Deep Plane Facelift

A deep plane facelift is an advanced facial rejuvenation procedure designed to elevate and reposition deep structural tissues of the face. Rather than relying on skin tension alone, this technique works beneath the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) to lift descended tissues. By addressing aging at a foundational level, a deep plane facelift restores natural-looking definition to the cheeks, jawline, and lower face while preserving facial harmony.

At Berlet Plastic Surgery in Manhattan, New York, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Berlet performs a deep plane facelift for patients seeking to restore their youthful, natural appearance. With more than 30 years of experience, Dr. Berlet holds a reputation for his surgical excellence and compassionate care, tailoring every procedure to each individual’s unique anatomy to achieve youthful, harmonious, and natural-looking results.

To discover more about the benefits of a deep plane facelift, schedule your consultation online or call the office most convenient for you:

About Deep Plane Facelift

The facelift is one of the most widely performed cosmetic procedures in the United States and continues to grow in popularity. The deep plane facelift, in particular, has gained significant attention for its advanced, modern approach. Rather than simply tightening the skin, this technique repositions the underlying muscle and fat layers as a single unit. By addressing structural changes at a deeper level, it corrects severe sagging and delivers youthful, natural-looking results without a tight or “windblown” appearance. ⁽¹⁾

How Facial Aging Affects Deeper Tissues

The face is often one of the first areas to show visible signs of aging because it is constantly exposed to the sun and other environmental stressors that break down collagen and elastin. While we see these changes on the skin’s surface, true aging actually begins beneath the surface, where muscles, fat, and bone support your face. ⁽¹⁾ As we get older, this deeper structural support weakens and gradually descends due to gravity, taking soft tissue with it. This leads to concerns like jowls, a sagging neck, and a fading jawline.

To understand why the deep plane facelift is so effective, it helps to consider how facial skin relies on its underlying structures. Rather than treating only the surface skin, this technique repositions the deeper supporting layers. The key layers and their roles in aging include: ⁽¹⁾

What Makes the Deep Plane Facelift Different from Traditional Approaches?

While various facelift techniques aim to improve similar aging concerns, they differ greatly in how they address the underlying support layer. Traditional facelifts typically pull the surface skin or lift the skin and muscle separately, which can create an artificial or windblown look.

In contrast, a deep plane facelift works underneath the face’s deep support layer, known as the SMAS, to mobilize and reposition the deeper tissues and skin so they move as one unified layer. Releasing the tight natural ligaments that hold these deep tissues down allows Dr. Berlet to freely lift them back to their youthful positions. This structural approach lets Dr. Berlet effectively elevate descended tissues while the skin rests naturally over newly restored contours. ⁽²⁾

Benefits

A deep plane facelift performed by Dr. Berlet delivers numerous benefits, including: ⁽³⁾

Candidates

Candidacy for a deep plane facelift depends on various factors, including the extent of aging, overall health, aesthetic goals, and lifestyle. This procedure can deliver long-lasting structural restoration for individuals with more pronounced facial laxity. You may be an ideal candidate if you:

Dr. Berlet will determine during a personal consultation whether you are an ideal candidate for a deep plane facelift.

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation with Dr. Berlet, he will get to know you, and you will discuss your aesthetic goals and review your medical history together. He will then perform a comprehensive physical examination of your face to assess your jawline, neck, skin elasticity, and underlying facial bone structure. Based on this evaluation, Dr. Berlet will provide you with a personalized treatment plan with all the information you need for a successful procedure. To set realistic expectations, he will outline critical procedure details, including recovery timeframes, results, potential risks, and pricing, and address any questions or concerns you may have.

To learn more about whether a deep plane facelift is right for you, schedule a consultation online with Dr. Berlet or call the office most convenient for you:

Preparation

Once you and Dr. Berlet finalize your treatment plan, he will provide clear, detailed preoperative instructions tailored to your health profile, which typically include:

Following Dr. Berlet’s preoperative instructions closely will support the safety and success of your deep plane facelift.

