A facelift and a deep-plane facelift both rejuvenate the face and neck, but they vary in how deeply they reposition tissues, how dramatic the improvement can be, and which patients are best suited to each procedure.
What Facelift Options Does Faces, PLLC Offer?
At Faces, PLLC in Ridgeland, MS, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. J. Randall Jordan focuses exclusively on facial plastic surgery, including facelift procedures, for complete facial rejuvenation. The practice serves patients from Jackson and throughout Mississippi and the Southeast, offering both surgical and non-surgical options tailored to each patient’s goals.
Facelift-related services at Faces include:
- Traditional facelift (full facelift for cheeks, jowls, and neck)
- Short incision or “mini” facelift (short scar facelift)
- The L.I.F.T. (Limited Incision Facelift Technique)
- SMAS facelift techniques
- Neck lift and complementary procedures (eyelid surgery, brow lift, chin/cheek implants, skin resurfacing)
- Non-surgical rejuvenation such as BOTOX®® and dermal fillers (often part of a “liquid facelift”)
Deep-plane facelift concepts are considered within this spectrum of facelift techniques, so treatment can be matched to your anatomy, skin quality, and downtime preferences.
What Is a Traditional Facelift?
A traditional facelift, or rhytidectomy, addresses aging of the mid-face, jowls, and neck by lifting and tightening the skin and the underlying SMAS (Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System) layer. At Faces, a full facelift typically refines the cheeks, jawline, and neck, while procedures such as eyelid surgery or brow lift are added separately when appropriate.
Common goals of a facelift at Faces include:
- Smoother, more youthful facial contours
- Better-defined jawline and neck
- A more rested, refreshed appearance
- Reduced sagging in the lower face
- Improvement that helps your appearance more closely match how you feel
Traditional facelift techniques usually involve incisions around the hairline and ears. Through these incisions, Dr. Jordan can lift and suspend deeper tissues, trim or reposition excess skin, and refine the neck and jawline. Depending on your anatomy and goals, the procedure can often be performed in the office using local anesthesia, oral sedation, and nitrous oxide, which may allow you to avoid general anesthesia.
What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?
A deep plane facelift is a more advanced technique that works beneath the SMAS layer to release and reposition deeper facial tissues that contribute to mid-face and jowl sagging. Instead of relying mostly on skin tightening or simple SMAS plication, the deep plane approach lifts the facial skin, muscle, and fat together as a single unit.
A deep plane facelift typically aims to:
- Elevate the mid-face and cheek area more effectively
- Improve heavy jowls and deep nasolabial folds
- Reduce the need for skin tension, helping preserve a soft, natural look
- Provide long-lasting support by strengthening deeper, aging structures
At Faces, deep plane-style lifting is considered alongside SMAS and limited-incision techniques to customize surgery to your needs, comfort level, and lifestyle.
How Does a Facelift Differ from a Deep Plane Facelift?
Both procedures rejuvenate the face and neck, but they vary in depth, power, and ideal candidates. Key differences include:
Depth of Lift
- Traditional or SMAS facelift: Works on the skin and the SMAS layer, tightening or suspending tissues without fully releasing all deeper ligaments
- Deep plane facelift: Operates beneath the SMAS, releasing and repositioning deeper ligaments and muscle-fat units in a continuous layer
Primary Goals
- Traditional or SMAS facelift: Smooths and lifts the lower face and neck, improves jowls, and refines the jawline with natural-looking results
- Deep plane facelift: More powerfully elevates the mid-face, cheeks, and nasolabial folds while also improving jowls and lower face
Ideal Candidates
- Traditional or SMAS facelift: Often best for patients with mild to moderate laxity, early jowling, and neck looseness who want a refined but not drastic change
- Deep plane facelift: Often considered for patients with more advanced mid-face descent, heavier jowls, and deeper folds who desire more comprehensive correction
Incisions and Extent
- Traditional or SMAS facelift: Uses incisions around the ears and hairline and can be shortened for mini or short-incision facelifts, such as the L.I.F.T
- Deep plane facelift: Utilizes similar incision patterns but may require slightly longer or more extensive dissection because of the deeper work
Anesthesia Considerations
- Traditional or SMAS facelift: Frequently performed in-office with local anesthesia, oral sedation, and nitrous oxide, and some patients may choose or demand general anesthesia for more extensive or combined procedures
- Deep plane facelift: More often performed with deeper sedation or general anesthesia due to the depth and length of surgery (specific plans vary by surgeon and patient)
Recovery and Downtime
- Traditional or SMAS facelift: Many patients feel social in about 10 to 12 days, with visible swelling continuing to improve over several weeks and full refinement over a few months
- Deep plane facelift: Recovery is similar in overall timeline, but may involve more early swelling and bruising due to deeper tissue work
Longevity of Results
- Traditional or SMAS facelift: Many patients feel they turn the clock back several years, and results can last many years with healthy habits and good skin care
- Deep plane facelift: Designed for strong mid-face and jowl support, and results can be long-lasting, especially when combined with ongoing skin care and sun protection
At Faces, Dr. Jordan customizes the depth and extent of the lift to your anatomy and goals, rather than relying on a single, one-size-fits-all technique.
