Deep Plane Facelift

With age, the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid gradually decreases. The skin becomes thinner, drier, and loses elasticity. At the same time, tissue regeneration slows down, and external factors such as UV radiation, smoking, or environmental pollutants further exacerbate this process.

The result is finer lines, wrinkles, and a decline in skin quality. Although these changes are visible, they usually represent only a part of the overall aging process.

The face does not simply lose volume over the years. In fact, the various fat compartments of the face change in different ways. While some fat deposits lose volume, others sag downward due to gravity and the declining stability of the support structures.

This leads to typical signs of aging such as sunken cheeks, deeper tear troughs, more pronounced nasolabial folds, and so-called marionette lines around the corners of the mouth. At the same time, the face loses projection and appears less fresh and rested.

A central role in facial aging is played by the so-called SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System). This is a connective tissue-muscular layer that connects large parts of the facial soft tissues and is primarily responsible for the contours of the face.

As we age, this system loses stability. The deeper tissue structures gradually sag, causing the cheeks to lose their position, the jawline to appear less defined, and so-called jowls to develop.

This is where the Deep Plane Facelift comes into play, as it treats not only the skin but also these deeper anatomical structures.

In addition to the SMAS, the so-called retaining ligaments play a crucial role. These connective tissue structures anchor the skin, fat tissue, and deeper facial layers to the underlying structures.

Over the years, these retaining ligaments lose stability and elasticity. As a result, tissue structures can sag more easily, leading to typical age-related changes in the midface, along the jawline, and in the neck area.

Mobilizing these retaining structures is one of the essential features of modern Deep Plane Facelift techniques and represents a significant difference from many classic facelift procedures.

The muscles of the face, particularly in the neck area, also change over time. In the neck, the platysma, a superficial neck muscle, can lose tension. This results in visible neck bands, excess skin, and a less defined separation between the chin and neck.

These changes significantly affect the perception of an aged face and often occur alongside changes in the midface and jawline.

Less well-known but scientifically well-documented are age-related changes in the facial skeleton. As we age, certain bony structures of the face change. Areas around the eye sockets, the cheekbones, and parts of the upper and lower jaw lose projection and support.

As a result, the overlying soft tissues lack important support structures. The face loses definition, and the effects of tissue sagging and volume loss are further intensified.

The visible signs of aging arise from the interplay of all these processes. Skin laxity, volume changes, the sagging of deeper tissue structures, changes in the retaining ligaments, and bony remodeling processes all influence each other.

For this reason, modern facelift techniques do not focus solely on the skin surface. The goal of a Deep Plane Facelift is to address the deeper anatomical causes of facial aging to restore natural contours and achieve a harmonious, long-lasting rejuvenation of the face.

Every face ages differently. Therefore, each treatment begins with a detailed analysis of facial anatomy, aging processes, and your personal wishes and expectations. The goal is to develop an individual treatment plan that respects your facial features and allows for natural results.

Before the procedure, the relevant facial regions are analyzed, and the planned repositioning of the tissue structures is individually determined. The focus is not on individual wrinkles, but on restoring harmonious facial contours and natural proportions.

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and lasts several hours, depending on the initial condition and extent of treatment. Through precisely placed and later as inconspicuous as possible incisions, the deeper anatomical structures are mobilized and returned to their original position.

Unlike a pure skin tightening procedure, the correction is not performed on the surface, but in the deeper tissue layers of the face.

After the procedure, there is close follow-up care. Swelling and bruising are normal in the first few days and gradually subside during the healing process. Through regular check-ups, we support our patients throughout the entire healing process and are available for any questions at any time.