Refer a friend and earn a $50 credit!

Take the next step and schedule a visit today

Fill out my online form.

Take the next step and schedule a visit today

Fill out my online form.

Deep Plane Facelift in London, UK

The deep plane facelift, originally described by Sam Hamra in 1990, utilises a plane of dissection below the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) of the midface. This approach allows the resection of key facial retaining ligaments. This very important step in facelift surgery makes a maximum mobilization of the superficial soft tissue of the face …

Take the next step and schedule a visit today

Fill out my online form.

If you’re searching for the best deep plane facelift surgeon London or UK, you want a natural, long-lasting facial rejuvenation without the “pulled” look. The deep plane facelift London is an advanced facelift technique that restores youthful facial contours by lifting the deeper tissues, delivering a refreshed appearance with natural expression.

At my Harley Street clinic, I, Dr. Dirk Kremer, specialize in the deep plane facelift UK and my signature Vertical Dual-Plane facelift, combining cutting-edge surgical procedure with personalized care by an experienced plastic surgeon. Below, you’ll find essential information about the deep plane facelift procedure, benefits, recovery process, and how it compares to other facelift surgery options like the SMAS facelift London.

What is the Deep Plane Facelift Surgery?

The deep plane facelift surgery involves lifting the skin and underlying facial muscles (superficial musculoaponeurotic system or SMAS layer) together as a composite flap. Unlike traditional facelift techniques that lift skin separately, this advanced facelift technique releases the facial ligaments and repositions the deeper tissues to address sagging skin, deep wrinkles, and loss of facial volume.

By targeting the deeper layers of facial anatomy, including the underlying facial muscles and connective tissue, the deep plane facelift procedure achieves a natural looking rejuvenation with longer-lasting results. The technique ensures tension-free closure of the skin, reducing the risk of visible scarring and improving blood flow to the skin, which supports faster healing.

This surgical procedure is designed to restore the natural contours of the midface and lower face, including the cheeks, jawline, and neck skin. The deep plane facelift targets the root causes of facial ageing by repositioning the underlying tissues rather than merely tightening the skin surface.

Benefits of the Deep Plane Facelift

  • Natural Looking Results: Lifting skin and SMAS together preserves facial movement and expression, avoiding the “tight” or “windswept” look often seen with less advanced techniques.
  • Significant Improvement: Addresses sagging cheeks, jowls, nasolabial folds, and loose skin on the face and neck for a youthful appearance.
  • Long-lasting Effects: Results typically last 10 to 15 years, making it a durable solution for facial ageing.
  • Reduced Risk of Skin Necrosis: Better blood supply to the skin reduces complications, especially important for smokers and those with skin laxity.
  • Tension-Free Skin Closure: Minimizes visible scarring and promotes a smoother healing process.
  • Combining Procedures: Can be safely combined with other cosmetic procedures such as eyelid surgery, brow lift, and neck lift for comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

Who is a Good Candidate?

The ideal candidate for a deep plane facelift London is someone experiencing signs of ageing such as sagging skin, deep wrinkles, and loss of facial definition, typically from their 40s onwards. Both men and women with healthy general health who want a natural, refreshed appearance benefit most.

Candidates should be non-smokers or willing to stop smoking before and after the deep plane surgery to optimize healing. This procedure is also suitable for patients seeking a revision after previous facelifts to correct sagging or volume loss.

If you notice the early signs of the natural ageing process such as loss of facial volume, sagging cheeks, or a soft jawline, a mini facelift or a full deep plane facelift might be recommended depending on your facial structure and goals.

How is the Deep Plane Facelift Performed?

Performed under general anaesthesia, I, Dr. Dirk Kremer, make discreet incisions hidden along the hairline and around the ears. The deep plane technique involves releasing the facial ligaments and lifting the facial tissue—including skin and SMAS—as one unit. Excess skin and excess fat may be removed or repositioned to restore youthful facial contours.

During the procedure, I carefully reposition the underlying tissues to their youthful position, often incorporating fat grafting to restore volume using healthy fat cells harvested from other areas of the body. This fat transfer provides a natural alternative to dermal fillers with longer-lasting results.

I may combine the facelift with complementary cosmetic procedures such as neck lift, eyelid surgery, or brow lift for comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Combining procedures can enhance overall facial harmony and reduce the need for multiple surgeries.

Recovery Process

Most patients experience swelling and bruising for 1 to 3 weeks post deep plane surgery. Pain is managed with prescribed pain medication, and a compression garment helps reduce swelling. Sutures are typically removed within 7 to 10 days by the surgeon during follow-up visits.

