Facelifts are among the most popular cosmetic procedures in the world, and for good reason—they successfully make patients look and feel much younger than their birth certificates say. However, all facelift procedures are no longer equal, as Dr. Bellamy discusses here.
For anyone considering a facelift, an understanding of how traditional facelifts and modern techniques, such as a deep plane facelift, differ is essential. Dr. Justin Bellamy, one of Palm Beach’s premier aesthetic plastic surgeons, is here to help. To arrange your facelift surgery consultation with one of the best surgeons in the nation, call (561) 705-0044 or request a consultation now.
What Is a Traditional Facelift?
A traditional facelift, medically known as a Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System (SMAS) facelift, is an aesthetic surgery, which reduces the signs of aging such as sagging skin, deep lines, and wrinkles.
The SMAS facelift works by targeting the deeper layers of the skin and the underlying muscle tissue that is responsible for the majority of our facial contours and how we express our emotions.
In a traditional SMAS facelift, the surgeon makes an incision around the temples. This incision extends down and around the front of the ears, and it is through this incision that excess skin is lifted, repositioned, and trimmed to create a smoother, tighter facial countenance.
What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?
A deep plane facelift is a more advanced variation of the traditional facelift because it works on a deeper level of musculature and addresses the fatty tissue and muscles underneath the SMAS layer. The main goal of a deep plane facelift is to give patients more natural-looking and long-lasting anti-aging results when compared to a SMAS facelift.
In a deep plane facelift, the surgeon works beneath the SMAS layer, releasing and repositioning the deeper facial tissues. This technique allows the surgeon to lift and reshape the entire facial unit, including the muscles, fat, and skin, as a single, connected layer. As a result, deep plane facelifts address more exaggerated facial sagging and drooping than a traditional SMAS facelift, offering a more comprehensive rejuvenation.
How Does the Deep Plane Facelift Technique Offer Enhanced Facial Rejuvenation Compared to SMAS Facelift?
The deep plane facelift offers several enhancements over the traditional SMAS Facelift. It targets deeper facial structures, enabling more comprehensive rejuvenation by correcting significant sagging, especially in the midface area. This approach allows for natural, youthful contours without producing an “overdone” look.
Since the deep plane facelift focuses on repositioning underlying tissues rather than pulling the skin, it typically results in less visible scarring and a more natural-looking outcome. Moreover, by dealing with the root cause of sagging and volume loss, the results are often more durable, providing a longer-lasting rejuvenation compared to a SMAS Facelift.
However, as a more complex procedure, it requires a highly skilled surgeon and should be chosen in consultation with a professional, considering the patient’s specific needs and goals.
Are the Results of a Deep Plane Facelift Longer Lasting Than Those of SMAS Facelift?
Yes, the results of a deep plane facelift are longer-lasting compared to those of a SMAS Facelift. As a deep plane facelift acts on the foundational musculature of the face, it directly addresses the source of sagging and volume loss rather than merely tightening the skin as a SMAS traditional facelift does. Patients can expect the results of their traditional SMAS facelift to last between 5 to 10 years, whereas the results from a deep plane facelift last between 10 to 15 years.
What Makes the Deep Plane Facelift Technique Capable of Delivering a More Natural and Youthful Appearance?
The deep plane facelift technique offers patients more natural-looking results than a traditional facelift because the procedure treats the face as a whole—not just the overlying skin. This is because the procedure acts on the midface area—the cheeks, around the nose, and the jowls, which are generally the first areas to show signs of aging.
Why Should One Consider Choosing a Deep Plane Facelift Instead of a Traditional SMAS Facelift?
There are several very good reasons why a patient considering facelift surgery should opt for a deep plane facelift instead of a traditional facelift.
Comprehensive Rejuvenation
It provides a more comprehensive rejuvenation by addressing the deeper structures of the face. It not only lifts and tightens the skin but also repositions the underlying muscles and fat, which can result in more substantial improvements in facial sagging.
Natural, Youthful Appearance
By operating on the “deep plane” beneath the SMAS layer, this technique can restore natural, youthful contours to the face without an overly exaggerated or “pulled” look. It focuses particularly on the midface area, which is often the first to show signs of aging.
Less Visible Scarring
There is typically less tension on the skin when the incisions are closed, which can result in less visible scarring compared to a traditional SMAS Facelift.
Long-Lasting Results
Due to the deeper correction, the results of a deep plane facelift often last longer than those of a SMAS facelift, offering more durable rejuvenation.
What Advancements in Facial Surgery Contribute to the Benefits of the Deep Plane Facelift Technique?
A better understanding of facial anatomy, more precise surgical techniques and instruments, safer surgical practice, and better healing and recovery procedures all make it possible for surgeons to move beyond the traditional facelift and start performing deep plane operations.
Deep Plane Facelift in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Committing to facelift surgery is a major life decision. Patients should strive to get the best procedure possible to help them achieve their goals. For some, a traditional facelift might be the correct option, but in most cases, a deep plane facelift will give patients more desirable, and longer-lasting results. Dr. Bellamy is one of the finest surgeons offering deep plane facelift techniques, and the best way to decide on your ideal course of action is to have an open discussion with him about your aesthetic desires and life goals. Reach out to Dr. Bellamy now to have a confidential, one-on-one consultation and start your facelift journey the right way.
