Deep Plane Facelift

For results that go deeper—and last longer—a deep plane facelift offers unmatched rejuvenation. This advanced technique lifts below the surface for natural, elegant outcomes that restore youthful contours without looking pulled or overdone.

Experience the Gold Standard in Facial Rejuvenation With a Deep Plane Facelift

The deep plane facelift is one of the most advanced surgical techniques in aesthetic medicine. It delivers transformative results by lifting the foundational structures of the face, not just the skin. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons at Southern Surgical Arts specialize in this sophisticated approach to address sagging cheeks, deep folds, and jowling with exceptional precision.

The result is a refreshed, youthful appearance that looks entirely natural, never tight or altered. If you’re seeking long-lasting facial rejuvenation with minimal tension and maximum elegance, the deep plane facelift may be your ideal solution. Our team will guide you through every step with expertise, transparency, and care.

Patient Testimonials

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“From start to finish, the whole experience was top-notch. Everything was described in detail. I felt very welcome and calm the whole time. The staff was extraordinary. I love the c...

“Dr. Gardner exceeded my expectations. He was thorough and meticulous, and he went above and beyond explaining every detail of the procedure and going over possible options. He wasn...

“The staff was excellent; the office space was beautiful and comfortable. Procedures were explained thoroughly, and I never felt pressured into anything. If anything, Dr. Deal tried...

“Most Dr. visits result in high anxiety for most. This visit was actually fun. Not only educational but the staff was great. My Dr. was honest, and fun to talk to. I’m more th...

“The customer service was wonderful. Dr. Gardner made me feel comfortable, was extremely knowledgeable & professional, and answered most of my questions before I could even ask!...

“Very satisfied! Dr. Kluska is amazing! He told me what I needed to keep a natural look, which is what I desire. I couldn’t be happier with my results and look forward to seei...

“The end result of my procedures looks very natural and did not change the basic position of my mouth and eyes (which is very important to me). The staff is very competent and effic...

“They go over all options and make sure you know what to expect, as well as check up on you after surgery. [Single best thing is…] letting me know what exactly was going to h...

“Professional. Respectful of my body and me as a woman. Respectful of my body and me as a woman. Caring. He seems to truly care about my needs and health more than just another tumm...

“Great service all around as usual. Good to have the staff and Dr. recognize me from previous appointments. Made me feel welcome.

“The staff treated me as a patient and not a number. They knew me by name when I showed up for surgery. It is nice to have that because it is extremely rare these days.

“Dr. Deal and all the staff were very professional, friendly, and courteous, which put me at ease right away. All of my questions were answered, and I was encouraged to call at any ...

“Dr. Deal & the staff made me feel very comfortable in my decision to have a breast augmentation. All my questions were thoroughly answered. My surgery was quick & I’m...

“The staff was great and always accommodating. I was very nervous and I never felt as they did not have time to answer my questions. I love my results. The best decision I’ve ...

“Dr. Kluska was very patient and thorough with his explanation and recommendations for surgery. He showed concern about my health and how it possibly could affect the surgery recove...

“Dr. Kluska is an exacting professional with an artist eye and an honest, kind bedside manner. All of the staff has been very professional and I am very pleased with the work I had ...

“Great individualized care – compassion and was given great information on products/procedure to allow me to make an informed decision. Was welcomed from the moment I walked i...

“From the time I walked through the doors the staff was extremely friendly. When my name was called I was made to feel very comfortable and listened to by the nurse. The doctor came...

“Dr. Deal was very informative. He could tell I was nervous and eased me into the consult. Any question I asked he answered thoroughly. His team was great as well. Very kind and war...

“Doc D has a true passion for what he does. His excitement, paired with his skill and artistry, gave me results that I never dreamed possible. Over the last few years, without even ...

“I got what I wanted basically.. no fuss. Besides that, of course, I was treated with a highly qualified physician and staff every step of the way. From the front desk through to as...

“I researched very carefully, talked to many people, and concluded that Dr. Deal and Southern Surgical Arts were the right fit for me and my surgical needs. Liposuction, like any ot...

“Having my breast augmentation has helped me feel like my old self again. I have always had large breasts, and when I decided to get in shape and lose weight, and build muscle, they...