The deep plane facelift recovery is generally smoother than traditional facelifts due to less tension on the skin. Most patients resume light activities within 2 weeks and normal exercise by 6 weeks. Follow-up visits with your surgeon ensure proper healing and optimal results.

Deep Plane Facelift vs. Other Facelift Techniques

Compared to the SMAS facelift or traditional facelift procedure, the deep plane facelift technique offers:

  • More natural, youthful results by repositioning deeper tissues rather than just tightening skin.
  • Longer-lasting improvements in facial shape and volume.
  • Reduced risks of skin complications due to better blood supply.
  • Less visible scarring from tension-free skin closure.
  • A more effective lift of the midface, jawline, and neck skin.

While the SMAS facelift lifts the superficial musculoaponeurotic system separately from the skin, the deep plane facelift lifts both layers together, resulting in a stronger, more natural lift that better resists the effects of gravity over time.

How Long Do Deep Plane Facelift Results Last?

The results of a deep plane facelift are considered facelift surgery permanent in terms of structural repositioning, with most patients enjoying benefits for 10 to 15 years. While the natural ageing process continues, the deep repositioning of tissues slows visible signs of ageing significantly.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, good skincare, and sun protection will help prolong your youthful appearance after surgery.

Cost of Deep Plane Facelift in London

The cost of a deep plane facelift London varies depending on the complexity of the surgery and any additional procedures combined. Prices typically start from £18,000. A personalized quote will be provided after your consultation, ensuring transparency and tailored care.

Investing in a skilled cosmetic surgeon ensures optimal results and minimizes risks, making the cost worthwhile for a natural and lasting facial rejuvenation.

If you are ready to restore your youthful appearance with natural, long-lasting results, contact our Harley Street clinic today to schedule your consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon specializing in the deep plane facelift London. Experience the benefits of this surgical procedure designed for profound and natural facial rejuvenation.

Why is Deep Plane Facelift a Good Choice?

Patients who prefer the natural, long-term, and structurally effective procedure of facial rejuvenation choose the deep plane surgery facelift. It gets down to the anatomical basis of ageing, providing findings that are impossible with skin-only or superficial SMAS methods.

Complete Structural Revitalisation

This procedure helps to elevate the lower strata of the face under the SMAS, and the facial retaining ligaments are liberated, and the cheek and midface tissues are rearranged as one unit. Reforming the anatomical descent of the facial structures, it recreates the contour of youth and forms the face shape better than conventional facelifts.

Natural-Appearing and Balanced Results

The deep plane facelift can be chosen by patients as it rejuvenates without giving them the appearance of being stretched or pulled. It is the deeper tissues that carry the tension and not the skin, which enables the skin to move smoothly and naturally and also gives the person a refreshed appearance without losing his or her character.

Better Correction of Age-Related Change

Signs of ageing, like sagging cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, jowls, and heaviness of the lower face, are greatly enhanced using this technique. Together with a neck lift, it can also remodel the jaw and make the neck-chin shape more sculpted.

Long-Lasting Results

The deep tissues are also raised at the point of origin, hence showing a result that lasts 10 to 15 years or more. The repositioned structures stand up against gravitational descent much longer than those methods acting on tightening the skin or plating the SMAS.

Less Risky Healing and More Skin Quality

The composite flap technique maintains blood flow to the skin, reduces the risk of healing complications, and yields finer, less conspicuous scars. A smoother, more comfortable recovery is also achieved with reduced skin tension.

Perfect as Primary or Revision Surgery

The deep plane technique is one of the strongest, most natural, and longest-lasting methods of facial rejuvenation, whether it is the first facelift or an attempt to mitigate the limitations of older procedures.

 

Extended Deep Plane Facelift Options

The extended deep plane facelift is an advanced form of the usual deep plane method, which applies to patients who need a stronger correction of the ageing of the midface and lower face. The surgeon can get a higher degree of mobility of the cheek tissues, jowl tissues, and jawline tissues by continuing the dissection under the SMAS and incising more of the retaining ligaments.

The method is especially great with those who have strong sagging, deep nasolabial lines, heavy jowls, or square, bottom-heavy facades. The extended technique achieves a natural expression without imposing an artificial look by lifting the deeper tissues with a stronger vertical and lateral vector, restoring youthful contour and definition.

Due to its increased lifting force, the extended deep plane facelift is many times preferred by patients who want to rejuvenate dramatically but in a natural way or by patients whose signs of ageing are more advanced. It may also be used together with complementary procedures, e.g., neck lift or fat grafting, to give balanced, long-term, three-dimensional facial rejuvenation.