A deep plane facelift releases and repositions the SMAS and overlying skin as one unit, which lifts the midface. A traditional facelift tightens the lower face and jawline by pulling skin and the SMAS layer, with limited effect on the cheek. We offer both procedures at Vivify Plastic Surgery.
Deep Plane Facelift vs. Traditional Facelift: Which Technique Lifts the Midface?
Facial aging does not stop at the jawline. Volume shifts downward, the cheek flattens, and the fold beside the nose deepens. These changes start in the midface.
Technique determines whether a facelift can address them. Comparing both approaches is important so you know what each one changes.
What Is a Traditional Facelift?
A traditional facelift lifts the skin and tightens the SMAS, the layer of connective tissue beneath the skin. The surgeon makes incisions near the ears and hairline, then adjusts the SMAS and removes excess skin.
How Does a Traditional Facelift Work?
Surgeons commonly use one of two SMAS methods:
- SMAS plication: folds and sutures the layer to tighten it.
- SMASectomy: removes a strip of the layer before closing.
Both approaches lift tissue along a vertical pull near the jaw. The cheek sits further from that pull, so its change is modest.
What Does a Traditional Facelift Treat Best?
This technique works well for early to moderate aging. It improves:
- Mild jowling
- Loose skin along the lower face
- Early definition loss along the jawline
What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?
A deep plane facelift at Vivify Plastic Surgery releases the SMAS from the ligaments that anchor it and lifts the SMAS and skin together. The deep plane technique was first described by Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Sam T. Hamra in a 1990 article in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, building on earlier sub-SMAS work by Tord Skoog.
How Does a Deep Plane Facelift Work?
Your Vivify Plastic Surgery surgeon frees the SMAS from the retaining ligaments that hold the cheek in place. Once released, the SMAS, cheek fat, and skin move upward as one layer.
Because the tissue moves as a unit, the surgeon can reposition cheek volume instead of only tightening skin.
Why Does the Deep Plane Technique Reach the Midface?
The retaining ligaments in the cheek limit how far tissue can move. A traditional lift leaves many of them intact. A deep plane release frees them, so the midface can be repositioned toward its younger location.
How Do Deep Plane and Traditional Facelifts Compare?
| Factor | Traditional Facelift | Deep Plane Facelift |
|---|---|---|
| Layer treated | Skin and SMAS tightening | SMAS and skin repositioned together |
| Midface lift | Limited | Significant |
| Nasolabial folds | Minimal change | Often softened |
| Jowls and jawline | Improved | Improved |
| Technical demand | Moderate | High |
| Typical longevity | Shorter on average | Often longer |
What Midface Changes Can a Deep Plane Facelift Address?
Midface aging shows up in specific ways. A deep plane facelift can improve:
- Flattened or hollow cheeks
- Deep nasolabial folds
- Descent of the cheek fat pad
- Jowls that form as midface volume drops
Results depend on your anatomy. Dr. Dallas Buchanan will show you what is realistic during your consultation.
What Are the Risks of Each Facelift Technique?
Both procedures share standard surgical risks. These include bleeding, infection, scarring, and changes in sensation.
Risks Specific to Deep Plane Facelift
Dissection is deeper, so the surgeon must know the course of the facial nerve branches well. Temporary weakness can occur from swelling. Permanent injury is uncommon in skilled hands. Choose a surgeon who performs this technique regularly.
Risks Specific to Traditional Facelift
Tension placed mainly on the skin can widen scars or create an overpulled look. Results may soften sooner because the SMAS and skin are not fully released.
How Long Is Recovery After Each Facelift?
Recovery for the two techniques is similar. Expect swelling and bruising for the first one to two weeks. Many patients feel ready for social settings within two to three weeks, though timelines vary.
Deep plane surgery can cause slightly more early swelling because of the deeper release. Your Vivify team will provide a detailed aftercare plan covering sleep position, activity, and follow-up visits.
How Long Do Deep Plane and Traditional Facelift Results Last?
Surgeons often report longer-lasting results with deep plane lifts because the deeper layer carries the support. Your face will keep aging after either surgery, but you start from a younger baseline.
Lifestyle also affects longevity. Sun protection, not smoking, and stable weight help preserve results.
Am I a Candidate for a Deep Plane Facelift?
Deep plane is often recommended when aging goes beyond the jawline. Good candidates usually:
- Have midface descent or deep nasolabial folds
- Show moderate to advanced jowling
- Are in good overall health
- Do not smoke, or will stop before surgery
- Have realistic expectations
A traditional facelift may suit you if aging is mild and limited to the lower face. A surgeon can also pair either technique with a neck lift or eyelid surgery.
Can Non-Surgical Treatments Replace a Facelift?
Fillers and energy-based skin tightening can soften early changes. They do not reposition deeper tissue. For patients with moderate descent, they usually work as a complement to surgery or a way to delay it, not a replacement.
Why Choose Vivify Plastic Surgery for a Deep Plane Facelift?
Dr. Dallas Buchanan, MD, FACS, is the founder of Vivify Plastic Surgery in Tampa. He is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and his practice focuses on cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, and body.
What Training Does Dr. Buchanan Have in Facial Plastic Surgery?
Dr. Buchanan's path includes:
- Medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine
- Five-year general surgery residency in Birmingham, Alabama, finishing as Chief Resident
- Three-year plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship at Temple University Medical Center, finishing as Chief Resident
That is a total of eight years of surgical training before he entered private practice.
Has Dr. Buchanan Published Research on Midface Aging?
Yes. He co-authored the opening chapter of Clinics in Plastic Surgery volume 41, titled "Contemporary Thoughts on Lower Eyelid/Midface Aging" (2015, PMID 25440737). He also co-authored a chapter on the preperiosteal midface lift in Pearls and Pitfalls in Cosmetic Oculoplastic Surgery.
What Professional Recognition Has Dr. Buchanan Earned?
His bio lists several distinctions:
- Member of the ASPS Emerging Trends Committee
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
- Tampa Magazine "Top Docs" winner for Best Plastic Surgeon: Face, 2020, 2021, 2025, and 2026
- Former associate clinical professor, University of Washington School of Medicine
What Is It Like to Have a Facelift With Vivify Plastic Surgery?
Dr. Buchanan personally meets every new patient. He reviews your goals, examines your face, and builds a plan that may include surgical or non-surgical treatment.
Surgery takes place in accredited, state-licensed or Medicare-certified facilities. You can review before-and-after photos and patient reviews before booking.
Can You Combine a Deep Plane Facelift With Other Procedures?
Dr. Buchanan can pair a deep plane facelift with a deep plane neck lift, eyelid surgery, or facial fat grafting. Patients from outside the area can find details on our traveling patients page.
Schedule a Deep Plane Facelift Consultation at Vivify Plastic Surgery
The technique decides whether a facelift reaches the midface. Book a consultation with Vivify Plastic Surgery to learn which approach fits your anatomy and goals. Dr. Buchanan and his team are excited to help you on this journey.