“Everyone that I interacted with at SSA was exceptionally nice and knowledgeable. The office and surgery suites are beautiful and comfortable. And my results are amazing! After havi...

“Dr. Deal isn’t just an order taker – it is obvious that he takes pride in his work and has a vision for each patient. I love my body. It’s been a long time since ...

“The staff is professional, attentive, and proactive. Dr. Deal was the first doctor I consulted with (I had 2 other consultations elsewhere) who actually had a vision and recommenda...

“All staff members make me feel extremely comfortable and were very knowledgeable. I appreciate everyone that I assisted me with this journey!! Thankful to Dr. Deals for his profess...

“The whole staff was phenomenal answering every question I had very thoroughly. Everything from consultation to post-op went exactly as they had said and my breast augmentation resu...

What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?

A deep plane facelift is a procedure that involves tightening the underlying connective tissues of the face to resolve sagging facial tissues in the lower and mid-face. Lax skin and deep creases can hinder your confidence and make you appear older or more tired than you truly are. With a deep plane facelift, you can combat the aging process and feel as fresh and revived on the inside as you feel on the outside. This more comprehensive version of the standard facelift can correct hollowing in the mid-cheek area, drooping jowls, and pronounced nasolabial folds. At Southern Surgical Arts, we aim to provide patients with the confidence they need to be their most capable selves in their personal and professional lives.

Our team of board-certified plastic surgeons can walk you through our facelift protocol. They will prioritize your needs from the moment of your first consultation to the end of your recovery. They will not only introduce you to the latest, safest, and most innovative approaches, but they also have extensive training in understanding unique patient desires. To find out if you can benefit from the striking rejuvenation the deep plane facelift can offer you, call us today, visit one of our office locations offering surgical services, or inquire about our services with our contact form. We will answer any questions you may have as promptly as possible.

About Facelifts

A facelift, also commonly called a rhytidectomy, is a minimally invasive approach to creating tighter skin that provides natural elevation to the face as a whole. Believe it or not, surgeons performed the first facelifts in the early 1900s. Since these procedures only involved skin-deep changes, the results lasted only a short time, making it difficult for surgeons to perform them without making large incisions.

In the 1970s, Dr. Peyronie and Dr. Mitz discovered a connective tissue layer just beneath facial fat deposits that revolutionized the procedure: the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS). By modifying the SMAS, surgeons today can contour and tighten the overlying skin without producing an unnatural “windswept” look.

The deep plane facelift technique is relatively new to the world of facelifts; Dr. Sam Hamra was the first to coin the term in 1990. Since his days first uncovering the involved techniques of the deep plane facelift, surgeons have further improved upon his research.

Our surgeons are trained in the most modern approaches that involve the release of specific facial ligaments responsible for facial descent, repositioning of the malar fat pads under the cheekbones, and modifications to deeper facial muscles. Because of these changes, deep plane facelifts often produce more pronounced anti-aging effects. They also always include neck lift techniques to lift sagging skin from the neck area, providing a more uniform result throughout both the face and neck. In general, if you have significant facial aging, a deep plane may be the best course of action for you.

woman touching the side of her face while smiling

The Difference Between a SMAS Facelift and a Deep Plane Facelift

A SMAS facelift involves techniques of tightening the SMAS by first separating it from the skin, creating two layers of tissue that surgeons work with. A deep plane facelift promotes better preservation of facial blood supply since surgeons keep the SMAS and skin together as one tissue. The deep plane also incorporates deeper muscles, fat pads, and ligaments, whereas SMAS lifts are not this extensive.

Benefits of the Deep Plane Facelift

The deep plane technique can create incredible outcomes that target several areas of concern:

Jowls- the excess tissue that develops on the jawline
Deep creases of both the mid and lower portions of the face
Nasolabial folds
Lower eye bags
Sagging “turkey neck” tissues

With just two subtle incisions hidden within the creases of each ear and the hairline, your surgeon can access the underlying tissues and create results that will last 10 years or more.

Personal Consultation

Scheduling a consultation at Southern Surgical Arts will help you make an informed decision for your health and well-being. Your SSA surgeon will work with you to make sure you have an in-depth consultation that serves to answer your various questions and concerns, so please come prepared. They will begin by assessing your facial features and the specific problems you would like to address with a facelift.

