Do you ever look in the mirror and wonder why you don’t look as young as you feel? Maybe you’ve tried creams, facials, and cosmetic treatments without seeing your expected results. Or perhaps you’re looking for something a little more permanent, but still want to look like yourself. Depending on your aesthetic objectives, a deep plane facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, can tackle many of the visible signs of facial aging to help you look as youthful and vibrant as you feel on the inside.
The Facial Aging Process
Do you remember how old you were when you first noticed a wrinkle? Most people start seeing fine forehead lines and some minor sagging around ages 25-30, though, in some folks, the aging process can begin as early as the tender age of 20.
How your skin ages depends on a variety of factors. Your genes and the normal aging process are two primary reasons. But sun exposure, lifestyle habits, environmental pollutants, and even your sleep position also play a role. Over time, the combination of these factors triggers a cascade of molecular changes that cause the skin to become thinner, looser, and more fragile. Your skin also dries out, and the underlying layer of fat shrinks, so your face doesn’t look as plump and smooth as it once did.
Of course, the aging process cannot be stopped or reversed completely. However, there are a number of non-surgical procedures, like Botox, that can temporarily help fade fine lines and wrinkles. And there are also more long-lasting alternatives, like a deep plane facelift, that shaves off years of your appearance by removing and reshaping excess facial skin in both the lower and the midface.
Benefits of a Deep Plane Facelift
A deep plane facelift is a highly advanced and more nuanced version of the “classic” facelift, which only addresses the lower face and neck issues. As the name suggests, a deep plane facelift focuses on the “deep plane,” or superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) of the face, an area consisting of a network of muscles, ligaments, nerves and tendons that work together to control your facial expressions and all the different ways in which your face moves.
Contrary to a traditional, or skin-only facelift, the deep plane technique helps improve sagging cheeks, droopy jowls, and deep creases around the mouth by lifting the entire SMAS structure instead of treating independent areas. Other benefits of this cutting-edge procedure include:
Reducing deep-seated wrinkles
When facelifts were first invented, the objective was to eliminate wrinkles and lines by pulling at and stretching the skin on the lower face. However, that approach often resulted in the dreaded “windswept” look that’s so typically associated with facelift surgery.
Decades later, after advancements in the field of plastic surgery, doctors discovered that the most optimal results are always obtained when the underlying ligaments and structures are tightened and repositioned, instead of tugging at the superficial skin.
Nowadays, the deep plane facelift is the best option for smoothing deep wrinkles and creases because it elevates the midface in a vertical direction, improving skin tone and restoring volume to the cheek area naturally. In fact, contrary to the traditional facelift, patients who have undergone a deep plane facelift rarely need fillers or fat grafting to complement the procedure.
Targeting many signs of aging in one step
A deep plane facelift technique may be applied to just the midface or both the midface and neck area for a more comprehensive restoration. It can address several of the visible signs of aging in just one intervention, including:
- Deep wrinkles and folds
- Excess skin
- Volume loss
- Double chin
- Crepey neck skin
- Jowls
Stunning natural looking results
Although facelifts have been around for quite some time, the possibility of looking “overdone” or “fake” is still the single greatest worry people have when it comes to undergoing this aesthetic procedure. This concern often stems from the many facelift horror stories shown in the media, including those performed on people in the public eye, like celebrities. But rest assured that poor results are not the only outcome.
Truth be told, for every botched facelift you’ve seen, you’ve probably encountered many others that were so natural you didn’t even realize that the person had “work” done. However, when performed by a knowledgeable, board-certified plastic surgeon, a deep plane facelift that’s executed paying critical attention to the underlying structures and anatomy of the face can yield gorgeous results that enhance your natural beauty, rather than modifying it.
Barely-there scars
Another benefit of the deep plane technique is that the incisions are inconspicuously placed behind the ears, so the scars are nearly invisible to the naked eye, unless someone closely examines your face. That being said, the key element to reduce scarring as much as possible after a surgical procedure is choosing a highly-trained facial plastic surgeon that’s well-versed in the art of scar camouflaging.
The experienced and talented plastic surgeons at Glasgold Group fully understand the desire to minimize scarring after any procedure involving the face, which is why they take great care in making thin, strategical incisions that will allow for a beautiful transformation with the least risk of noticeable scars. More often than not, our patients are unable to identify their own facelift scars once they’ve fully healed and faded.
Plastic surgery isn’t Taboo Anymore
You have a right to feel attractive and comfortable in your own skin, and for many, plastic surgery is a means for achieving just that. Today, the ubiquity of invasive and non-invasive cosmetic procedures, namely wrinkle relaxers and fillers, have opened the conversation around aesthetic improvements as a way of aging gracefully and boosting self-confidence. As a result, plastic surgery isn’t a hush-hush or frowned-upon topic anymore.
If you are not happy with the way your facial skin looks and are considering a facelift, know that you are not alone. In the US alone, more than 18 million facelifts take place every year, making it the 7th most common plastic surgery procedure, right after rhinoplasties and breast reductions.
People who get plastic surgery are not necessarily vain — although there’s no shame in liking the way you look! Cosmetic interventions like deep plane facelifts can help both women and men look and feel their best by matching their outward appearance with their inner sense of self. In fact, getting a facelift can help you think about and stress less about how you look, since you won’t longer be fixated on your jowls or neck when you pass a mirror and look at yourself on Zoom.
Learn More About Deep Plane Facelifts
A deep plane facelift is the gold standard for surgical facial rejuvenation and can create a radiant, youthful appearance across all visibly aged areas of the face. It is a technically demanding procedure that requires the skill and knowledge of an expert cosmetic surgeon, which is why less than 5% of plastic surgeons are able to successfully perform this intervention.
Double board-certified Dr. Robert Glasgold and Dr. Mark Glasgold are internationally renowned plastic surgeons specializing in facial rejuvenation and reconstruction and are proud to be among the most respected deep plane facelift surgeons in the world.
In the hands of skilled physicians, like the surgeons at Glasgold Group, a deep plane facelift is the superior technique for reducing deep wrinkles and creases that are resistant to non-invasive aesthetic interventions. If you want to learn more about this state-of-the-art procedure, call 732-846-6540 to schedule an appointment with Glasgold Group.
At your initial consultation, you’ll meet with one of our elite surgeons to discuss your goals and concerns, set expectations for the outcome of your surgery, and assess your overall health. And, in the event that you’re not ready for a deep plane facelift or are looking for a different kind of procedure, your doctor will be happy to recommend other options that fit your unique needs and goals.