Deep Plane Facelift

During the consultation, we will perform an analysis of the facial anatomy and the changes to the structure that signify ageing. You may wish to combine this with a brow lift and neck lift to achieve optimal results.

We can perform a face lift as a day case procedure under general anaesthesia. However, we can administer a local anaesthetic for less extensive cases.

Generally, the operation aims to lift the skin and muscles as one. The surgeon will tighten the underlying SMAS muscle and membrane, hoisting and trimming excess skin. As each operation involves addressing the appearance of neckbands, our Deep Plane Facelift extends to the Platysma muscles in the neck for a total rejuvenated look.

Depending on the method adopted, the surgeon may staple the incision, and use non-dissolvable sutures to close the incision around the ears. The surgeon will remove the stitches and clips within two weeks after surgery, depending on how you are recovering.

Occasionally, we may place a temporary drain under the skin behind your ear following the surgery to remove excess fluid, though this is usually not necessary. Your head will be wrapped in bandages immediately after surgery to minimise bruising and swelling for 24 hours.

We may recommend minimally invasive submental liposuction around the neck and chin to improve the contour of the jawline. In other instances, you could combine the operation with a fat transfer to restore volume to the facial contours. Or, with a brow lift and blepharoplasty to address ageing around the eyes.

Many patients can benefit from a face lift, even those in their thirties or eighties. It’s important to remember that a facelift does not stop, reverse or slow down ageing, it only helps you to instantly target the visible signs, which encourages younger-looking skin. Performing a second and third facelift later on in life may still be a possibility.

It is most suitable for people looking to dramatically rejuvenate their complexion. Or those wanting to eradicate:

• Hollowness in the cheek/protibial areas
• Targets deep nasolabial folds
• Ideal for those looking to remove buccal fat or facial fullness
• Jowls
• Asymmetrical jawline or sagging skin over chin line
• Marionette lines – the vertical lines between the corners of the mouth and chin

For more information on the areas that can be targeted, view this page.

Improvements will be visible upon the removal of your cast. Over six months to a year, your nose will continue to change shape. During this time, swelling should reduce and you should start to see the final results towards the end of 1 year.

The outcome of the facelift depends on several variables. Gravity, ageing, and other external and lifestyle forces will play a pivotal role in how long your facelift lasts.

One of the benefits of the Deep Plane Facelift is that it will preserve the skin for approximately 10-15 years. Over the years, a patient who has had a facelift will still experience weakening of the muscles and skin laxity and may wish to repeat the operation.

Most patients return to work between 1-3 weeks after the operation. Swelling, bruising and numbness after a traditional facelift typically last for 6-8 weeks which will subside gradually. Significant swelling should subside within 10-14 days. We will require you to wear a facial support garment for 24 hours. Numbness may take 4-6 weeks to resolve. A full recovery can be around 6 months or longer.

We will provide you with aftercare instructions following your procedure. However, general recommendations and aftercare advice include trying to keep the head elevated and as still as possible for a couple of days after surgery.

The procedure duration will vary depending on the approach and severity of the operation. Due to the complexity of the procedure, it can be around 3 hours or more.

The incisions and scarring vary depending on the case. They’re usually inconspicuously made around the ear, concealed within their natural folds. They often begin just above the hairline at the temples, extending in a natural line from the front of the ear just inside the cartilage and continuing behind the earlobe to the lower scalp.

We usually recommend the use of Kelo-cote  for three months to help minimise scarring. We also advocate the use of our complimentary dramatic healing serum – the product contains healing ingredients proven to reduce the appearance of scarring. Our light therapy system Celluma can also reduce scars.

Radiofrequency laser treatments combined with conservative use of Anti-Wrinkle Injections and fillers can preserve the quality of the skin to ward off skin laxity and improve structure and support.

We advocate many non-surgical approaches such as the soft thread lift, Profhilo, the 8-point liquid facelift and laser treatments that all provide excellent results for addressing volume loss, and softening the appearance of mild jowls, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines. However, surgical intervention will always offer the best and most permanent outcome for extensive facial sagging. A traditional facelift can improve sagging neck skin and platysma vertical neck bands, where non-surgical methods aren’t successful with these concerns.

A consultation will help determine which course of action would be most suited to your needs. Here, we will take your age, skin damage and quality, volume loss, the elasticity of the skin, lifestyle factors, any pre-existing facial asymmetries and your mental health into consideration.

Age is not the factor to decide if your skin is suitable to have a Facelift surgery. The condition of your skin is the key indication for a Facelift. If you see a significant sagging, wrinkles, loose skin, or jowling, you are suitable for Deep Plane Facelift surgery.