Procedure

Dr. Berlet customizes each deep plane facelift to the patient’s specific facial anatomy, degree of aging, and aesthetic goals. During the procedure, he works beneath the SMAS to release and reposition deeper facial tissues, then redrapes the skin over the restored contours.

Accessing the Deep Plane

Dr. Berlet begins by making an incision hidden along the hairline and around the natural contours of the ears so the scar heals discreetly. He carefully lifts and separates a thin layer of skin from the underlying fat and muscle to expose the SMAS layer. He then makes a precise incision directly through the SMAS layer, typically from the cheekbone down toward the jaw. ⁽²⁾ This gives Dr. Berlet a strategic entry point beneath the SMAS into the “deep plane” space. Targeting the deep plane provides access to the structural attachments that influence facial tissue position and mobility.

Releasing and Repositioning the Facial Tissues

Once inside the deep plane, Dr. Berlet releases the dense, anchor-like ligaments that lock the facial tissues to the underlying bone. With those restrictive ligaments released, Dr. Berlet lifts the muscle, fat, and skin as one unit. This naturally restores youthful volume to deflated cheeks and smooths out the jawline without making the skin appear artificially pulled back. Finally, Dr. Berlet firmly anchors this deep support layer in its new, higher position. ⁽³⁾

Redraping the Skin and Closing the Incisions

After Dr. Berlet repositions and secures the deeper tissues, he gently redrapes the skin over the new contours without excessive tension. Dr. Berlet can then conservatively remove any excess skin before carefully closing the incisions.

Recovery and Results

Every patient’s healing experience is unique, and recovery timelines vary depending on their age, skin elasticity, overall health, and the specific treatment approach. Following Dr. Berlet’s postoperative instructions during your recovery process is key to supporting proper healing and achieving the best possible facelift results.

During the initial healing phase, you will need to take time off from work, avoid strenuous activities like exercise, and attend your follow-up appointments as scheduled to ensure your facelift recovery is progressing as expected. Swelling, bruising, and discomfort typically peak during the first week of healing, but you can manage them with pain medication and proper care. You must keep your head elevated at a 30-to-45-degree angle to help ease discomfort and minimize swelling. With Dr. Berlet’s approval, most patients can expect to begin easing back into light routines around the two-week mark, although healing will continue beyond this initial recovery period. ⁽²⁾

Early on, fluid retention and swelling mask the results of the deep lift. But over the following three to six months, the newly repositioned tissue layers will settle securely into place through a natural internal healing process called fibrosis. As the internal tissues soften and deep swelling resolves, the final, sharp definition of the jawline and cheeks will become increasingly visible. Once this internal healing is complete and the swelling fully dissipates, you will be able to see the sharp, natural-looking definition along the cheeks, jawline, and neck reveal itself.

Corresponding Procedures

To achieve more comprehensive results, Dr. Berlet offers several related procedures that he can perform with your deep plane facelift, such as:

During your personal consultation, you can explore these options and receive Dr. Berlet’s expert recommendation.

Cost of Deep Plane Facelifts in Manhattan, New York

The total cost of your deep plane facelift will depend on several factors, including the time required to perform the procedure, the technique chosen, the anesthesia used, the scope of treatment, and more. During your consultation, Dr. Berlet will provide a comprehensive price quote that accurately reflects your treatment plan.

For questions about payment options, please contact us online or call us at the office most convenient for you:

FAQ

References

1. Swift A, Liew S, Weinkle S, Garcia JK, Silberberg MB. The Facial Aging Process from the “Inside Out.” Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2020;41(10). doi:10.1093/asj/sjaa339
2. Raggio BS, Patel BC. Deep Plane Facelift. PubMed. 2021. Accessed October 26, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545277/
3. Levin M, Frankel A. Thirty Years of Deep Plane Facelifts: Characterizing Outcomes and Longevity. Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine. 2026;28(5):482-487. doi:10.1177/26893614261422044