Deep Plane Facelift
What Is A Deep Plane Facelift and Its Benefits?

In today’s society, the saggy look that comes with aging isn’t easily accepted. Many people feel young and energetic despite how old they are, but their physical appearance may not match their self-concept. This way, many turn to facelifts.
But what is a deep plane facelift?
What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?
A deep plane facelift procedure is a surgical cosmetic technique in which deep facial tissue structures are repositioned. The deep tissue layer is known as the “Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System,” or SMAS. When surgeons tighten the SMAS, they potentially help you attain a lifted appearance by tightening the sagging skin around the cheek, jaws, and neck area.
Aside from giving you an energetic and youthful appearance, deep plane facelifts may help with filling out any hollowness around the eyes due to aging. Moreover, this procedure may readjust the cheek back to its rightful place, giving you high cheekbones for days.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Deep Plane Facelift
The benefits of a deep plane facelift come with numerous advantages aside from just tightening the skin to give you a younger appearance. Those benefits are the following:
A deep plane facelift offers a multitude of advantages, making it a popular choice among those seeking facial rejuvenation. Here are some key benefits to consider:
- Softening of the laughter lines and improving mid-face appearance: The deep plane facelift offers significant benefits, notably the effective softening of laughter lines and a noticeable improvement in mid-face appearance.
This surgical technique targets deep tissue layers, ensuring a more natural and long-lasting rejuvenation compared to traditional facelifts. It results in a fresher, more youthful facial aesthetic, enhancing one’s overall appearance and self-confidence
- Minimal Scarring: Compared to other facelift techniques, the incisions made during a deep plane facelift are discreetly placed along the hairline and ear, resulting in minimal visible scarring from deep plane facelift scars.
- Natural-Looking Results: Deep plane facelifts are renowned for their ability to produce natural-looking outcomes, ensuring that you maintain your unique facial characteristics.
- Reduced Need for Additional Procedures: Unlike some other facelift methods, a deep plane facelift often requires fewer follow-up procedures, saving you both time and money.
- Wrinkle Reduction: This procedure effectively targets and diminishes the appearance of wrinkles, providing a smoother and more youthful complexion.
- Enhanced Facial Features: By eliminating sagging skin, a deep plane facelift can enhance your facial contours and highlight your features.
- Boosted Self-Esteem: Achieving a more youthful appearance can significantly boost your self-esteem and confidence, allowing you to face the world with renewed vigor.
- Elimination of Double Chin: If you struggle with a double chin, a deep plane facelift can help eliminate this concern.
- Softer Skin: Improved blood circulation post-surgery can leave your skin feeling softer to the touch, enhancing overall skin quality.
- Fast Recovery: Despite its comprehensive nature, deep plane facelifts typically boast a shorter recovery period compared to other procedures.
- Long-Lasting Results: Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of a deep plane facelift is its ability to provide long-lasting results, ensuring you enjoy the benefits of your rejuvenated appearance for an extended period.
How a Deep Plane Facelift Is Performed
The process of performing a deep plane facelift involves several precise steps:
- Consultation: Before scheduling the surgery, a consultation with your surgeon is essential. During your consultation, you may discuss your goals and expectations, allowing the surgeon to provide personalised recommendations.
- Anaesthesia: The procedure typically takes place under general anaesthesia, ensuring complete unconsciousness throughout the surgery, administered by a team of anaesthesia specialists.
- Incisions: The surgeon makes incisions along the side of the face and neck, strategically placed near the hairline and ear to minimise visible scarring.
- Tissue Separation: The deep tissue layer, known as the SMAS, is separated from the facial and neck skin, revealing the deep plane.
- SMAS Lifting: The surgeon lifts the SMAS and secures it in place with multiple stitches to achieve the desired results.
- Incision Closure: The incisions are meticulously closed with sutures to complete the procedure.
Recovery Period Post-Operation
Recovery from a deep plane facelift is a journey that varies from person to person. Here’s a general overview of the recovery process:
Days 2-5:
Predicting deep plane facelift recovery day by day might not be feasible however during the initial days following surgery, significant bruising and swelling are common, though these are typically concealed by bandages. Stitches are removed between days three and five, and any drainage tubes may be removed during this time.
Weeks 1-2:
By the end of the first week, most stitches, clips, and bandages are removed. Swelling begins to subside, and patients can gradually reintroduce minimal makeup. Simple tasks like grocery shopping and light housework can be resumed.
Weeks 3-4:
Swelling continues to decrease, and patients may consider resuming moderate activities. However, heavy lifting and strenuous workouts should still be avoided.
