A deep plane facelift lifts the structural layer of the face to restore cheek support, refine the jawline and smooth early neck laxity while keeping natural expression. It elevates the midface so smile lines and marionette shadows soften. The SMAS and cheek fat pads are repositioned as a unit to rebuild natural contours. Skin is then redraped with minimal tension for a smooth, settled look.
By mobilizing deeper retaining points rather than pulling skin, results tend to look more authentic and move naturally in daily life.
This approach also supports healthy blood supply and a calmer recovery when planned well. Many patients notice a cleaner jawline at rest and a face that still looks like them when they smile or speak. The goal is longevity so you continue to age from a younger baseline.
Once early swelling settles, a deep plane facelift reveals restored contours and a rested, natural expression.
The aim is harmony that moves with you day to day and ages from a younger baseline rather than a pulled look.
You continue to age from a younger baseline. Many patients enjoy visible benefit for a decade or longer when they protect their skin and maintain a stable weight.
Contemporary systematic reviews comparing deep approaches with SMAS techniques find both deliver robust outcomes with high satisfaction over time. The right choice is individualized to your anatomy and goals.
How long a deep plane facelift lasts is shaped by your biology, your habits and the way the lift is built.
While genetics set the baseline, consistent sun protection, weight stability and a surgeon who restores deep support help your results look natural for years.
The sections below outline what influences longevity and the measures used to protect results during healing.
Week 1 to 2
Early swelling can blur the improvement, but most patients already notice a cleaner jawline and a lighter midface. Bruising begins to fade. Head elevation and short walks help swelling resolve so the contour shows sooner.
Weeks 3 to 6
You look presentable in person and on camera. Tightness softens. The cheeks sit higher with softer smile lines, and the jawline reads straighter in normal lighting. Most patients return to light social plans during this window.
Months 3 to 6
Definition sharpens across the cheek and jawline as the skin redrapes over the lifted layer. The neck angle looks crisper. Scars blend into natural creases and are hard to notice in daily conversation.
One year and beyond
Fine refinements continue as deep tissues fully settle. The lifted contour becomes your new baseline so you keep aging from a younger starting point.
A focused recovery plan protects the new contour, limits swelling, and sets up long lasting results.
Preventing bruising and collections
Meticulous hemostasis and steady blood pressure protect the skin and the new contour. This lowers the chance of collections that can distort shape.
Comfort plan that supports healing
A multimodal plan keeps you comfortable and moving without slowing recovery. The goal is less swelling, smoother skin drape and an easier return to daily life.
Protecting natural movement
Careful dissection and respect for nerve pathways preserve expression. Temporary weakness can occur and usually resolves as swelling fades. Natural motion is part of a natural result.
Selective deep neck work helps patients with true deep neck fullness achieve a sharper angle. Addressing deeper contributors such as subplatysmal fat, digastric prominence, or visible submandibular glands can create a cleaner transition from the jawline to the neck when indicated.
Small volume fat transfer can soften hollow areas so the lift looks complete. These options are individualized during consultation and staged to fit anatomy and timeline, supporting smooth recovery and a natural, balanced look.
The Artiste Lift™ is a preservation deep plane approach to facelift surgery. It prioritizes lifting the deeper structural layer so the face moves naturally and expression is preserved.
This method maintains key retaining ligaments and respects blood supply where appropriate. Tension is placed on the deep layer rather than the skin, and selective deep neck refinement is added when indicated to sharpen the jawline and cervicomental angle.
The goal is a youthful contour with natural motion and a recovery that fits modern life.
How long do deep plane facelift results typically last?
Most patients enjoy visible benefit for a decade or longer. Longevity varies with skin quality, sun protection, weight stability, and the way the lift restores deep support rather than skin tension alone.
When do results look their best after surgery?
Contours keep refining for months. Early definition appears as swelling settles in weeks 3 to 6, with sharper cheek and jawline definition by months 3 to 6. Subtle improvements continue to one year as deep tissues fully settle.
Does a deep plane facelift age more naturally than a skin-tightening approach?
Deep plane techniques mobilize deeper retaining points so the face moves naturally, which helps avoid a pulled look. Comparative reviews find both deep plane and SMAS methods deliver robust outcomes and high satisfaction over time, with choice tailored to anatomy and goals.
What habits most influence how long my results last?
Daily sunscreen, stable weight, and consistent skincare support longevity. Genetics and collagen quality set your baseline, while a plan that restores deep support helps results age more gracefully.
Do patients feel younger or more confident after a facelift?
Validated FACE-Q studies show high satisfaction and improved quality of life, with patients reporting they feel and appear several years younger after facelifting.
Can non-surgical care help maintain a fresh look over time?
Yes. Skincare and periodic office treatments can support tone and texture as you age, complementing the surgical lift.
Patient-reported tools like FACE-Q are widely used to track durable satisfaction after aesthetic treatments.
How do weight changes affect long-term results?
Significant weight loss or gain can alter facial fullness and neck contour, which may soften definition. Maintaining a stable weight helps preserve results.
What steps reduce bruising so results show sooner?
Keeping blood pressure steady around surgery and avoiding blood-thinning supplements and medications unless cleared are key measures linked with lower hematoma risk, helping the new contour present cleanly.
Are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs safe after a facelift?
When chosen appropriately, plastic-surgery data show NSAIDs can reduce opioid use without increasing hematoma risk. Your regimen is individualized to your health profile.
What is the risk of nerve injury and how does that affect results?
Systematic reviews report a low pooled rate of permanent motor nerve injury after facelift, with most temporary weakness resolving as swelling subsides. Careful technique protects natural movement and expression.
When might a touch-up or secondary lift be considered?
A small percentage of patients pursue revisions or a later secondary lift years down the road to address new aging changes. Reviews show both deep plane and SMAS techniques achieve high satisfaction with durable results, so timing is individualized.
Dr. Richard Balikian is a highly respected facial plastic surgeon serving the San Diego area.
With over 20 years of experience and double board certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Balikian offers a unique combination of technical expertise and artistic vision.
He is part of an elite group of surgeons with extensive training focused exclusively on the face and neck.
Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery: Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
