Facelift surgery to address the effects of the ageing process has been around for over a century, but the techniques now available provide natural-looking results that would amaze those first pioneers.

The deep plane facelift offers facial rejuvenation and a more youthful appearance but with a subtlety lacking from earlier facelift surgery. It is the most advanced facelift technique currently being practised, and the surgical team at the Coppergate Clinic is one of the few offering this transformative procedure.

This blog will discuss the difference between the deep plane and the traditional facelift.

Traditional facelift surgery

The facelift is a surgical procedure designed to treat the sagging skin and lack of definition that are so often part of facial ageing.

Traditional facelift surgery focuses on releasing and stretching the face’s skin and trimming excess skin. This procedure principally benefits the mid-face area. Wrinkles on the cheeks are smoothed away, and the deep nasolabial folds that make the face look tired and old are reduced.

The risk of this type of facelift surgery is that the skin is overstretched, leaving a taut rather than youthful appearance and a lack of facial expression.

The deep plane facelift procedure

Unlike traditional techniques, which focus on the superficial layers of the facial anatomy, the deep plane facelift targets deeper tissues and works with the facial anatomy.

The facial retaining ligaments, part of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, support facial shape in youth. Like skin and muscle, these underlying tissues become more lax with age.

The deep plane facelift technique accesses the superficial musculoaponeurotic system and the deeper layers of facial muscles and lifts them with the skin. This surgery also allows the surgeon to remove excess skin and fat. The size of the glands can be reduced to redefine the profile of the neck and jaw area.

The deep plane technique has become the gold standard among facelift procedures. The advantages of this technique include:

Natural-looking results

The deep plane facelift offers superior facial rejuvenation because it preserves the mobility of the superficial layers of the skin. This allows for the full range of facial expressions without compromising a refreshed appearance.

Longer lasting benefits

This technique also gives longer-lasting results because it involves repositioning the deeper layers of the facial anatomy, not the skin. The benefits of the deep plane technique can last for between 7 and fifteen years.

You can read more about deep plane facelift surgery here.

Complementary procedures to give complete facial rejuvenation

Patients undergoing facelift surgery are frequently most concerned about facial ageing in the midsection of their faces, across the cheeks, and around the mouth and nose, where deep nasolabial folds typically appear.

While the deep plane facelift delivers a rejuvenated appearance to these areas, it is not designed to have the same impact around the eyes or on the neck, nor will it improve the quality of the skin.

However, other facial procedures can be performed to give the same benefits to these areas.

Eyelid surgery

Blepharoplasty, often called eyelid surgery, is a straightforward procedure to correct hooded eyelids and remove loose skin around the eyes.

An eyelid lift restores a refreshed and wide-eyed appearance to the eye area.

Neck lift

We advise most patients to have an extended deep plane facelift, including neck lift surgery.

This procedure restores a more defined appearance to the neck and jawline, which are particularly prone to sagging skin as we age.

Non-surgical procedures to rejuvenate the skin

The ageing process often changes the quality of the skin, causing unwanted pigmentation and a dull skin tone.

The Coppergate Clinic offers a comprehensive range of non-surgical procedures to complement the benefits of your deep plane facelift.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any risks associated with the deep plane facelift?

Every surgical procedure carries the risk of bleeding, bruising and pain.

Any discomfort will be managed with prescribed pain medication, and the other issues will be resolved in time.

Deep plane facelift surgery has additional risks as it targets the deeper layers of the facial tissue, close to the facial nerve and other structures like the salivary glands and ducts.

This procedure should only be performed by a highly skilled and experienced plastic surgeon.

Coppergate Clinic is one of the few plastic surgery clinics in the UK with surgeons who can offer this transformative procedure.

Will I need a general anaesthetic?

A deep plane facelift typically requires a general anaesthetic but may sometimes be performed under sedation.

Next Steps

A consultation with one of our plastic surgeons would be an opportunity to discuss your concerns about facial ageing and whether a deep plane facelift would be a solution for you.

You can contact us by phoning 01904 675 222 or emailing us at [email protected]