Weeks 5-7:
By week six, you may have your final follow-up appointment with the surgeon. If everything progresses as planned, you can return to your regular activities and routines.
You might be interested in asking Dr Faisal Salim some questions like how long a deep plane facelift last or other questions. Here are popularly answered FAQs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Deep Plane Facelift Procedure Complicated?
The deep plane facelift procedure can be viewed as more advanced than traditional facelift surgery. The techniques to correct the ligament’s face, as well as repositioning the SMAS, require greater expertise to achieve natural-looking and long-lasting results. However, from a patient’s point of view, the recovery process is similar to that of a regular facelift.
Can Recovery Time Be Shortened?
The recovery from a deep plane facelift is usually around one month, which is relatively short compared to other plastic surgery treatments. However, there are ways to speed up the recovery process. Tranexamic Acid is often prescribed to patients to help reduce bleeding and bruising, which can speed up the healing process.
Is the Procedure Only for Women?
Although facelifts are typically associated with women, men can also benefit from a deep plane lift. In fact, many men undergo the procedure to achieve a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance.
Is the Deep Plane Facelift Procedure Complicated?
The deep plane facelift procedure can be viewed as more advanced than traditional facelift surgery. The techniques used to correct the facial ligaments and structural tissues and reposition the SMAS require greater expertise to achieve natural-looking and long-lasting results. However, from a patient’s point of view, the recovery process is similar to that of a regular facelift.
Can Recovery Time Be Shortened?
The recovery period is brief for a deep plane facelift is usually around one month, which is relatively short compared to other plastic surgery treatments. However, there are ways to speed up the recovery process. Tranexamic Acid is often prescribed to patients to help reduce bleeding and bruising, which can speed up the healing process.
Is the Procedure Only for Women?
Although facelifts are typically associated with women, men can also benefit from a deep plane lift. In fact, there are many men who undergo the procedure to achieve a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance.
Contact Dr Faisal Salim to learn more about facelifts or other cosmetic procedures.
Patient Testimonials
Dr Faisal was nothing but outstanding during my entire journey in deciding if I should have a deep plane facelift in my 40’s. I didn’t want fillers and other interim interventions, all I wanted was to turn back time with what I had! From the very first consultation to before and after surgery including my many WhatsApp messages during my recovery months Dr Faisal was calm, reassuring and always there for me. It’s now 6 months on and I can honestly say it was the right decision to make. I am thrilled that it doesn’t look obvious that anything has been done but certainly friends and family comment on how fresh and alive I look! I would highly recommend Dr Faisal for his professional, calm, reassuring and expert advice for anyone considering such a big decision in their life. Juli Fairclough-Davis2024-12-05 I couldn’t say enough wonderful things to do Dr. Faisal justice! He listens. He cares. He has deep discussion with you to be certain he is targeting your root problem or concern. His staff is lovely. He doesn’t miss a step! After a botched mommy make over and THEN a trans-abdominal hysterectomy I was left with a massive scar and intense daily pain. Dr. Faisal gave me my life back! After 6.5 YEARS of intense, debilitating, life-altering pain, I am finally set free! My results are truly remarkable. I could not have asked for anything to go better! I am pain free, I have my athletic build back again and can get back to my active lifestyle with my kiddos again! I hope I never need surgery again in my lifetime but if I do- I’ll go to the ends of the earth to make sure it’s in his hands! He’s a realist and will not lie to you. He sets real expectations and then exceeds them by leaps and bounds! I am forever grateful to Dr. Faisal! Kat Overbeck2024-10-17 Cannot fault the service from start to finish. Highly recommend Dr Faisal and the team. Thank you for everything. Alice Williams2024-10-05 My neighbor recommended Dr. Faisal to me , and I am so happy with the result with only 4months now.I have done the breast augmentation and nipple correction. Dr. Faisal is so professional so good, he can hear you and understand what you want, and he did the work perfectly . I am very happy with my breast now. The results are even better than I had hoped. TT &T2024-09-30 Review of Dr. Faisal - abdominoplasty As a diabetic who had embarked on a weight loss journey to improve my health, I found myself facing a new challenge - unsightly loose skin around my tummy. This unexpected outcome of my weight loss efforts impacted my self-confidence, especially when it came to how I dressed and carried myself. Despite the physical transformation I had achieved, the presence of excess skin made me feel self-conscious and hesitant to fully embrace my new body. Therefore, I started researching doctors who could carry out the procedure. Upon scheduling my initial consultation, recommended by a friend, Dr. Faisal meticulously guided me through the