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 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
Procedure Length:
Typically 2-5 hours.
Cost:
Starting at £15,900.
Hospital Stay:
An overnight stay maybe recommended.
Anaesthesia:
Typically general anesthesia. Local anaesthesia with sedation may be an option.
Downtime:
10-14 days for visible recovery.
Sleeping:
Sleep with the head elevated for the first week post surgery.
Smoking:
Should be avoided at least 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery.
Direct Exposure to Sunlight:
Should be avoided for 6 weeks post procedure and a high SPF applied when outdoors.
Make-Up:
Refrain from applying make-up for at least 10 days post procedure.
Exercise:
Strenuous activities or heavy lifting to be avoided for at least 4 weeks.
What Is The “Deep Plane”?
The deep plane refers to the region sandwiched between the (Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System) SMAS layer and facial muscles. Our face is intricately structured, comprising layers such as the skin, the fatty tissue beneath it, the SMAS, facial muscles, and finally, the protective lining over the facial bones, not to mention the bones themselves.
A deep plane facelift in London zeroes in on the deep plane, during which Mr Kshem Yapa repositions the cheek fat to its original, youthful spot. The deep plane facelift often produces more inconspicuous scarring than traditional facelift measures as it does not require as much undermining of skin and can have a more powerful impact on your mid-face.
Kshem Yapa For Deep Plane Facelifts
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.
Ideal Candidates For Deep Plane Facelifts
As with all cosmetic surgeries, patients will need to qualify for the treatment first, which can be determined by your plastic surgeon.
Generally for deep plane facelifts, the ideal candidate would be someone who has visible signs of ageing. This can include jowls, sagging in the midface, crow’s feet and so on. Signs of ageing tend to be most prominent for patients aged 40 years or older, hence why individuals around this time start to consider cosmetic surgery such as deep plane facelifts.
For patients with prominent sagging around the neck area, a deep plane neck lift may be recommended to be combined with the deep plane facelift. Patient health will also be taken into account. Heavy smokers and or patients with high blood pressure may not be eligible for the deep plane facelift, but this can also be determined during your consultation.
Benefits of 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 Ageing Redressal:
The deep plane facelift procedure doesn’t just tackle superficial wrinkles. It targets the root causes, adjusting deeper tissues and ligaments for a profound rejuvenation.
-
Minimal Scarring:
Designed to focus on deeper tissues, resulting scars are subtle, easily concealed, and diminish rapidly over time, ensuring a more natural appearance.
-
Durable Results:
Unlike traditional facelifts lasting 5-7 years, the deep plane facelift approach can offer rejuvenation that endures for an impressive 10-15 years due to its depth.
-
Authentic Enhancement:
Patients achieve a naturally refreshed appearance, steering clear of the obvious “work done” look. It’s a holistic adjustment of skin and underlying muscles.
-
Gentle Recovery:
Emphasis on deeper structures means less skin trauma. Expect reduced bruising and swelling, ensuring a discreet and smoother recovery period.
Deep Plane Facelift vs Other Facelift Procedures
There are multiple facelift techniques that can be applied by Mr Kshem Yapa depending on your goal, facial characteristics, and outcomes following your initial consultation. Below is an outline of how the deep plane facelift compares to other facelifts offered by Yapa Plastic Surgery:
The deep plane facelift specifically targets the deep plane layer, positioned between the SMAS (Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System) layer and facial muscles. The procedure repositions the whole facial architecture (including skin, fat and SMAS – as a singular entity). This comprehensive approach is particularly effective in rejuvenating the midface region.
A traditional SMAS Facelift also focuses on the SMAS layer beneath the skin but does not release ligaments deep to the SMAS and so does not lead to as long lasting or impactful results.
Skin-only facelifts are an older method, which involves addressing solely the elevation and adjustment of the skin, neglecting the SMAS or muscle layers underneath. Though there might be a quicker recovery period, the results may not be as natural or long-lasting and can lead to a windswept appearance.
A deep plane facelift is often undergone for the natural outcomes it can produce, which will help prevent the face from looking excessively taut or ‘stretched by the wind’. Its effects are durable and often lasting over ten years. This differs from other facelift methods which concentrate solely on the skin or the SMAS layer without deep release and as such might not yield as organic results.
Due to its comprehensive tissue manipulation, recovery from a deep plane facelift might be more prolonged, with patients potentially experiencing increased swelling and bruising. The typical recuperation period is around 10-14 days. Other Facelift methods which are less invasive, like the mini facelift or the SMAS lift, may have expedited recovery times.
Deep plane facelifts incisions are inconspicuously positioned to ensure minimal visibility, often behind the ears or within the hairline. The profound tissue manipulation also assists in reducing skin tension, thus lowering visible scarring risks.
A deep plane facelift offers a comprehensive solution that exceptionally covers and treats the mid-face, jowls, and neck. Other Facelift methods offer techniques that might address specific regions, such as a mini facelift for the lower facial area or a brow lift for the forehead.
Deep Plane Facelift Procedure
Deep plane facelifts are typically performed under a general anaesthetic, administered by a fully qualified anaesthetist. Mr Kshem Yapa will be accompanied by a surgical team when performing the procedure to ensure your utmost safety. This procedure can be done as a day case but often requires an overnight stay.
-
Strategic Incisions
Once anaesthesia has been administered and you are comfortable, Mr Kshem Yapa will start by creating precise incisions along the sideburn region, circulating around the ears, and behind the ears to make them less visible. Sometimes a second incision is required beneath the chin.
