Deep plane facelift in Turkey

In a deep plane facelift, the surgeon works beneath the SMAS layer and releases the ligaments that hold the cheek and jaw tissues down. Skin, fat and muscle layer are then lifted together as one unit. Because nothing is pulled at skin level, the result is natural and the skin heals with little tension.

The technique is particularly effective for the mid-face and the nasolabial fold, which a skin-only or limited SMAS lift barely changes. It requires precise anatomical knowledge, which is why it should be performed by an experienced plastic surgeon.

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• Strongest effect on the mid-face
• No tension on the skin
• Natural, long-lasting result
• Often combined with a neck lift

At a glance

Anaesthesia	General anaesthesia
Procedure time	4–6 hours
Hospital stay	1 night
Stay in Türkiye	10 days
Back to work	14–21 days
Back to sport	6 weeks
Final result	6–12 months
Scars	In the hairline and around the ear

Who is it for?

It suits people with moderate to marked sagging of the cheeks, jowls and neck, typically from their fifties onwards, and those who want the longest-lasting result. If your laxity is mild, a mini facelift may be enough.

Deep plane versus SMAS facelift

An SMAS facelift tightens or folds the supporting layer; a deep plane facelift goes beneath it and releases the retaining ligaments. The deep plane technique lifts the mid-face more effectively but is a longer operation. Your surgeon chooses between them after examining you.

Neck and deep plane

A deep plane facelift is usually combined with a neck lift, tightening the platysma muscle under the chin through a small incision. Together they redefine the jaw-to-neck angle.

Why the retaining ligaments matter

The face is held to the underlying bone by small, strong ligaments. With age, the tissues around them sag while the ligaments stay put, creating grooves such as the jowl and the fold beside the nose. A deep plane facelift releases these ligaments, which is what allows the cheek to move freely back into a higher position.

This is also why the deep plane lift tends to help the nasolabial fold more than techniques that work only above the SMAS. The surgeon at New City Clinic explains which ligaments matter most in your face.

Combining with fat transfer and eyelids

Lifting repositions tissue, but it does not replace volume that has been lost. Many deep plane patients benefit from a small amount of fat transfer to the temples, cheeks or under-eye hollows, giving softness that a lift alone cannot provide.

Upper or lower eyelid surgery is another frequent addition, so that the eyes match the refreshed mid-face. Combining procedures lengthens the operation, and the surgeon decides what is safe to do in one session.

If you have had a facelift before

A deep plane lift is sometimes chosen for a secondary facelift, when an earlier skin or SMAS lift has relaxed. Previous scars, earlobe position and the condition of the tissues all influence the plan, so send photos that show the old incision lines clearly.

New City Clinic will tell you honestly what a revision can achieve. More background on facelift techniques is available on the official website, newcityclinic.com.

Recovery

One night in hospital. Swelling can last a little longer than after a standard facelift; most people feel socially comfortable after two to three weeks. Stitches come out on days 7–10. Final softness and definition take six months or more.

What you should know

• Swelling, bruising and numbness that settle over weeks
• Haematoma, infection or poor healing
• Rarely, temporary facial nerve weakness
• Asymmetry needing a small correction

Every surgical procedure carries risk. Your surgeon will explain the risks that apply to you during the examination.