What Is a Deep Plane Facelift and Why Do Patients Love It?
Not all facelifts are created equal. While traditional techniques focus primarily on tightening the skin, the deep plane facelift takes a fundamentally different approach that’s gaining recognition for its dramatic results and improved staying power. At Younger Facial Surgery Centre in Vancouver, Dr. Ritchie Younger has witnessed firsthand the power of this advanced approach to transform a patient’s confidence.
If you’re considering a facelift and want to understand why so many patients are choosing the deep plane approach, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about this sophisticated procedure.
What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?
The deep plane facelift is a highly comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation surgery favored by people looking for natural-looking results that last. Unlike conventional techniques that primarily address the skin’s surface, this method targets the deeper structural layers of the face.
Understanding the Procedure
During a deep plane facelift, Dr. Younger works beneath the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), which is a layer of tissue that lies between the skin and the deeper facial muscles. Rather than simply pulling the skin tight, the deep plane technique involves lifting and repositioning both the skin and the underlying SMAS layer as a single, unified unit.
This approach allows us to address the root causes of facial ageing, including muscle laxity and consequent drooping, rather than merely treating the symptoms. By working at this deeper level, the procedure creates a more natural-looking lift that doesn’t distort facial features or create the telltale signs of surgery.
The procedure typically takes between three and four hours to complete, though this can vary depending on whether we plan to incorporate any additional treatments. Dr. Younger makes carefully planned incisions along the natural creases of the face, through which he accesses the deeper facial structures and repositions them to restore a more youthful contour.
What the Deep Plane Facelift Addresses
This comprehensive approach effectively treats multiple signs of facial ageing. The deep plane facelift is particularly successful at:
- Eliminating jowls
- Restoring a well-defined jawline
- Smoothing deep nasolabial folds
- Lifting and volumising sagging cheeks
- Tightening loose skin in the lower face and neck
- Reducing marionette lines around the mouth
One of the greatest advantages of the deep plane technique is its ability to restore lost facial volume. As we age, the fat pads in our cheeks descend, creating a hollow, gaunt appearance. By repositioning these deeper structures rather than simply removing excess skin, the deep plane facelift can restore a more youthful fullness to the midface.
Who Benefits Most from This Approach
The deep plane facelift is typically recommended for people who display moderate to advanced signs of facial ageing. Ideal candidates are generally over 50 years old and have noticeable jowls, deep facial folds or significant descent of facial tissues. They should be in good overall health and have realistic expectations about surgical outcomes.
This technique is particularly beneficial for patients with thicker skin or those of diverse ethnic backgrounds, including patients of Middle Eastern, Indian and Asian descent. Dr. Younger’s extensive experience working with patients from around the world, including many who travel from the West Coast of North America and beyond, has given him unique insight into how different skin types and facial structures respond to this advanced technique.
However, the deep plane facelift isn’t for everyone. If Dr. Younger believes that a less invasive approach would achieve your goals or that surgery isn’t necessary at all, he’ll tell you honestly.
Why More Patients Are Choosing Deep Plane Facelifts
The growing popularity of deep plane facelifts is a product of the results that this technique delivers, as well as an increasing focus on subtlety and staying power.
More Natural-Looking Results
Because this technique repositions the deeper facial structures rather than relying solely on skin tightening, it avoids the stretched, overdone look that can result from traditional facelifts.
Dr. Younger’s artistic approach ensures that your facial expressions remain intact and your features stay harmonious with your natural appearance. You’ll look like a refreshed, more rested version of yourself, not like someone who’s obviously had work done. This is a particularly important aspect for our patients with public-facing careers who depend on their appearance, including their ability to make facial expressions authentically.
Longer-Lasting Results
While no facelift procedure is completely immune to the ageing process, deep plane facelifts typically provide longer-lasting results than conventional techniques. Because the deeper tissues are repositioned and secured, the improvements tend to endure for seven to ten years or more, depending on individual factors such as skin quality, genetics and lifestyle.
This longevity can make the deep plane approach more cost-effective over time, as patients may not need revision surgery as soon as they would with other techniques.
Comprehensive Facial Rejuvenation
The deep plane technique addresses multiple concerns at the same time, providing a more complete transformation. Rather than treating one or two isolated areas, this approach restores harmony to the entire lower and midface, creating balanced, proportional results that accentuate your unique features.
For many patients, this comprehensive approach eliminates the need for multiple procedures or frequent maintenance treatments, simplifying their journey toward a more youthful appearance.
Preservation of Facial Movement
One concern many people have about facelift surgery is losing the ability to make natural facial expressions. The deep plane technique actually preserves facial movement better than traditional approaches because it doesn’t rely on extreme skin tension. Your face will continue to move naturally along with all your facial expressions.
Recovery and What to Expect
Most patients take approximately two weeks off from work and social activities following a deep plane facelift. Initial swelling and bruising are most noticeable during the first week, but begin to subside significantly by the ten to fourteen-day mark.
Dr. Younger typically uses a combination of local anaesthesia and sedation for this procedure, which can result in a more comfortable recovery compared to general anaesthesia. He’ll provide detailed post-operative instructions, including keeping your head elevated, using cold compresses during the first few days, and avoiding strenuous activities for several weeks.
While you’ll notice immediate improvements once the initial swelling subsides, your final results will continue to develop over several months as residual swelling resolves and the tissues fully settle into their new position.
Why Choose Dr. Younger for Your Deep Plane Facelift
Dr. Ritchie Younger’s extensive experience and ethical approach to facial plastic surgery make him uniquely qualified to perform deep plane facelifts. With over 30 years of expertise and training across North America and Switzerland, he brings a global perspective to his practice whilst maintaining a deeply personal approach to patient care.
His commitment to natural-looking results has earned him the trust of patients from diverse backgrounds around the world. As the only facial plastic surgeon in Vancouver holding the position of Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of British Columbia, Dr. Younger continues to shape the future of facial plastic surgery whilst providing exceptional care to his patients.
Transform Your Appearance with Confidence
If you’re ready to explore whether a deep plane facelift is right for you, the first step is scheduling a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Younger. During this in-depth meeting, he’ll assess your unique facial anatomy, discuss your goals and recommend the most appropriate approach for achieving natural, long-lasting results.
Don’t let concerns about facial ageing hold you back from feeling confident in your appearance. Contact Younger Facial Surgery Centre in Vancouver today at 604-738-3223 or visit us online to schedule your consultation.