surgery, addressing all my inquiries and aligning with my objectives. Prior to the operation, he dedicated time to addressing any concerns, remaining accessible for my numerous questions, and offering detailed instructions for the recovery process. Post-surgery, he closely monitored my progress and was consistently available for support, even during unconventional hours, providing reassurance and comfort. The recovery is always different for everyone but honestly, I felt it was made easier with the great support and did not struggle at all. I was up and about within a couple of days.....obviously with limitations. Now post 6 week mark i can confidently say Dr. Faisal's exceptional expertise resulted in a fabulous result (i find myself constantly checking myself out in the mirror and i can see abs !!), significantly boosting my self-confidence and I would highly recommend him to anyone contemplating this procedure. Puja Gujral2024-09-02 I wholeheartedly recommend Dr Faisal. After having 4 children including a set of twins, I no longer recognized myself when I looked in the mirror. My confidence was non existent. However, the thought of an extended abdominoplasty and breast lift was very daunting. Dr Faisal took the time to explain the whole procedure, recovery and expected outcome in an honest and frank manner whilst allaying any concerns or fears. The result is life changing. I was supported throughout the recovery and I now feel like I have my spark back. I enjoy exercising again and no longer look for baggy clothes to hide my body. Jennifer Durston MA Elip FCCT2024-08-28 I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the outstanding results of my surgeries. I am beyond thrilled with the outcome, and every time I look in the mirror, I feel an overwhelming sense of joy and confidence. Dr Faisal's exceptional skill and artistry are truly remarkable, and I am incredibly grateful to have found such an amazing surgeon. Thank you Dr Faisal for your beautiful work. Louise2024-08-17 Dr. Faisal is an exceptional doctor. Living in Dubai, it's not easy to find the right plastic surgeon. In previous years, I checked many profiles, but somehow I didn't trust them. One day, based on my friend's recommendation (and also after reading excellent reviews), I booked a consultation with Dr. Faisal. He really listens to his patients and answered my long list of questions, even the super silly ones. I didn't go anywhere else, I booked the surgery straight away. The results are just amazing; I got exactly what I asked for. I would highly recommend Dr. Faisal to anyone considering plastic surgery. Dora Czuczor2024-08-08 I had breast reduction surgery with Dr Faisal Salim 2 months ago. I was a GG cup size. Before the operation I searched for a good surgeon in the UAE and abroad for over a year, I selected 3 surgeons to meet with and one of them was Dr Faisal. I chose him because he was friendly and thorough in his explanation of what the surgery entailed and in managing my expectations. He and his team were always ready to answer my questions and his assistant Nazokat has been so lovely and helpful. I went into this surgery, very nervous of course, but fully aware of all the possible outcomes and I ended up with results that surpassed my dream scenario. I am so happy with the size and shape of my breasts. I am now a perky C cup at 43! Beyond the aesthetic aspect of my transformation, the health benefits are numerous; It is much easier to just exist everyday and do mondain activities with ease when it was a struggle before. I am able to keep up with my young children and working out has become so much easier that my fitness goals don’t seem so distant anymore. The positive consequences of this intervention don’t end here; one of the most significant outcomes is the impact on my confidence and self esteem; my family noticed that I’m more outgoing and I engage with others more and seem less reserved. I simply feel a million times better about myself! Dr Faisal did an amazing job and I will forever be thankful to him and cannot recommend him enough. He is a highly skilled surgeon and understands what his patients’ worries and preoccupations are. He is reassuring but honest and upfront about possible challenges which is exactly what I was looking for. This surgery is the best thing I have ever done for myself and I recommend it to every woman who suffers from the burden of having very large breasts. My first visit with Dr Faisal was just a chat about what I was looking for, it was relaxed and I didn’t feel pressured at all. It helped me in realising that this issue that seemed insurmountable could actually be fixed - and now that it is, I wish for every woman who is in the situation I was in to meet with Dr Faisal and get a new lease of life 😊 Laïla Waugh2024-07-25 I want to thank Dr. Faisal for performing on excellent procedure: face lift, neck lift and blepharoplasty- all together during the same surgery- Great ! His bedside manner was excellent. I’m very happy with the results ! This surgery has made a positive impact on my self esteem. Dr. Faisal answered all my questions reassuring me with professionalism at every stage of my journey providing accurate information. Dr. Faisal’s knowledge and skills gave me a very natural look, avoid raising unrealistic expectations. I want to mention also the team at the clinic : friendly and professional. I greatly appreciate everything Dr. Faisal has done for me. Highly recommended- 5 stars. Maria A2024-05-06