Aging becomes noticeable as a series of small changes throughout the face begin adding up. You may still recognize yourself in the mirror, but your face can look heavier or more tired than you feel. These changes involve the deeper support system of the face. A deep plane facelift releases and repositions these deeper tissues so the cheeks, lower face, and jawline can return to a more youthful position.
At Coastline Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Brandyn Dunn performs deep-plane facelift surgery to reposition these underlying tissues, restore youthful contours, and help patients look refreshed while preserving their natural facial features.
A deep plane facelift is an advanced surgical procedure that releases selected retaining ligaments and repositions the deeper facial tissues beneath the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, commonly called the SMAS. The skin, facial fat, and SMAS are lifted together so the correction is supported by the deeper layers rather than skin tension. This deep plane approach can restore cheek position, soften deep nasolabial folds, reduce jowls, and improve definition through the lower face and jawline.
Facial aging affects several layers at once. Facial skin gradually becomes thinner and less elastic, fat pads lose volume or shift downward, retaining ligaments loosen, and the underlying bone can lose some of its projection. These changes can leave the cheeks looking flatter while soft tissue gathers around the mouth and jawline.
Skin treatments can improve texture, sun damage, and fine lines, but they cannot return descended facial tissues to a higher position. Dermal fillers can restore facial volume in certain areas, although adding too much volume may make a face with significant tissue descent look heavier. The deep plane technique addresses that descent directly by releasing and lifting the underlying tissues.
Facelift techniques differ in how extensively the surgeon releases and repositions the facial tissues. The name of a facelift method does not tell the entire story because surgeons may use the same term for somewhat different approaches.
Facelift Approach | Primary Correction | Common Uses | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Facelift | Limited lower-face tightening | Early jowling and mild skin laxity | Offers less correction for significant cheek descent or advanced sagging |
| SMAS Facelift | Repositioning or tightening of the SMAS | Jowls, loose skin, and lower-face aging | The degree of correction depends on the specific SMAS technique |
| Deep Plane Facelift | Ligament release beneath the SMAS with composite tissue repositioning | Descended cheeks, deep folds, jowls, and jawline changes | Requires detailed knowledge of facial anatomy and may be more extensive than some patients need |
| Neck Lift | Correction of neck skin, fat, platysma, and deeper structures | Neck laxity, muscle bands, fullness beneath the chin, and poor definition | Does not fully reposition descended cheek tissues |
Dr. Dunn chooses his facelift techniques according to the patient’s anatomy, the extent of facial aging, and the areas that need correction.
A deep plane facelift procedure can improve several connected signs of facial aging:
By repositioning the deeper facial structures, the procedure can restore youthful contours without changing the patient’s basic facial shape. The intended result is a more rested, balanced appearance that still looks natural during facial expressions.
Candidates commonly have moderate to advanced facial sagging, descended cheeks, deep folds, visible jowls, or loose skin that no longer responds well to nonsurgical treatment. Many patients consider facelift surgery between their mid-40s and 60s, though there is no required age. Genetics, weight loss, skin quality, and the pattern of facial aging are more useful guides.
Patients should be in good overall health, maintain a stable weight, and have realistic expectations for the procedure and recovery process. Smoking, vaping, and other nicotine use increase the risk of healing problems and other facelift complications. Patients must stop nicotine use, according to Dr. Dunn’s instructions, before and after surgery. Previous facelift patients may also be candidates, although revision facial surgery requires careful evaluation of existing scars and deeper tissues.
During a deep plane facelift consultation, Dr. Dunn examines the cheeks, jowls, jawline, chin, neck, facial skin, and deeper support structures. He also reviews skin elasticity, fat distribution, platysmal bands, previous filler, prior facial procedures, weight changes, medical history, and the areas the patient would most like to improve.
Patients with similar concerns can need very different surgical plans. One person may have significant cheek descent with relatively little neck laxity, while another may have aging throughout the face and neck. Dr. Dunn uses this evaluation to create a personalized treatment plan and explain which combination of facelift techniques and supporting procedures is appropriate.
Deep plane facelift surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Dunn places the incisions around the natural contours of the ear and extends them into the hairline as needed. Through these incisions, he enters the deep plane beneath the SMAS, carefully releases selected retaining ligaments, and mobilizes the descended tissues of the cheeks and lower face.
The deeper tissues are lifted and secured to restore cheek position, soften folds, and improve the jawline. Once that support is in place, the skin lies smoothly over the updated facial contours. Dr. Dunn conservatively removes excess skin and closes the incisions with limited tension to support natural-looking results and discreet scar healing.
A deep plane facelift can improve the jawline and upper neck transition, but the neck has additional layers that may require direct treatment. Loose neck skin, excess fat, platysmal bands, and deeper fullness beneath the chin can all affect the final contour. Combining a deep plane facelift with a neck lift allows Dr. Dunn to address facial and neck aging in a single surgical procedure.
