Over time, gravity and volume loss cause the soft tissues of the midface, jawline, and neck to gradually descend. Whether you are seeking to restore youthful facial contours or refine inherited fullness beneath the chin, a Deep Plane Facelift offers the most natural-looking, comprehensive, and long-lasting facial rejuvenation available today.
At The Stern Center for Aesthetics, Dr. Corin Kinkhabwala and our surgical team specialize in deep plane face and neck contouring—delivering elegant, refreshed outcomes that never look “pulled” or artificial.
What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?
Unlike traditional facelifts that simply tighten the surface skin, a deep plane facelift works beneath the structural foundation of the face—known as the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system).
The SMAS layer supports the fat pads and muscles of your cheeks, jowls, and neck. By operating under this structural layer, our surgeons release the deep retaining ligaments that bind tissues down. This allows the entire facial framework—skin and underlying structure together—to be lifted smoothly and naturally into its ideal, youthful position.
The Preservation Advantage
Our surgical approach utilizes advanced preservation techniques. Keeping the skin attached to the underlying SMAS layer preserves vital blood supply, reduces post-operative skin irregularities, minimizes bruising, and creates a seamless, natural contour.
What Areas Does It Refresh?
- Cheeks & Midface: Lifts sagging cheek volume and softens deep smile lines (nasolabial folds).
- Jawline & Jowls: Eliminates jowling to restore a crisp, clean jawline.
- Neck & Chin: Tightens vertical neck bands and restores a sharp, graceful neck angle.
Comprehensive Deep Neck Contouring
A rejuvenated face deserves a beautifully sculpted neck. Neck contouring works seamlessly alongside a deep plane facelift to restore definition under the chin and jawline.
Layer-by-Layer Neck Sculpting
- Surface Fat Preservation: Superficial fat thins naturally with age. Our team carefully preserves this layer to avoid a “hollowed” appearance over time.
- Platysmaplasty (Muscle Tightening): Vertical neck bands are caused by laxity in the platysma muscle. The muscle is tightened along the midline and secured laterally for a firm, smooth contour.
- Deep Neck Sculpting: Heavy fullness beneath the muscle cannot be addressed with non-surgical treatments. Deep fat reserves, digastric muscles, or submandibular glands are precisely contoured on a customized basis.
Can I have a Neck Lift on its own?
Yes. If you desire a sculpted neckline without altering your cheeks or upper face, an isolated deep plane neck lift is an exceptional option—utilizing discreet incisions hidden behind the ears and under the chin.
Are You a Good Candidate?
You may be an ideal candidate for a deep plane facelift if you experience:
- Sagging or flattening in the cheeks and midface
- Prominent jowls and pronounced marionette lines
- Loose skin along the jawline or under the chin
- A desire to revise a previous facelift with natural, long-lasting structure
- Overall good health, non-smoking status, and realistic expectations
Complementary Procedures for Balanced Rejuvenation
Facial aging occurs across three distinct layers: bone, soft tissue, and skin quality. While a deep plane facelift restores structural soft tissue, combining targeted procedures ensures complete facial balance:
- Brow Lift & Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty): Opens and refreshes tired eyes to match your revitalized lower face.
- Fat Grafting: Uses your body’s natural fat and stem cells to restore youthful volume to sunken temples, cheeks, and lips.
- Laser Resurfacing: Erases fine lines, sun damage, and pigmentation that surgery alone cannot correct.
- Lip Lift: Shortens the distance between the nose and lip for a fuller, more youthful lip display.
- Chin Implant: Sharpens a weak chin and balances overall facial proportions.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The dreaded “pulled” look happens when skin is stretched tightly over static tissue. Because the deep plane approach repositions the deeper structural muscle layer (SMAS) rather than pulling the skin, your facial expressions remain completely soft, natural, and authentic.
Incisions are meticulously hidden along the natural hairline in front of the ear, around the earlobe, and slightly into the hairline behind the ear. When neck contouring is included, a tiny incision is hidden in the natural crease beneath your chin.
Candidates range from their late 40s +. The decision is based on anatomical laxity rather than age—whether addressing early jowling or genetic fullness beneath the chin.
Yes. Because the deep plane approach operates beneath previous surgical scar tissue, it preserves essential skin blood supply—making it one of the safest and most effective options for revision procedures.
Schedule Your Consultation in Bellevue
Take the first step toward timeless, elevated rejuvenation. Schedule a comprehensive consultation at The Stern Center for Aesthetics.
