PROCEDURE

Deep Plane Facelift

The deep plane facelift is a desirable procedure for those looking to diminish signs of ageing using some of the most advanced techniques in modern cosmetic surgery. For many, the onset of ageing brings along its subtle, yet persistent reminders that we are indeed not getting any younger. With this, patients opt for surgery such as deep plane facelifts to bring back the youthfulness in their appearance.

Book your consultation today for deep plane facelifts in London.

 

Exceptional Deep Plane Facelift Results

As we age, our skin naturally starts to lose its elasticity as collagen levels decrease. Consequently, the soft lines that once only appeared with a smile deepen, the vibrant contours of youth begin to soften, and you’ll start to notice the formation of more prominent wrinkles, fine lines, crow’s feet, jowls, nasolabial folds, and sagging skin particularly around the neck. In our modern world, where 50 is the new 30, accepting these visible signs of ageing no longer has to be a foregone conclusion – instead, we have advanced medical treatments such as the deep plane facelift designed to bring back your youth in a natural way.

At a glance

Deep Plane Facelift Procedure Length:
Deep Plane Facelift Procedure Length:

Typically 2-5 hours.

Deep Plane Facelift Cost:
Deep Plane Facelift Cost:

Starting at £15,900.

Hospital Stay:
Hospital Stay:

An overnight stay maybe recommended.

Anaesthesia:
Anaesthesia:

Typically general anesthesia. Local anaesthesia with sedation may be an option.

Downtime:
Downtime:

10-14 days for visible recovery.

Sleeping:
Sleeping:

Sleep with the head elevated for the first week post surgery.

Smoking:
Smoking:

Should be avoided at least 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery.

Direct Exposure to Sunlight:
Direct Exposure to Sunlight:

Should be avoided for 6 weeks post procedure and a high SPF applied when outdoors.

Make-Up:
Make-Up:

Refrain from applying make-up for at least 10 days post procedure.

Exercise:
Exercise:

Strenuous activities or heavy lifting to be avoided for at least 4 weeks.

What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?

“Deep plane” sounds technical, even a little daunting, but the idea behind it is simple and reassuring.

The face is built in layers: skin, a layer of fat, the SMAS (the supportive sheet of tissue beneath the fat), the facial muscles, and the bone. In an older facelift, the skin is lifted away from the SMAS and pulled tight. A deep plane facelift works differently: the skin and the SMAS are kept attached to one another and moved together as a single unit. The lift comes not from tightening the skin, but from releasing the ligaments that tether the deeper tissues and repositioning the whole layer to where it sat in youth.

Because the two layers stay joined, only minimal skin undermining is needed. For this reason the technique is sometimes described as a preservation approach, or preservation deep plane facelift — it preserves the natural connection between the skin and the structure beneath it.

Keeping the layers together, and lifting from the deeper ligaments rather than the surface, has three real advantages:

Less trauma to the skin. With minimal undermining, the skin’s blood supply is preserved, which supports healthy healing.

A natural result. The face is supported from within rather than pulled tight at the surface, avoiding the over-tightened, “done” look.

Powerful, long-lasting results. The structural layer that actually descends with age is the one being repositioned, so the improvement is both substantial and durable.

It is also particularly effective in the midface and cheeks, where it repositions the cheek fat to its original, more youthful position.

For these reasons, the deep plane facelift is the approach Mr Kshem Yapa performs for the majority of his patients, and the technique he most prefers.

Often combined with a deep neck lift and lateral brow lift

The deep plane facelift addresses the midface, cheeks, jowls, jawline and lower face. To rejuvenate the face evenly, rather than leaving a refreshed lower face alongside an unchanged brow or neck, it is often combined with a deep neck lift and a lateral brow lift.

Together, these address laxity across the upper, mid and lower face and the neck in a balanced way, so the result looks harmonious and natural rather than partial. Mr Yapa will advise which combination best suits your anatomy and goals.

Kshem Yapa is one of Londons Leading Deep Plane Facelift Surgeons

Mr Kshem Yapa is a board-certified plastic surgeon located in London, providing natural yet profound plastic surgeries for patients worldwide. He performs his transformative surgeries at the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital, ensuring his patients are kept in the highest quality and most attentive care. Mr Yapa, as well as being a recognised member of BAAPS, is sub-specialised in advanced facial plastic surgery treatments, which includes the deep plane facelift.

