The Deep Plane Facelift

Consider this quote from the premier plastic surgery journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 157(4):p 615-620, April 2026:

Conclusion: Various SMAS techniques can provide excellent aesthetic outcomes; however, medially based “deep plane” techniques, which carry dissection medial to the stout retaining ligaments, have not been shown to provide significant improvement in the appearance of the midface or improved longevity of results.

Before you line up for a “deep plane” facelift, consider which (if any) of the following statements is correct?

□ Corinthian leather is more expensive, but worth it

□ A facelift for $60,000 is better than one for $15,000

□ Deeper is better, when cutting inside someone’s face

□ A deep plane facelift technique performed for 2 years demonstrably lasts longer than the techniques that have been performed for 20 years

□ The safest time to have surgery is when your surgeon has returned from a weekend course and has a new procedure to try

Facelift surgery should not be an adventure, and your face shouldn’t be an experiment. Facelifts have a 92% ‘worth it’ rating on RealSelf, and this high rating is from respondents who have had surgery at all manner of places and prices. Find a surgeon who does lots of facelifts and has perfected their technique (same technique for years), you won’t go wrong.

‘But the plastic surgeon on TikTok said Deep Plane is better’

Look in the mirror and pull your face back to simulate a facelift. Looks good! Did you need to cut the ligaments of your face to create that appearance? No! So, skip the deep plane facelift. Getting the tissues back to a youthful position isn’t the problem, it’s getting them to stay there that can be challenging. Skin is too stretchy to do the job, so we use tension on the fibrous tissue (SMAS) under the skin to create a permanent effect. There are many variations in technique, but that is the rationale of the SMAS facelift.

And if pulling your face back to simulate a facelift doesn’t correct all the age-related changes you are seeing, there are better ways for us to address them than cutting the ligaments of your face.

‘Why would surgeons advertise deep plane facelifts that are more expensive than….never mind, I think I know the answer to that!’