What’s the difference between a traditional facelift and a deep plane one?
.JPG "Dr. Julio F. Gallo performs a facelift at the Miami Institute for Age Management and Intervention in 2006. There are differences between a traditional facelift and a deep plane facelift.")
Q. I’ve been hearing a lot about the deep plane facelift versus a traditional facelift. What’s the difference?
A. This is one of the most common questions I receive from patients considering facial rejuvenation.
A traditional facelift primarily tightens the skin and the layer beneath it, called the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system). While this can produce excellent results, some techniques rely more heavily on pulling tissues upward and backward.
A deep plane facelift takes a different approach. In this procedure, the surgeon releases and repositions the deeper facial tissues as a single unit. By lifting the muscles, fat and connective tissues together, the cheeks, jawline and neck can often be restored to a more youthful position with less tension on the skin itself.
A deep plane facelift also releases some of your ligaments, whereas traditional facelifts stretch the face because the ligaments are kept in place.
The potential advantages of a deep plane facelift include a more natural-looking rejuvenation with presumptive better improvement of the mid-face and nasolabial folds (the lines between the nose and mouth). Some patients say this has less of a pulled effect.
That said, the best facelift is not determined solely by the technique. The surgeon’s experience, judgment and ability to customize the procedure to the individual patient are far more important than the name of the operation.
The concern I have is that by labeling it a deep plain facelift, the patient thinks it’s the same procedure being done by different doctors. That’s not the case. As in any other cosmetic procedure, it’s not about the procedure but about the operator and the surgeon performing it.
Not every patient needs a deep plane facelift. Some may achieve excellent results with a more traditional facelift, while others benefit from a deep-plane approach, often combined with neck contouring, eyelid surgery or fat grafting.
The goal of any facelift should be the same: To restore a refreshed, natural appearance that helps you look like yourself—just younger and more rested.
Dr. Carlos Wolf is a partner in Miami Plastic Surgery and is board certified. Email questions to him at Cwolf@miamiplasticsurgery.com