 

A surgeon who truly prides himself on patient satisfaction, Mr Yapa understands the impact physical insecurities can place on everyday life. Providing a safe and effective solution for patients, Kshem Yapa guides patients through their surgical journey for deep plane facelifts, from the initial consultation to the end of their recovery. 

 

You can view Kshem Yapa’s exceptional Deep Plane Facelift lift ‘before and afters’ on his instagram page.

Ideal Candidates For Deep Plane Facelifts

As with all surgery, suitability is determined at consultation.

In general, the ideal candidate has visible signs of ageing—jowls, sagging in the midface, deepening folds, and a softening jawline. The sweet spot is typically the mid-40s to mid-50s, when these changes are becoming established but the tissues still respond especially well.

That said, the deep plane facelift is readily and very effectively applied to patients in their 60s, 70s and beyond—age itself is rarely a barrier.

Where there is also prominent sagging in the neck, a deep plane neck lift is often recommended in combination with the facelift, and a lateral brow lift may be added to balance the upper face.

Overall health is taken into account. Heavy smokers and patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure may not be suitable candidates, which will be assessed during your consultation.

Benefits of a Deep Plane Facelift

Understanding the benefits of a deep plane facelift can help you make an informed decision. A handful of these benefits include:

  • Comprehensive Rejuvenation

    Rather than treating surface wrinkles alone, the deep plane facelift adjusts the deeper tissues and releases the ligaments responsible for facial descent, for a more complete result, particularly in the midface.

  • Minimal & Finer Scarring:

    Because far less skin undermining is required, the incisions are placed under minimal tension, which helps scars heal discreetly within the natural contours of the ear and hairline.

  • Long-lasting Results:

    By repositioning the structural layer of the face, the deep plane technique generally gives a more durable result than a traditional SMAS or skin-only facelift.

  • Natural, not "done":

    Support comes from the repositioned deeper layer rather than from pulling the skin, so the result reads as a rested, more youthful version of yourself.

  • Preserved skin health:

    Preserved skin health. Minimal undermining keeps the skin’s blood supply intact, supporting good healing. Some swelling is expected in the early weeks (see recovery), but the skin itself is handled gently.

Deep Plane Facelift vs Other Facelift Procedures

There are several facelift techniques, and the right one depends on your goals, your facial anatomy and the assessment made at your consultation. In outline:

Works in the plane between the SMAS and the facial muscles, repositioning the skin, fat and SMAS together as a single unit and releasing the deeper ligaments. This comprehensive approach is especially effective in the midface and gives a natural, long-lasting result.

Also addresses the SMAS, but does not release the ligaments deep to it, so the result is generally less powerful and less long-lasting.

An older method that lifts and tightens the skin alone, without addressing the SMAS or deeper layers. Recovery can be quicker, but results are less natural and less durable, and can produce a tight, “windswept” appearance.

Deep Plane Facelift Procedure

A deep plane facelift is usually performed under general anaesthesia, administered by a fully qualified consultant anaesthetist, with Mr Yapa supported by a full surgical team. It can sometimes be a day case but often involves an overnight stay.

  • Precise incisions

    These are made within the sideburn, around and behind the ear, where they sit in the natural contours and heal discreetly. A small incision beneath the chin is sometimes needed. The key to fine scars is keeping the skin free of tension.

  • Releasing and repositioning

    Through these incisions, the deeper tissues are elevated in the plane between the SMAS and the muscle layer. The retaining ligaments are released, allowing the skin and SMAS to be repositioned together, without tension — softening folds and restoring a refined facial contour.

  • Refining

    Any genuinely redundant skin or fat is carefully removed, restoring a youthful contour without over-tightening.

  • Closure

    The incisions are sutured closed. A small drain is occasionally placed to prevent fluid collecting, supporting a smooth recovery.

