If you’re researching facelifts or ways to rejuvenate your face, you’ve probably come across the term ‘deep-plane facelift‘. Over the past decade, this advanced surgical procedure has become one of the most sophisticated facelift procedures available. Unlike older facelift techniques, the deep-plane face lift modern approach works on the underlying structures. This means it tightens the excess skin and restores the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues to create youthful contours.
As more and more people seek subtle rejuvenation, the deep-plane facelift has emerged as the gold standard. It is particularly popular among patients looking to address sagging cheeks, soften deep folds and redefine the jawline. Cosmedica Aesthetics attracts patients from Europe and beyond with its advanced facelift in Turkey and luxury-level care.
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What is a Deep-Plane Facelift?
A deep-plane facelift is a more advanced type of facelift that focuses on lifting and tightening the deeper layers of the face. During the procedure, the plastic surgeon gently repositions the underlying soft facial tissues and muscles. These areas provide the true support for your face and neck.
Rather than pulling the skin on the surface, the deep-plane technique works beneath the SMAS layer. The superficial musculoaponeurotic system is a sheet of muscle and connective tissue that shapes the cheeks and lower face.
The main goal of this technique is to make the middle and lower part of the face look younger and more balanced. It smooths deep smile lines, improves sagging in the cheeks and jawline and adds subtle volume to areas of facial ageing. The treatment is under the skin for more natural results which last longer than older traditional facelifts.
Another good thing about it is that patients won’t get the ‘tight’ or ‘windblown’ look that was sometimes left behind by older facelift methods. Instead, the deep-plane facelift refreshes your face in a balanced and graceful way. It removes the signs of ageing and makes you look younger without changing your face or personality.
How It’s Done
A deep-plane facelift is done under general anaesthesia or sometimes with deep sedation. Therefore, you will feel completely comfortable during the surgery.
The surgeon starts by making small cuts around the ear. They begin in the hairline near the temples and go around the ear to hide the scars in the natural folds of skin. If the neck needs to be lifted too, a small cut can be made under the chin to tighten and smooth that area.
The key difference with this technique is that the surgeon works under a layer of muscle and connective tissue called the SMAS layer. By lifting these deeper tissues, including the cheeks and jawline, the face can be repositioned from its foundation. This makes the significant improvement more natural and long-lasting.
Once everything is lifted into place, the deeper layers are secured and the skin is gently pulled back over the new structure. The aim is to create a smooth, youthful contour without any tight or “pulled” look.
There are also modern versions of the deep-plane facelift. Some surgeons make smaller cuts so that the scars are less visible. Others use special cameras to help them work more accurately and quickly. The exact technique depends on your face shape, skin quality, and what you want to achieve.
In simple terms: a deep-plane facelift doesn’t just tighten — it reshapes and restores your face to make it look fresher and more balanced.
Benefits vs Other Facelift Types
Natural, structural improvement
Longer-lasting results
Higher patient satisfaction
Studies and surgeon surveys consistently show very high patient satisfaction rates for deep-plane facelifts — often above 90%. Patients appreciate the combination of a naturally refreshed appearance, smoother contours, and minimal visible tension on the skin. The deep-plane approach tends to produce results that feel authentic and confidence-boosting, not artificial.
Balanced rejuvenation
Improved healing and scar quality
Alternatives and Complementary Procedures
A deep-plane facelift can make a big difference on its own, but it’s often combined with other treatments. Every face ages in different ways — some people lose volume, others develop loose skin or texture changes. Combining procedures allows the surgeon to treat all these signs of aging together for smoother, more natural results.
Common complementary procedures include:
- Neck lift in Turkey: Often performed at the same time as a facelift to tighten loose skin under the chin and along the neck. This helps create a smooth transition between the jawline and neck, giving a youthful and refined profile.
- Fat transfer: A small amount of your fat is taken from another area (like the abdomen). It is purified, and injected into areas of the face that have lost fullness — such as the cheeks. This restores soft, natural volume and enhances the overall result of the facelift.
- Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery in Turkey): Aging often affects the eyes first, leading to droopy eyelids or puffiness. Eyelid surgery removes or repositions excess skin and fat to make the eyes look brighter. After the procedure your eyes look more rested, perfectly complementing a facelift.
- Skin resurfacing: Treatments such as laser therapy, chemical peels, or microneedling can smooth the skin’s surface. They reduce fine lines, and improve tone and texture. Since a facelift mainly lifts deeper tissues, resurfacing helps refresh the outer layer of the skin.
For people who are not ready for a facelift, there are non-surgical options:
- Dermal fillers: Injectable gels that add volume to the cheeks, lips, and around the mouth. Thy soften wrinkles and restore facial contours.
- Neuromodulators (Botox): These relax facial muscles to reduce frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet. Like that you can achieve a smoother, younger look.
- Thread lift in Turkey: A less invasive procedure that uses dissolvable threads to lift the skin slightly. This is ideal for mild sagging or early signs of aging.
- Mini-facelift: A smaller surgical lift that targets the lower face and jawline. We often recommend it for younger patients or those with mild to moderate skin laxity.
Practical Checklist if You’re Considering a Deep-plane Facelift in Turkey
- Surgeon qualifications. Ask for the surgeon’s board certification, years of experience specifically performing deep-plane facelifts, and hospital privileges. Request case lists and recent before/after photos of other patients.
- Clinic accreditation. Prefer clinics with recognized international accreditation (e.g., JCI) or clear hospital affiliations.
- Detailed quote & inclusions. What’s included in the price (hospital fees, anaesthesia, overnight stay, follow-ups, revisions)? Are there clear refund/cancellation policies?
- Postoperative plan. Who handles complications after you travel home? Is a follow-up appointment included? How long should you stay in Istanbul before flying home?
- Second opinion. If anything seems off, get another expert opinion (locally or via online consultation). You can also get an opinion and a cost evaluation at your home country.
- Travel & logistics. Factor in travel, accommodation, and the need for someone to accompany you for the first 48–72 hours.
- Realistic expectations. No surgeon can guarantee a “perfect” result. Also marketing can blur differences between true deep-plane technique and lesser procedures labelled “deep.” Ask exactly what will be done on your anatomy.
Final Thoughts
The deep-plane facelift is a powerful cosmetic surgery that focuses on the anatomy to deliver natural facial rejuvenation. However, it must be performed by a highly experienced surgeon. Contact our beauty clinic Cosmedica Aesthetic in Istanbul if you have any questions!