Rejuvenate Your Appearance with a Deep Plane Facelift
The signs of aging are often most noticeable on the face and can make many feel a disconnect between the face they see in the mirror and how they feel inside. A facelift can help rejuvenate the appearance by smoothing wrinkles and lifting sagging skin, helping patients to look as youthful as they feel.
There are different facelift techniques to address aging in different areas of the face. Today, Dr. David A. Sherris would like to take a closer look at the deep plane facelift, which he performs at our Buffalo, NY, practice.
What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?
Both men and women in their late 40s or older who are unhappy with the visible signs of aging on their face may benefit from the deep plane facelift procedure.
A deep plane facelift is different than a traditional facelift in that it addresses the deep tissues and not just the skin to create a more youthful appearance.
During a deep plane facelift, the tissues below the SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic system) layer are adjusted and lifted as a whole rather than lifting the muscles and skin separately, as with a standard facelift. This allows the facial structure to be repositioned and lifted rather than relying skin tightening to create a smoother appearance.
By targeting the tissues below the SMAS layer, deep plane facelifts create a more natural looking rejuvenation with longer lasting results for patients with deep nasolabial folds and severe facial sagging.
What Issues Can a Deep Plane Facelift Correct?
The deep plane facelift primarily targets the mid and lower face, which includes the cheeks and the jaw line,neck helping to lift sagging tissue around the cheeks, jowls and smooth the neck.
Most notably, deep plane facelifts can reduce the appearance of deep nasolabial folds. Sometimes called “marionette lines,” nasolabial folds are the deep creases that run down both sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth and severe facial sagging.
Although the most improvement will be seen in the mid to lower face, our Buffalo patients may also see some improvement in the outer brow area.
The Deep Plane Facelift Procedure
The deep plane facelift procedure usually starts with an incision being made along the hairline and around the ears where scarring will be inconspicuous.
From this incision, the skin, muscles, and tissues beneath the SMAS layer can be accessed. The skin, muscles, and other tissues are detached and repositioned as one to create a more youthful appearance.
Recovering from a Deep Plane Facelift
Because the tissues are kept as one unit during a deep plane facelift, trauma to the tissues tends to be far less than with traditional facelift techniques. Less trauma often means a faster recovery for our Buffalo patients.
A full recovery can take several weeks, during which time patients should refrain from engaging in strenuous activities. Patients may return to work before they are fully recovered provided that they avoid any strenuous labor until cleared by their surgeon.
During recovery, patients should expect some swelling and discomfort. Swelling can be helped by sitting upright, sleeping elevated while pain or discomfort may be reduced with either an approved over-the-counter medication or a prescription medication.
Learn More about Deep Plane Facelifts
For more information about deep plane facelifts, or to find out if you're a candidate, we welcome you to call (716) 884-5102 to schedule a consultation.
