Our faces are the picture of ourselves we present to the world and define how we are seen and perceived in many ways. As we age, our face inevitably begins to display the effects of time. Wrinkles develop over once-smooth skin, and skin that used to be tight now sags and droops.
These are the reason that the facelift (rhytidectomy) has become one of the most sought-after plastic surgery procedures today, counteracting these effects and resulting in a younger, brighter appearance for patients regardless of age.
In addition to the traditional facelift and mid-facelift, Dr. Phillip Langsdon also offers a deep plane facelift, a technique that he has mastered and contributed to through his own innovative surgical techniques that are now used by other leading facelift surgeons worldwide.
Continue reading to learn more about the deep plane facelift from Dr. Langsdon, an award-winning and highly respected facial plastic surgeon who is considered by many to be the best facelift surgeon in America.
About the Facelift
The earliest facelifts were focused on tightening the skin alone to achieve the desired smoothness. However, this approach came with the downside of resulting in an overly smooth and plastic look that made it readily apparent that the patient had undergone the procedure.
Fortunately, the standard facelift has replaced these skin-only facelifts, also known as the SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic system) facelift or “muscle lift.” The SMAS technique refers to the layer of tissue on which it operates: the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, a layer of muscle and connective tissue separating the skin of the face from the underlying nerves and other structures beneath the skin.
Despite its popularity and numerous positive attributes, the SMAS facelift still partially relies on skin tightening, leading to undesirable results if not performed by a highly skilled facelift surgeon like Dr. Langsdon. Let’s now consider another option, the deep plane facelift.
What’s Makes the Deep Plane Facelift Different?
We can’t ignore that some of the effects of aging occur deeper than the SMAS layer. The deep plane facelift is designed to take this into account by maintaining the skin and underlying tissues in alignment with each other while detaching and repositioning the entire system as a single unit. As a result, there is no strain on the skin or muscle, allowing the facial tissue to be repositioned for a more natural, subtle, and permanent effect.
A deep plane facelift allows younger patients to ward off the effects of aging earlier rather than waiting to correct serious flaws later in life.
The term “deep plane” may lead some patients to think that this procedure is more invasive than a traditional facelift, resulting in more trauma to the facial tissues and a longer recovery time. In reality, since a deep plane facelift keeps the skin and muscle attached to the underlying systems, there is less trauma than an SMAS facelift, separating and pulling layers of facial tissue out of their original alignment. The incisions made for a deep plane lift are similar to those of an SMAS facelift and extend along the hairline and around the ears.
Dr. Langsdon’s Contributions to the Deep Plane Facelift
Dr. Langsdon’s technique, the submental muscular medialization and suspension (SMMS), has essentially changed the way surgeons perform this procedure. For certain facelift patients, the method can improve neck contours and provide a simple yet elegantly effective solution to the challenges posed by the soft tissue changes associated with aging and unfavorable neck anatomy.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Deep Plane Facelift?
Facelifts are most often performed on patients in their 50’s and 60’s; however, it is not uncommon for men and women in their 40’s or 70’s to undergo these procedures. The best candidates have active lifestyles and minimal health problems and include men and women who:
- Are unhappy with their aging process or appearance.
- Have realistic goals for their surgical results.
- Are in good physical health.
- Are non-smokers.
Benefits of having a Consultation with Dr. Phillip Langsdon
- Receiving facial rejuvenation from a surgeon who has dedicated his career to facial plastic surgery.
- Obtaining a customized, personalized treatment plan based on your anatomy and surgical goals.
- Being cared for by the best rhinoplasty and facelift surgeon in America.
- Having the operation performed by the surgeon who has pioneered prominent deep plane facelift techniques.
There’s Never Been a Better Time to Have a Facelift
For more than 25 years, Dr. Langsdon has operated the only practice in the Mid-South whose focus is limited to and specialized in cosmetic surgery of the face, nose, eyes, head, and neck. Patients travel from throughout the Mid-South and all over the country to visit Dr. Langsdon due to his widespread notoriety as one of America’s best facelift and rhinoplasty surgeons.
For more information on your facial plastic surgery in or around the Memphis, TN area, please contact us by calling 888-816-FACE (3223) or 901-755-6465, or by sending us a message on our website. Dr. Langsdon and his team look forward to helping you discover the excellent results made possible by facial rejuvenation!