These incisions are carefully positioned within the natural contours of the ears and chin, ensuring that the resultant scars remain discreet and blend seamlessly as fine lines. The key to fine scarring is avoiding tension on the skin to produce a natural more youthful appearance.
-
Tissue Manipulation and Contouring
Through these incisions, the deeper facial tissues are elevated using specialised surgical instruments. The focus is on the space between the SMAS layer and the deeper muscle layer, associated with facial expressions.
Ligaments in the deep plane region are released, effectively diminishing marionette lines and ensuring free facial movement. This results in a reduction of sagging skin and a beautifully refined facial contour without tension and therefore a longer-lasting result.
-
Excess Skin and Fat Removal
After the tissues are repositioned, any surplus face and neck skin, as well as excess fat, is carefully excised. This ensures a youthful appearance without over-tightening.
-
Closure and Drains
The incisions are finally sutured closed. Depending on individual needs, a drain tube may be placed to prevent fluid accumulation, ensuring a smooth post-operative recovery.
Risks and Complications
As with all surgical procedures, a deep plane facelift comes with a set of risks and side effects. Mr Kshem Yapa will do his best to alleviate the likelihood of these occurring, however, despite following strict protocols, the risk of side effects or complications occurring cannot be dropped to zero. Some of the potential risks attributed to a deep plane facelift are:
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
Post-surgery recovery from a deep plane facelift can differ among individuals. Typically, the initial days following the procedure might bring on some swelling and bruising around the operated area, which generally diminishes within a week. Deep plane facelifts can lead to more swelling than some traditional facelift techniques but reduce significantly in the first 3-4 weeks.
Incorporating cold compresses frequently can further alleviate swelling, and allowing yourself the time to rest wouldn’t do you any harm.
While the rejuvenating effects of the surgery are noticeable almost immediately once you remove your bandage, the most authentic and refined appearance emerges around the three-month mark, as all facial components – skin, muscle, and tissues – fully adapt and settle.
24-hour Response Team
All surgical patients, including those undergoing a deep plane facelift, will receive a direct phone line to our specialist surgical nurse. You can contact our on-call service 24 hours a day, whether you have concerns, side effects or you have any unanswered queries, we will be more than willing to support your needs.
Our main focus is to ensure patients experience a seamless and safe journey with us. We hold patient communication in high regard, hence why we make sure that no one is left in the dark at any stage of their rejuvenation with us.
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.
It is possible to combine the deep plane facelift with other procedures for patients looking for a more comprehensive solution for facial rejuvenation.
For example, as the midface and neck region experience sagging, so can the upper and lower eyelid leading to a combination of deep plane lifting and blepharoplasty. Deep plane facelifts are frequently combined with the deep plane neck lift for a complete revitalisation of the facial area or with facial fat grafting to restore volume loss which happens as we age.
Following recovery, patients may also opt for non-surgical treatments such as botox to smooth any fine lines that the deep plane facelift did not address or skin hydration treatments such as profilo. Combining procedures can further refine the facial harmony whilst also solidifying one recovery timeline. However, it is important to keep in mind that not all procedures will be prohibited to be completed at once. Your health and potential risks and complications will be taken into account before suggesting combination procedures, but this can all be discussed during your consultation.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to facial rejuvenation techniques. Deep plane facelifts, although effective in achieving youthful results surreptitiously, may not be right for all patients and this will differ due to both environmental and hereditary factors.
If your goal is to reduce signs of ageing with a deeper, longer-lasting technique, a deep plane facelift may be the ideal solution for you. Particular patient concerns may include deep wrinkles, loose skin, jowls, and more. It is important to keep in mind that the deep plane facelift is considered to be more invasive than the traditional facelift, leading to longer recovery times and in some cases stricter patient criteria.
Booking a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon such as Kshem Yapa will help you on your journey to achieve the aesthetic results you are seeking. Here, you will receive advice from a surgeon who is adept at performing facial rejuvenation surgeries, as well as a bespoke treatment plan for favourable results.
The treatment plan and preparation for deep plane facelifts will be tailored for all patients. Here are some of the things for patients to keep in mind prior to committing to this surgery:
Stop Smoking – Smoking hinders the process of healing and can lead to infection. Ideally, you should stop smoking at least 4 weeks before surgery. The longer the break, the better.
Prepare Care – You need to have care arranged following your departure from the Lindo Wing. This includes someone to transport you from the hospital once you have been discharged, and also support at home to help you complete essential activities without risking the surgical area. Keep in mind that you will have 24-hour access to our surgical cosmetic nurse should any queries or concerns arise during recovery.
Check Medications – Be sure to disclose essential medications that you take to your surgeon prior to surgery. Prescriptions may need to be amended if your current one imposes any risk combined with the general anaesthesia that will be administered during surgery. This also applies to temporary medications, be sure to consult with your surgeon as to what medications should be avoided and how far in advance prior to surgery.
Listen To Your Surgeon – To encourage the safest and most effective possible outcome, be sure to listen to your surgeon’s pre-operative advice to avoid any complications.
Swelling is expected following a deep plane facelift. Once the swelling has subsided, you will be able to see the full extent of your facial rejuvenation results. On average, swelling is usually diminished after 3 months. This will differ depending on your recovery timeline, health status and if any combination treatments have taken place.
Reducing swelling following your deep plane facelift can be done so using a cold compress to reduce inflammation. Also, elevating your head during sleep using several pillows, or a medical-specific headrest will encourage drainage.
