Choosing between a deep plane facelift and a traditional facelift can feel confusing when both procedures are designed to improve facial sagging. The main difference comes down to which layers of the face are lifted and how the tissues are repositioned.
At Bella Cosmetic Surgery in National Harbor, Maryland, Dr. Anya Costeloe focuses on cosmetic and reconstructive procedures of the face, head, and neck. She completed five years of surgical training in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, followed by fellowship training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery with leaders in facial rejuvenation and deep plane facelift techniques.
You can meet with Dr. Costeloe to compare your facelift options and understand which approach best fits your facial structure, concerns, and goals.
What Is a Traditional Facelift?
A traditional facelift often focuses on tightening the skin and lifting or adjusting the SMAS layer, which is the support layer beneath the skin. This approach can improve sagging in the lower face, jowls, and jawline for the right patient.
However, facial aging does not happen in the skin alone. Over time, the deeper facial ligaments and fat pads can shift downward, contributing to midface descent, deeper nasolabial folds, jowls, and neck laxity. When a facelift relies too heavily on skin tightening, results may look tighter than intended.
What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?
A deep plane facelift works beneath the SMAS layer, where the deeper facial ligaments and fat pads sit. Instead of pulling the skin alone, this technique releases and repositions deeper tissues as a unit.
Dr. Costeloe uses this approach to help lift the midface, improve cheek support, soften nasolabial folds, redefine the jawline, improve jowls, and support the neck area. Because the deeper structures are lifted together, the skin can settle over the face with less tension.
Which Facelift Technique Is Right for You?
A deep plane facelift may be a strong option for patients with visible jowling, deeper folds, cheek descent, or neck changes. Bella Cosmetic Surgery also offers advanced options such as the Preservation Deep Plane Face & Neck Lift for select patients, which uses a more conservative skin-lifting approach while still working with deeper facial structures.
That said, there is no one best facelift for everyone. Your anatomy, skin quality, age, goals, and recovery preferences all matter. Dr. Costeloe can examine your facial structure and explain which technique fits your needs.
Schedule a Facelift Consultation
A facelift should help you look refreshed while keeping your features recognizable.
To learn whether a deep plane facelift or another facelift technique is right for you, call Bella Cosmetic Surgery at 301-567-6767 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Anya Costeloe in National Harbor, MD.