They will explain the benefits of the deep plane facelift, the details of other types of facelifts, and other non-surgical approaches you may want to consider. To take the first step today, call today or get in touch with us via our online form, and an SSA staff member will assist you in scheduling an appointment at the location nearest to you.

Preparation

Your surgeon will evaluate your medical history and the current medications and supplements you are taking. Certain substances with blood-thinning properties can increase bleeding risk, so you should aim to stop your use of these medications before your procedure. Our surgeons are most comfortable with performing facelifts on non-smoking patients, but they will make exceptions for those who are willing to quit all nicotine products for a few weeks before and after the surgery.

Refraining from nicotine encourages and improves overall blood circulation and the body’s healing processes. Finally, your surgeon will advise you to plan to take time off work and arrange for someone to escort you home after you are discharged from the hospital the same day.

Procedure Steps

To begin, an anesthesiologist on our team will place you under general anesthesia, so you will be entirely unaware for the duration of the procedure. Next, your surgeon will make one small incision from the front outline of your ear and extend it to the lower portion of your temple, ensuring that it is as discreet and precise as possible.

From this one incision, your surgeon will be able to access the underlying SMAS connective layer that provides structure to the whole face.

They will lift the SMAS to erase creases and folds in the middle and lower parts of the face. From this incision, they will also elevate fat pads and muscles to accentuate shapely cheeks, release specific restraining ligaments, and remove excess skin at the end.

They will then repeat the process for the other side of the face, performing the same techniques to promote symmetry.

For the neck lift aspect, your surgeon will make a tiny incision in the submental region- the area under your chin. They will lift the platysma muscle, a superficial muscle and vital component of the neck and lower face. Finally, they will place tension on the skin and remove any unnecessary excess.

Recovery and Results

After your surgery, you will be in some discomfort due to swelling and bruising, but your prescribed medications will keep it under control. Your surgeon will require that you keep your post-procedure bandages for the next 2 days to protect the incisions as much as possible. Within a week, you will have to return for a follow-up visit, and your surgeon will remove the sutures.

The initial side effects will have worn off significantly within the first week, but it is normal to expect residual swelling that lasts two weeks or more. Once you begin to see significant improvements, it will likely be safe enough to return to work, though you will need to wait a month or more before returning to the gym and other more strenuous physical activities.

As the results settle in over the following weeks, patients will gradually see a drastic difference in their facial contour and skin quality, particularly around the jawline. The deep plane facelift does not just fix cosmetic issues at the surface level; it revitalizes the underlying structures that weaken with age, creating results you will love for the next several years.

Before & AfterDeep Plane Facelift

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Cost of a Deep Plane Facelift

The cost of your deep plane facelift will greatly depend on anesthesia fees, preparatory medical tests, medications, and other related surgical fees. At SSA, we understand that patients need affordable care, so consider applying for one of our available financing options with Alphaeon Credit or CareCredit, which will enable you to make payments over time.

If you are ready to speak with one of our surgeons about your aesthetic concerns, call today, fill out our online application, or visit our Calhoun, GA, or Chattanooga, TN, office.

To get to know more about our medspa services, read our blog, or visit one of our non-surgical offices.

Deep Plane Facelift Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a deep plane facelift and a traditional facelift?

The main difference between a deep plane facelift and a traditional facelift lies in the depth of tissue addressed during the surgery. A traditional facelift primarily focuses on tightening and repositioning the superficial layers of the skin. In contrast, the deep plane facelift involves lifting and repositioning the deeper layers of facial tissue, resulting in more comprehensive and long-lasting rejuvenation.

Who is a suitable candidate for a deep plane facelift?

Ideal candidates for a deep plane facelift are individuals who have significant signs of aging in the midface and lower face, including sagging skin, deep folds, and jowls. Good overall health, realistic expectations, and a commitment to following pre- and post-operative instructions are also important factors.

Does it take longer to recover after a deep plane facelift?

Recovery time can vary from patient to patient, but most individuals can expect some swelling and bruising for the first week or two following surgery. It is common to experience tightness and mild discomfort during this initial healing period. However, any pain is typically well-managed with prescribed medication. Patients should plan to take about two weeks off from work or social activities to ensure proper healing and minimize any potential complications.