Deep Plane Facelift

A deep plane facelift is a variation of the traditional facelift procedure that is designed to target and tighten the deeper underlying layers of facial tissue to restore a tighter, smoother, and more youthful-looking appearance in the face and neck. Traditional facelifts tighten the outermost layer of skin and the super musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) layers of the skin separately, which can sometimes result in an unnatural or overly-tightened appearance. The deep plane facelift bypasses this by tightening the deeper layers as a unit, resulting in a more natural and youthful-looking appearance. The results of a deep plane facelift often last longer as well.

Dr. Richard Chaffoo is the Founder of La Jolla Plastic Surgery and Dermatology and one of America’s Few Triple Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons. With over 30 years of experience, he has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including Top Plastic Surgeon by Castle Connolly, an honor bestowed upon only 5% of plastic surgeons in the U.S. Always at the forefront of hair restoration and dermatology, his practice is consistently testing new technologies to advance the field of plastic surgery. Additionally, La Jolla Plastic Surgery and Dermatology is the only hair restoration practice in the USA under the co-direction of both a triple board-certified plastic surgeon and a board-certified dermatologist.

Dr. Susan Stuart is the co-founder of La Jolla Plastic Surgery and Dermatology, as well as a board-certified dermatologist and hair restoration superspecialist. A leader in her field, she not only teaches other physicians about new, groundbreaking treatments but also works with the medical device industry to test new and exciting technology.

To schedule your consultation at any one of our Southern California locations, please contact us online. To speak to a member of our team or schedule a consultation over the phone, please call the office most convenient for you:

About Facial Aging

The skin is the largest organ in the body, covering its entire external surface, and as such, gets exposed to new factors every day. As time passes, these different factors can wear on the skin, including gravity, aging, stress, and environmental factors, which can cause one’s facial skin to lose its elasticity and structure. ⁽¹⁾ This can lead to the appearance of sagging skin around the face and neck, deepened smile lines, lost facial volume, as well as a loss of jawline definition. Dr. Chaffoo can address each of these concerns by performing a deep plane facelift, restoring a more youthful appearance to each patient.

Benefits

A deep plane facelift can provide patients with numerous benefits, enhancing both their physical appearance and emotional well-being. These benefits include the following:

Candidates

Ideal candidates for a deep plane facelift include individuals experiencing sagging facial skin, deep nasolabial folds, or jowling, who wish to restore a tighter, more youthful-looking appearance. A deep plane facelift can also effectively address festoons, or undereye puffiness, as well as facial dimpling. All candidates interested in a deep plane facelift should be in good overall health and free from any underlying medical conditions that may inhibit healing. Realistic expectations should also be held regarding the outcomes of the procedure. Dr. Chaffoo will determine each patient’s eligibility for treatment during their personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

The first step to facial rejuvenation is attending a consultation at any one of our Southern California locations. During this meeting, Dr. Chaffoo will discuss the details of a deep plane facelift and get to know each patient on a more personal level, conversing openly with them about their medical history, concerns, and desired results. He will also evaluate each patient’s facial anatomy and skin condition. Using this information, he will craft each patient’s facial rejuvenation plan, tailoring certain aspects to address each concern and ensure personalized outcomes. Patients are encouraged to prepare and ask questions, as well as voice any concerns, as each consultation is designed to be informative, empowering, and collaborative.

To schedule your consultation with Dr. Chaffoo, please contact us online. To speak to a member of our team or schedule a consultation over the phone, please call the office most convenient for you:

Preparation

In preparation for their deep plane facelift, each patient will receive a set of personalized instructions from Dr. Chaffoo. These instructions are designed to help each patient prepare their body for the procedure, facilitating a smooth recovery and the best possible results.

Each individual will be asked to temporarily refrain from using certain medications and supplements, especially those containing blood-thinning properties. Unprotected sun exposure and the use of tanning beds should be stopped, as well as a complete cessation of nicotine use until each patient has fully recovered.

Because anesthesia is being used, patients will need to arrange for transportation home after their procedure, as well as time off from work and other social commitments to focus on their recovery.

Procedure

Each patient’s deep plane facelift will begin with their skin being cleansed and sanitized before general anesthesia is administered to ensure a pain-free procedure. Once in effect, Dr. Chaffoo will carefully place incisions around the natural skin creases near the hairline or behind the ears to help limit and minimize any potential visible scarring.

The underlying layers of muscle will then be lifted to expose and separate the deep plane. These muscles reposition and tighten the super musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), which allows for comprehensive facial contouring and tightening. Dr. Chaffoo will release the retaining ligaments that keep the muscle attached, elevating the position of the SMAS layer and deep plane as one unit. This creates comprehensive results and preserves the rejuvenating effects much longer than in comparison to other facelifting techniques. ⁽²⁾ From there, any excess skin or tissue is excised, and if needed, the neck will be tightened and recontoured. Once Dr. Chaffoo achieves each patient’s desired results, each incision will be closed, and the patient will be left under the care of our team to rest as any remaining anesthesia wears off.

Recovery

After each patient’s deep plane facelift, Dr. Chaffoo’s recovery instructions must be followed. Throughout the initial recovery phase, it is common for patients to experience swelling, bruising, or mild discomfort. These effects are temporary and will dissipate on their own, but they may be managed using pain medications under the guidance of Dr. Chaffoo. It is recommended that each patient rest with their head elevated to minimize any further swelling.

Most patients can return to work after approximately two weeks, but will need to continue avoiding high-intensity activities or physical exercises for several more weeks. Throughout each individual’s recovery, Dr. Chaffoo may also ask them to return to the office to help remove sutures and monitor their progress.

Results

While patients may notice a significant difference in their appearance shortly after their procedure, the full results of their deep plane facelift will become more apparent after three to six months, once any residual swelling has subsided. ⁽³⁾ Patients can enjoy tighter, smoother skin and a more youthful-looking appearance. The cheekbones and jawline will be sharp and defined, and wrinkles, creases, and other visual signs of aging will be diminished. The results of a deep plane facelift can last for years, with many patients experiencing their results for over a decade.

Corresponding Procedures

Blepharoplasty

A blepharoplasty, also known as an eyelid lift, is a procedure that restores a more energetic and refreshed appearance in each patient’s face. As collagen and elastin decrease naturally over time, the eyelids can start to droop, and patients may experience under-eye puffiness. Dr. Chaffoo can address each of these issues, leaving the skin tighter and smoother. He can perform this procedure on either the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both within one procedure.

Cost of Deep Plane Facelift in San Diego

The cost of each deep plane facelift can depend on several factors, as each procedure is tailored to address the patient’s unique concerns and anatomy. This level of personalization can make it difficult for our team to provide an early cost estimate. Dr. Chaffoo will discuss the cost of each patient’s procedure with them and provide a written estimation once a treatment plan has been established. Additionally, La Jolla Plastic Surgery and Dermatology offers each patient various financing options through several reputable providers. Our patient care coordinators will be more than happy to discuss each patient’s options with them during their personal consultation.

FAQ

References

1. Yousef H, Alhajj M, Sharma S. Anatomy, Skin (Integument), Epidermis. PubMed. Published June 8, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470464/
2. Raggio BS, Patel BC. Deep Plane Facelift. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545277/
3. Yang AJ, Hohman MH. Rhytidectomy. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564338/