When many people hear “facelift,” they picture the stretched, windswept look from decades past. But facial rejuvenation has come a long way. Today, the deep plane facelift is the gold standard for patients who want to turn back the clock without looking like they’ve been in a wind tunnel.
At Facial Cosmetic Surgery Associates, Dr. Kaniff specializes in this sophisticated procedure, helping patients achieve natural-looking results that last. We will walk you through what a deep plane facelift involves, how it differs from other types of facelift, and why so many people in their 30s and beyond are choosing it as their answer to facial aging.
Understanding the Basics of a Facelift
Before we talk about the deep plane technique, it helps to understand what a facelift actually does. A traditional facelift primarily focuses on tightening the skin and sometimes addressing the superficial muscle layer beneath it. While this method can provide noticeable improvement, it often results in a “pulled” look because it doesn’t address the deeper structures of the face where sagging originates.
What Makes a Deep Plane Facelift Different?
The deep plane facelift is distinct because it targets not just the skin, but also the underlying SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) and facial ligaments. These structures form the supportive framework of your face, and over time, they begin to sag due to age, genetics, and environmental factors. By repositioning these deeper tissues, rather than simply tightening the skin, surgeons achieve a more natural and longer-lasting result. Patients often notice improvement in sagging cheeks, deep nasolabial folds, jowls, and neck laxity.
The Anatomy of the Procedure: Step by Step
So what exactly happens during a deep plane facelift? Here’s a closer look at what surgeons like Dr. Kaniff actually do:
Incision Placement
First, small incisions are made along your hairline and around your ears. These are strategically placed where your skin’s natural creases and your hair can camouflage them later.
Accessing the Deep Plane
Instead of stopping at the skin or superficial tissue, Dr. Kaniff dissects beneath the SMAS layer to reach the “deep plane.” Not every surgeon has the training or experience to work at this level. It requires a high degree of technical skill and a thorough understanding of facial anatomy.
Releasing Ligaments
The ligaments that hold your facial tissues in place are released. This might sound intimidating, but it’s what allows Dr. Kaniff to reposition everything without creating tension or that pulled look.
Repositioning and Lifting
The deeper tissues, including fat pads and muscle layers, are gently lifted and repositioned. This restores youthful contours to your cheeks and jawline.
Skin Redraping
Once the foundation is corrected, Dr. Kaniff smooths the skin over the repositioned tissues. Excess skin is trimmed away.
Closure and Recovery
Dr. Kaniff closes the Incisions using techniques intended to minimize scarring. After surgery, mild bruising and swelling are expected but will subside within a couple of weeks. Most patients feel comfortable resuming social activities within three weeks. As the deeper tissues settle, your results continue to refine, with final results visible after a few months.
The Benefits of a Deep Plane Facelift
Patients who undergo this procedure often report that friends and family comment on how refreshed they look without realizing they’ve had surgery. Benefits include:
Natural Results
Because the surgery works beneath the surface, results look refreshed instead of overly tightened. This ensures patients maintain their unique facial character without the “windblown” effect.
Comprehensive Rejuvenation
The procedure addresses multiple areas at once, including the midface, jawline, and neck. Patients notice a balanced improvement that creates overall harmony rather than isolated changes.
Long-Lasting Outcomes
By repositioning deeper structures, results typically last 10 to 15 years, far longer than skin-only facelifts. This makes it a worthwhile investment for patients seeking durable rejuvenation.
Volume Restoration
Lifting the deeper tissues naturally restores fullness to the cheeks while smoothing folds around the mouth. Instead of stretching skin, the technique rebuilds youthful contours from within.
Who Is a Candidate for a Deep Plane Facelift?
This procedure is best suited for individuals in their 30s and beyond who are experiencing noticeable signs of aging. Common concerns include sagging cheeks, deep smile lines, jowls, or loose skin along the neck. Patients should be in good overall health and realistic about what surgery can achieve.
Unlike non-surgical treatments such as fillers or skin tightening devices, a facelift offers structural correction that simply cannot be replicated with injectables alone. For those ready for a more definitive solution, the deep plane facelift is often the ideal choice.
Why Choose Dr. Kaniff for Your Deep Plane Facelift?
Thomas E. Kaniff, MD, FACS, is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who has performed more than 25,000 surgeries over the past 25 years. Fellowship-trained in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, he focuses exclusively on procedures of the face and neck, including facelifts and rhinoplasty, ensuring natural, balanced results through a combination of technical skill and artistic vision. Dr. Kaniff is certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Rediscover Confidence with the Deep Plane Facelift
A deep plane facelift goes beyond skin tightening to restore the very framework of the face. By addressing the SMAS and facial ligaments, it delivers natural, long-lasting rejuvenation of the cheeks, jawline, and neck. With Dr. Kaniff’s expertise in this specialized technique, patients at Facial Cosmetic Surgery Associates can achieve results that look refreshed, not operated on.
If you’re ready to look as youthful as you feel, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kaniff today and explore how a deep plane facelift can transform your appearance with lasting, natural results.