What Is the L.I.F.T. at Faces, and How Does It Relate?
Faces offers a limited incision facelift technique called the L.I.F.T., designed to achieve a natural, refreshed look with shorter incisions and a streamlined recovery. It is especially attractive to patients in their 40s and 50s who are starting to notice laxity but may not need a full or deep plane facelift.
The L.I.F.T. is “limited” in several ways:
- Limited surgical scarring
- Limited anesthesia requirements
- Limited downtime and recovery
- Limited cost compared with extensive procedures
- Limited risk of an overdone or pulled look
While the L.I.F.T. is not a deep plane facelift, it uses careful incision placement and tissue support to gently lift and contour the lower face. For many patients, this can postpone the requirement for more extensive surgery and help maintain a youthful look over time.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Each Type of Facelift?
Candidacy depends on your pattern of aging, medical history, and expectations rather than just your chronological age. During consultation, Dr. Jordan evaluates your skin quality, volume loss, and tissue laxity to determine whether a limited-incision, traditional, or deeper approach is likely to meet your goals.
You may be a better candidate for a traditional or SMAS-based facelift if you:
- See early to moderate sagging along the jawline and mild neck laxity
- Want a natural improvement that keeps your overall look recognizable
- Prefer a shorter downtime and are interested in in-office sedation options
- Plan to combine facial surgery with eyelid or brow procedures for a more complete rejuvenation
You may be a better candidate to discuss a deep plane-style facelift if you:
- Have more advanced mid-face descent and heavier jowls
- Notice deep folds around the mouth that do not respond well to fillers alone
- Prefer a more thorough, structural lift in a single surgery
- Are in good general health and comfortable with deeper anesthesia and a more involved recovery
Whatever technique is chosen, the emphasis is on creating a refreshed, natural look that coordinates with the rest of your features.
What Is Facelift Recovery Like at Faces, PLLC?
Recovery is guided by detailed pre- and post-operative instructions, and many patients are pleasantly surprised by how quickly they feel ready to resume everyday activities. Light activity usually begins soon after surgery, while more public-facing or high-energy activities are gradually reintroduced over time.
Typical recovery milestones after a facelift at Faces include:
- Light walking the first few days after surgery
- Returning to desk work and many social activities in about 10 to 12 days, depending on bruising
- Most swelling improves over 2 to 4 weeks
- Persistent refinement and best results emerging over several months
Strenuous exercise and high-impact activities are usually delayed for several weeks to protect your outcome. Avoiding smoking and following all aftercare instructions helps support a smoother, safer healing process.
How Do I Choose Between a Facelift and a Deep Plane Facelift?
Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process that starts with a comprehensive consultation. At Faces, Dr. Jordan takes time to explain both surgical and non-surgical options, review your medical history, and discuss the level of change you hope to achieve.
When comparing techniques, think about:
- The areas that concern you most (jowls, neck, mid-face, or all three)
- How much downtime can you realistically allow in your schedule
- If you prefer a subtle or more dramatic improvement
- Your ease with various anesthesia options
- Your long-term plan to sustain results with skin care and non-surgical treatments
During your visit, you can review facelift before-and-after photos and explore estimated costs on the procedure pricing page. To take the next step, you can request a consultation with Dr. Jordan at Faces, PLLC in Ridgeland via the practice contact page or by calling the office directly.