift
The best way to ensure natural-looking facelift results is to choose an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Watumull, with advanced expertise in facial rejuvenation. And if you’re hoping to undergo facelift surgery in Texas, you’ll be happy to know that Regional Plastic Surgery Center is home to some of the best plastic surgeons in the country.
Schedule your consultation with a leading Texas facelift surgeon today.
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