Deep Plane Facelift

Facelift surgery offers a highly effective way to reduce facial aging and achieve a more youthful appearance. However, some worry about the results looking stretched or unnatural with traditional methods. Choosing a skilled surgeon like Dr. Craft can help minimize these concerns, but a standard facelift may not suit every patient. For a natural-looking, comprehensive facial rejuvenation, consider a deep plane facelift in Phoenix.

What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?

A deep plane facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure and a popular alternative to the traditional facelift. During a deep plane facelift, Dr. Craft carefully lifts the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), a layer of connective tissue between your skin and your facial muscles. Addressing this layer of tissue allows the surgeon to achieve a more complete, natural-looking lift and rejuvenation.

The term “deep plane facelift” comes from the anatomic plane located between the SMAS layer of tissue and the deeper layer of facial muscles. Instead of pulling and removing skin like a standard facelift, the deep plane facelift focuses on releasing the ligaments and adjusting the layers of muscle and fat. With this method, Dr. Craft can make substantial improvements to the facial appearance without the risk of creating a “stretched” appearance.

Remarkable Results Following a Deep Plane Facelift with Dr. Craft

Benefits of a Deep Plane Facelift

The deep plane facelift in Phoenix is an effective procedure that can offer many notable benefits, including:

Makes the facial appearance look up to 10 to 15 years younger
Firms loose, saggy skin around the face, jawline, and neck
Enhances the definition of the cheekbones, jawline, and neck
Less likely to need revision procedures than a traditional facelift
Provides exceptionally natural-looking results
Less scarring and skin trauma than other facelift methods
Eliminates the appearance of jowls or a double chin
Lifts the brow to give the eyes a more youthful appearance
Eliminates fine lines and wrinkles
Increased self-confidence

Dr. Craft's Techinique

facelift techinique

What Should I Expect During the Surgery?

The first step of the deep plane facelift process will be to schedule your consultation with Dr. Craft. During this meeting, he will examine your facial skin and ask you about your hopes and goals for the procedure. He’ll talk to you about your treatment options and the different facelift methods available. Dr. Craft will then work closely with you to create a personalized treatment plan that suits your unique needs.

Your deep plane facelift will likely be performed as an outpatient procedure using either local anesthesia with IV sedation or general anesthesia. Dr. Craft will begin by making small incisions that run from your temples, around your ears, and under your hairline. He will then carefully separate your facial skin from the deeper tissues, which will allow him to identify the SMAS layer and lift it from the underlying muscles. Next, he will use sutures to anchor the SMAS tissue to different areas of the face and neck, allowing him to make significant adjustments to the structure of your face. Once everything has been properly positioned and secured, Dr. Craft will close the incisions and apply bandages.

The deep plane facelift is a complex procedure that can take approximately three to five hours to complete. After a few hours of monitoring, you’ll be able to return home with someone else driving you.

Featured Before and After

This illustration highlights Dr. Craft's approach to a Deep Plane Facelift and Deep Plane Neck Lift. His multi-faceted technique is designed to achieve natural-looking, long-lasting facial rejuvenation.

before facelift surgery

Recovery and Results

Dr. Craft will provide you with detailed instructions after your deep plane facelift in Phoenix to ensure that the recovery process goes smoothly. You will likely experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort, but you can minimize those symptoms by sleeping with your head elevated and periodically applying a cold compress. Most patients need to rest for approximately two weeks before returning to work and getting back to their normal routines. However, it’s best to wait at least four to six weeks before engaging in strenuous exercise.

The results of a deep plane facelift will gradually become visible as the swelling subsides and the tissue settles into its new position. This can take approximately six months. On average, you can expect the effects of the surgery to last for around 10 to 15 years.

Am I a Candidate for a Deep Plane Facelift?

Adults who want their facial skin lifted to create a more youthful appearance could be good candidates for a deep plane facelift. To be an ideal candidate, you should:

Be in good physical health
Have skin laxity around the face, jawline, and neck
Have the desire for smoother, firmer, more youthful-looking facial skin
Have the desire for enhanced definition of the cheeks, jawline, and neck
Have reasonable expectations
Be a non-smoker
Not be currently pregnant or breastfeeding
Have the desire to avoid the stretched, unnatural appearance sometimes caused by traditional facelifts

Why Choose Dr. Craft for Your Deep Plane Facelift?

Dr. Randall O. Craft is a double board-certified and Harvard-trained plastic surgeon and the founder of CraftMD. Dr. Craft prides himself on consistently providing patients with high-quality, personalized cosmetic treatment and superb, natural-looking results. Using his extensive training and his keen eye for aesthetics, he consistently helps patients achieve their goals and bring their inner beauty to the surface.

In addition to his clinical expertise, Dr. Craft has been invited to speak at the prestigious NYC Facelift & Rhinoplasty Master Course 2025, where he will be sharing his insights on advanced facelift techniques with top surgeons from around the world. This opportunity reflects Dr. Craft's position as a leader in the field of aesthetic surgery and his commitment to staying at the forefront of the latest innovations in cosmetic procedures.