to address the deeper, structural causes of aging. The deep plane facelift represents one of the most advanced and anatomically respectful methods for restoring youthful facial contours while preserving natural expression. By focusing on the mobilization of deep tissue layers—rather than relying on surface-level skin tension—this technique produces results that are both subtle and durable. Dr. David Webb is knowledgeable in this approach and routinely incorporates detailed operative planning, including midface imaging and precise mapping of mobilization zones. This ensures full release of key retaining ligaments while preserving expressive movement. The goal is always restoration, not distortion.
Understanding the Deep Plane
To understand the value of the deep plane technique, it’s essential to recognize the layered structure of the face. Beneath the skin lies the subcutaneous fat, and below that, the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, or SMAS. The SMAS is a fibrous and muscular layer that plays a critical role in facial movement, tone, and support. With age, this layer descends along with the overlying fat pads, particularly in the midface and jowl areas. Traditional facelift techniques often involve elevating and tightening the SMAS independently or manipulating the skin alone, which can lead to unnatural tension or distortion. The deep plane approach, however, treats the skin and SMAS as a single unit. By entering the anatomical space beneath the SMAS, the surgeon is able to release and reposition both the soft tissues and their muscular supports as a cohesive structure. This allows for a more vertical and natural vector of lift, particularly beneficial in restoring cheek projection and softening the nasolabial folds without over-tightening the mouth or pulling the lower face laterally.
Releasing the Ligaments
One of the defining technical aspects of the deep plane facelift is the release of facial retaining ligaments. These fibrous attachments tether soft tissue to the underlying skeleton and are largely responsible for the way the face falls with age. In the midface, the zygomatic and masseteric ligaments limit the ability to reposition descended tissue unless they are carefully released. These ligaments serve a purpose in youth—they help suspend the malar fat pad, for instance—but as volume is lost and gravity takes effect, they contribute to the formation of folds and deflation. Releasing these ligaments through the deep plane allows the cheek tissue to be elevated in a more effective and natural manner. It restores the convexity of the midface and allows for better integration of fat grafts when needed. Importantly, this release must be done with precision and respect for nearby facial nerve branches, particularly the zygomatic and buccal branches. A deep understanding of facial nerve anatomy is therefore critical, as is a gentle dissection technique that avoids excessive trauma to adjacent planes.
Dynamic Expression Preserved
One of the most common concerns among facelift patients is whether their face will move normally after surgery. No one wants a frozen or operated look. This concern is especially heightened in procedures that involve deeper tissue layers. However, the beauty of the deep plane technique lies in its ability to enhance facial architecture while leaving the overlying mimetic muscles undisturbed. Because the skin and SMAS are lifted together, and because the dissection stays in a plane beneath the muscular system, there is minimal disruption to the expressive layers. In fact, patients often report feeling more natural postoperatively than they expected. Their smile lines soften, their cheeks regain projection, and their jawline sharpens—but their ability to express emotion remains fully intact. The deep plane facelift respects the complexity of facial movement. It does not interfere with muscular activity, nor does it rely on stretching the skin to achieve contour. This is what differentiates it from earlier approaches and what allows it to produce such believable results.
Vertical Lift, Not Lateral Pull
Directionality is everything in facial rejuvenation. Earlier facelift techniques often relied on lateral traction—pulling the skin toward the ears in an effort to smooth wrinkles and jowls. While this may have succeeded in reducing skin redundancy, it frequently led to distortions around the mouth, temples, and sideburns. The deep plane facelift changes that paradigm. Because it allows for comprehensive ligament release and tissue mobilization, it supports a more vertical vector of elevation. This better mimics the natural upward movement of youthful tissue. The midface is lifted in a superomedial direction, restoring cheek volume and softening the lid-cheek junction. The lower face is elevated upward and slightly posteriorly, defining the jawline without distorting the oral commissures. This approach requires careful planning and an intimate familiarity with how facial tissues respond to repositioning. The angles must be measured not only against gravity but also in relation to each patient’s unique facial geometry.
Longevity of Results
Another key benefit of the deep plane technique is its durability. Because the lifted tissues are structural and supported by secure fixation points, the results tend to last longer than those of skin-only or limited SMAS facelifts. Patients often enjoy a refreshed appearance for ten years or more, with the added benefit of aging more gracefully afterward. This durability stems from the fact that the tension is distributed across deeper anatomical layers, rather than relying on the relatively elastic and fragile skin to hold the correction. In cases where volume loss is significant, fat grafting may be combined with the lift to improve soft tissue quality and fill deflated compartments. However, the core lifting effect comes from the foundational repositioning of the SMAS and associated fat pads.
Respecting Individual Anatomy
No two faces age in exactly the same way, and no single technique is right for every patient. While the deep plane facelift is a powerful tool, it must be customized for each individual. Some patients require more release and elevation in the midface, while others benefit from simultaneous platysma work in the neck or targeted fat grafting to restore volume. The incision design, plane of dissection, and vector of lift must all be tailored to the patient’s unique facial proportions, tissue quality, and aesthetic goals. The skill of the surgeon lies not just in executing the technique, but in knowing when and how to adapt it. Surgical artistry is as much about judgment as it is about precision.
A Foundation for the Future
As techniques continue to evolve and imaging technology advances, the deep plane facelift will likely remain a cornerstone of high-level facial rejuvenation. It represents the perfect fusion of anatomical respect, aesthetic intuition, and surgical discipline. When performed correctly, it restores not only the structure of a youthful face but also the movement, softness, and identity that patients want to preserve. It is a procedure that honors the complexity of the human face while delivering transformative results—and for the modern facial surgeon, it is one of the most rewarding operations to perform.