The Risks and Complications with Deep Plane Facelifts

As with all surgery, a deep plane facelift carries risks. Mr Yapa takes every step to minimise them, but they cannot be reduced to zero. They include swelling and bruising (usually settling over 2–3 weeks), temporary numbness, temporary facial weakness (which nearly always resolves fully), scarring, bleeding or a collection of blood beneath the skin (haematoma), infection, minor contour irregularity, and the risks of anaesthesia. Following pre- and post-operative guidance, particularly not smoking, helps reduce these risks.

Swelling is common after the deep plane facelift procedure, they usually subside within 2-3 weeks.

Temporary sensation loss around the surgical area may occur, which typically resolves over time.

As deep plane facelift surgery occurs close to the facial nerves which move the face, patients may experience facial weakness postoperatively. This nearly always completely resolves with time.

Though incisions are strategically placed for minimal visibility, scars are an inevitable part of the process.

Hematoma is the accumulation of blood under the skin, requiring surgical drainage in some cases.

A rare but possible complication, requiring prompt treatment.

Occasionally, areas might heal with an irregular texture or contour, although again this normally resolves.

As with any procedure under general anaesthesia, there’s a minimal risk of complications such as allergic reactions or breathing difficulties. Anaesthesia has never been safer and our expert anaesthetists will chat to you beforehand and put you at ease.

Deep Plane Facelift Recovery

Recovery varies between individuals. The first days bring swelling and bruising, easing over the first week. A deep plane facelift can produce more swelling early on than some traditional techniques, given the deeper work involved, but this reduces significantly over the first three to four weeks. Cold compresses and rest help.

The rejuvenating effect is visible as soon as the dressings come off, but the most refined, settled result emerges at around the three-month mark, as the skin, muscle and deeper tissues fully adapt.

24-hour Response Team

Every surgical patient receives a direct phone line to our specialist surgical nurse, available 24 hours a day for any concerns, side effects or questions. Our priority is a safe, well-supported recovery, with clear communication at every stage.

Deep Plane Facelift FAQs

Research and insight is key in determining whether deep plane surgery is right for you. The decision to undergo a deep plane facelift should not be a swift one, however, we are here to guide you on your journey and support you with tailored advice and a modern approach. Our main focus is to ensure patients have a pleasant and safe journey with us. See our following deep plane facelift FAQs, but please contact us if you would like to book a consultation so we can refine our advice to your individual needs.

Yes. It is most commonly combined with a deep neck lift and a lateral brow lift, so that the upper, mid and lower face and neck are rejuvenated evenly and in balance. It may also be combined with eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) or facial fat grafting to restore lost volume. After recovery, some patients add non-surgical treatments such as anti-wrinkle injections or skin-hydration treatments to refine the result. Whether procedures can safely be combined depends on your health and individual risk, which is assessed at consultation.

This is decided together at consultation, where Mr Yapa assesses your anatomy, the degree of ageing, your skin and your goals, and explains honestly which technique is likely to achieve what you are hoping for.

You will be given tailored pre-operative guidance. In general this includes stopping smoking well before and after surgery, and following advice on medicines and supplements. Your specific instructions will be provided ahead of your procedure.

Most of the early swelling settles over the first three to four weeks, with the most refined result emerging at around three months.

What is the cost of a deep plane facelift?

A deep plane facelift in London typically costs between £10,000 and £30,000. 

Factors influencing cost include a surgeon’s experience and expertise, the complexity of the procedure and the hospital/clinic the surgery is performed at. Adding additional procedures to a deep plane facelift will also increase the cost.
Prices for deep plane facelift procedures with Kshem Yapa can be found within our pricing page.
Financing options are available.
To learn more, please contact our secretary Lauren.

Book your consultation

If you would like to discuss this procedure in detail and understand if it’s the right procedure for your goals, book a consultation with Mr Kshem Yapa.

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Get in touch today

If you would like to book a consultation with Kshem Yapa, we offer face-to-face consultations at our Harley Street Clinic and virtual consultations for those unable to attend our clinic. 2026 consultation dates are now available to book online and cost £250 (redeemable against your surgery should you wish to proceed). You can also join our waiting list to be notified when new dates become available. For general enquiries or to learn a little more about our procedures and services please contact us via the form below to request a call back.

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