You stop and catch your reflection in a shop window. No posing, no filters. And there it is: softened jawline, deep folds, cheeks that used to sit higher. It’s not insecurity. It’s a quiet gap between how you feel and what the world sees.
That gap is exactly where the deep plane facelift lives. Among facelift techniques, the deep plane approach restores structure rather than stretching skin. It’s why surgeons call it one of the best procedures for correcting heavy signs of aging—and why deep plane facelifts remain the gold standard in facial rejuvenation.
Facial aging doesn’t happen only to the top layer of the skin. Gravity and time loosen facial ligaments, the SMAS layer (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), and the fat pads that shape the midface. As those deeper structures descend, we see sagging skin, deep nasolabial folds, jowls, and banding in the neck. Topicals and short-term non-surgical treatments can refine texture and lines, but they don’t reset support where it failed.
A deep plane facelift works under the SMAS, releasing retaining ligaments and mobilizing the SMAS with the overlying soft tissue as a unit. This repositions what actually fell, so the surface isn’t asked to carry all the tension. The visible effect: a youthful look that moves like your real face—not a tight mask.
The most superficial option. Surgeons remove excess skin and tighten what’s left. Quick on the table, quick to fade. Because tension sits on delicate skin rather than deeper tissues, outcomes can look artificial and may fall short within a few years.
Better support than skin-only. The SMAS is plicated or imbricated (folded or trimmed) for improved strength. This helps, but the vector is often lateral (pulled toward the ears). It can smooth the lower face and neck, yet may not fully address midface sagging or heavy folds around the nose and mouth.
Below the SMAS, the surgeon releases key ligaments, lifts the cheek as a unit with its soft tissue and fat pads, and restores the midface from its foundation. Results look like a well-rested you. Because deeper structures are reset rather than stretched, longevity is typically significantly longer than older techniques or mini lifts. Studies have shown deep plane facelifts achieve higher patient satisfaction compared with less intensive techniques.
At the Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Institute, Dr. Ritu Chopra’s signature DEFINE Deep Plane Facelift treats the face and neck in one operation and, when needed, includes elevation of the brows. DEFINE stands for:
For patients needing full harmony, DEFINE Plus pairs the lift with fat transfer to the face and lips for balanced rejuvenation—replacing what was lost with precision so results hold up across lighting, angles, and expression.
Dr. Chopra also teaches this advanced technique to surgeons internationally. Teaching forces clarity around anatomy and repeatability—two reasons patients see consistent outcomes and fewer revisions.
Think of the face in stacked planes:
A deep plane facelift releases and repositions where aging starts—the ligamentous attachments and the mobile SMAS/fat unit. That’s how the midface comes back up (hello, cheekbone highlight), deep folds soften from their source, and the jawline cleans up without edge-to-edge skin tension. Keeping skin and SMAS connected preserves micro-blood supply and the skin’s relationship to deeper structures, a key reason the face still looks like itself afterward.
Dr. Chopra’s practice mirrors this: comprehensive correction up front, conservative fat transfer, and meticulous vector control. Patients often hear, “You look well rested,” not “different.”
There’s room for peels, lasers, and neuromodulators—great for tone and texture. Mini facelifts can help early laxity. But when midface descent, jowls, a soft jawline, loose neck skin, and bands are present, surface solutions are a mismatch. The deep plane approach delivers structural change in one pass, often paired with a neck lift so the jawline, submental angle, and cheek read from the same decade.
Expect initial swelling and bruising, with residual swelling in the early weeks. In Dr. Chopra’s practice, most patients take two weeks off social life and feel presentable by then, with refinement over one to three months as the deeper lift settles. You’ll leave surgery with a supportive dressing, need a driver, and keep a soft, low-salt routine for a few days. Pain is usually well controlled; tightness eases as swelling recedes. Stitches and staples are removed on schedule, and early scar care helps minimize visibility.
Any cosmetic surgery carries risks. Working in the deep plane demands intimate knowledge of facial anatomy, particularly facial nerve branches relative to the SMAS and retaining ligaments. Dr. Chopra’s surgical volume, anatomy-first approach, and role as an educator are meaningful proxies for safety and consistency. Careful planning—reviewing medical history and medications, setting realistic timelines, and aligning expectations—further reduces complications and improves outcomes.
Patient reviews echo the same themes: “natural,” “supported,” “I still look like me,” “I’m happy at two weeks,” and “my neck finally matches my face.”
Surgery resets the core; maintenance respects the investment. Daily sunscreen, smart skincare, and periodic energy-based treatments can support skin quality. Small, strategic tweaks (a touch of neuromodulator, subtle filler in the right plane) can enhance longevity without blurring structure. Lifestyle helps too: sleep, protein intake, movement, hydration.
When the goal is authentic lift with natural-looking movement, the deep plane technique stands apart. It works where aging starts, so cheeks return to their platform, the jawline reads clean, and the neck tells the same story as the face. Add Dr. Chopra’s DEFINE methodology and the clarity that comes with teaching others, and you have a combination built for harmony, longevity, and confidence.
The best compliment after a deep plane facelift isn’t “Who did your plastic surgery?” It’s “You look good.” That’s the point—age gracefully, on your terms.
No matter what brought you here, a visit with our doctors will bring out the best in you. Call us today to schedule your initial consultation, either in person or online.
465 North Roxbury Drive, Suite 1007, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
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