At Coastline Plastic Surgery, Dr. Dunn’s Signature Face and Neck Lift includes a deep neck lift along with the deep plane facelift. The current treatment plan also includes a temporal lift, facial fat transfer, buccal fat removal, CO2 laser treatment along the incisions, and post-procedure red light therapy. Each component is adjusted to the patient’s facial anatomy so the cheeks, jawline, and neck look balanced.
Incisions for a deep plane facelift are typically placed around the curves of the ears and within or along the hairline. An incision beneath the chin may also be used for deep neck work. Although every surgical incision leaves a scar, thoughtful placement helps keep visible scarring limited once healing is complete.
Facelift incisions are often longer than patients initially expect. This access allows Dr. Dunn to reposition deeper tissues and redrape the skin without concentrating excessive tension around the ear. Scars usually begin pink or firm and then soften and fade over several months. Genetics, sun exposure, nicotine use, incision care, and the individual healing response can all affect their final appearance.
Swelling, bruising, facial tightness, fatigue, and temporary numbness are common after a deep plane facelift. Swelling is usually most noticeable during the first few days and then gradually improves. Because each side may heal at a slightly different rate, temporary asymmetry during the early recovery process is also common.
Most patients plan for two to four weeks of social downtime, though light walking begins much sooner. Residual swelling, numbness, and facial tightness can take several months to fully resolve. Recovery may be longer when eyelid surgery, a brow lift, or other procedures are performed at the same time.
As swelling fades, patients begin to see higher cheek contours, softer nasolabial folds, less jowling, and clearer definition along the jawline and neck. Facial movement also begins to feel more natural as tightness resolves. Deep plane facelift results continue to refine for three to six months.
Results often last 10 to 15 years, although no facelift procedure stops facial aging. Skin quality, genetics, weight changes, sun exposure, nicotine use, and general health can influence longevity. Patients continue to age from a more youthful starting point and generally remain younger-looking than they would have without surgery.
Possible risks include bleeding, hematoma, infection, delayed incision healing, fluid collection, asymmetry, hair loss near an incision, prolonged swelling, changes in sensation, and visible scarring. Because the facial nerve travels through the deeper layers, temporary facial weakness can occur. Permanent facial nerve injury is rare but can affect facial movement.
A deep plane facelift is an advanced surgical procedure that requires detailed knowledge of facial anatomy. Following Dr. Dunn’s preparation and aftercare instructions, avoiding nicotine, discussing all medications and medical conditions, and attending follow-up appointments can help reduce preventable risks.
Deep plane facelift cost varies according to the surgeon’s experience, procedure complexity, treatment location, anesthesia, facility fees, and any additional procedures. National estimates are broad and may not reflect what is included in a specific practice’s surgical plan.
At Coastline Plastic Surgery, Dr. Dunn’s Signature Face and Neck Lift currently ranges from $35,000 to $40,000. This price reflects the comprehensive nature of the procedure and includes the deep plane facelift, deep neck lift, temporal lift, facial fat transfer, buccal fat removal, CO2 laser treatment along the incisions, and post-procedure red light therapy. The one-hour consultation with Dr. Dunn is $400, and that fee is applied toward the surgical estimate if the patient moves forward with surgery. Pricing is subject to change, and each patient receives a detailed quote after consultation.
Dr. Brandyn Dunn is double board-certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. His training provides a detailed understanding of the facial muscles, facial nerve pathways, retaining ligaments, skin, fat, and deeper facial structures involved in facelift and neck lift surgery.
At Coastline Plastic Surgery, Dr. Dunn approaches each deep plane facelift as an individual facial surgery rather than applying the same lift to every patient. His planning focuses on natural beauty, balanced facial contours, and results that remain believable during movement and expression. Patients in Newport Beach and throughout Orange County receive direct guidance about what surgery can improve, where its limits are, and what to expect throughout recovery.
If descending cheeks, jowls, or loose skin are changing the way you see your face, a deep plane facelift may provide the level of correction you want. Schedule a consultation at Coastline Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach to meet with Dr. Dunn, review your facial anatomy, and receive a personalized surgical plan.
The fat cells that establish a blood supply can remain for many years. Results change with weight fluctuations and the natural aging process, so they are better described as long-lasting than permanently fixed.
Fat retention varies by patient, treatment area, placement, and healing. Dr. Dunn plans for some expected reabsorption, but no exact survival percentage can be guaranteed.
Many thin patients have sufficient fat for facial treatment because only a modest amount is usually needed. Dr. Dunn will evaluate possible donor areas during consultation.
Fat grafting restores volume but does not lift sagging skin or descended facial tissues. Patients with both concerns may benefit from combining fat transfer with facelift surgery.
Yes, in many cases. Dr. Dunn will need to know which dermal fillers were used, where they were placed, and when they were injected before planning treatment.
Fat grafting transfers fat from another area of the body. Fat repositioning moves existing lower-eyelid fat into a nearby hollow during eyelid surgery. Dr. Dunn recommends an approach based on the source of the under-eye concern.
