Surgical Excellence You Can TrustWhat Is a Deep Plane Facelift?

The Deep Plane Facelift is named for the layer of the face where it is performed; beneath the SMAS, the muscle and connective tissue that support the face. Working in this plane allows Dr. Shapiro to reposition facial fat and this directly impacts descended cheeks, jowls, and jawline and extremely impactful to correction of the nasolabial folds and mid face sagging that skin tightening techniques cannot reach. This results in a softer, more natural and voluptuous result with less chance of recurrence. It is best suited to patients with moderate to advanced aging in the middle and lower face. Often it is the best option in younger patients who see aging that is not addressed with fillers without creating a distorted un-natural appearance. To find out whether it's right for you, schedule your consultation.

Deep Plane Facelift Overview

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Meet Dr. Shapiro One of America’s Best Facelift Surgeons

The deep plane facelift is built on a precise understanding of the face’s underlying anatomy, the same foundation Dr. Shapiro developed in reconstructive surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering and has refined across tens of thousands of procedures since.

  • Named to Newsweek’s Top 100 facelift surgeons, selected from 10,000 plastic and facial plastic surgeons nationwide
  • Trained at New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering, one of the leading Aesthetic Surgery and Reconstructive Institutions in the world
  • Assistant Professor of Surgery at Mayo Clinic, ranked the nation’s #1 hospital for multiple consecutive years
  • Past President of the Maricopa County Society of Plastic Surgeons
  • Tens of thousands of procedures performed

Board Certifications & Memberships

Deep Plane Facelift Before & After

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How Can the Deep Plane Facelift Help Me?

When you visit Dr. Shapiro for your consultation, he’ll call upon decades of surgical experience and a wide breadth of technical expertise, getting to know your cosmetic goals and helping you to understand the ways in which he can enable you to reach them. We offer a wide range of services here at Shapiro Plastic Surgery, so your in-person consultation gives us the ability to guide you to the treatment option that is right for you, your goals, and your lifestyle. You’ll make a great candidate for the deep plane facelift if you’re interested in addressing issues like:

  • Flattening of the mid face and cheekbones
  • Heavy nasolabial folds
  • Cheek hollowing and skin laxity
  • Jowls and loss of jawline definition
  • Loss of youthful facial contour
  • Neck laxity and muscle banding
  • Loose skin of the face and neck
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The Deep Plane Facelift Experience

Long-Lasting Results

The deep plane facelift lifts the face at the level of its underlying structure, not the skin. Dr. Shapiro releases the retaining ligaments and repositions the SMAS and deeper tissues as a single unit, restoring youthful contours without tension on the skin. Because the foundation of the face is rebuilt rather than pulled, the result holds for years after a skin-only lift would have relaxed.

Lifting Beneath the SMAS Layer

By adjusting what is known as the “SMAS” layer (or superficial musculoaponeurotic system), the deep plane technique involves direct manipulation of your face’s underlying tissue structure. This technique treats the SMAS layer and your skin at the same time, with a united approach that helps you enjoy a smoother, more youthful look.

Your Surgical Plan

Your deep plane facelift is performed under general anesthesia at the Paradise Valley Cosmetic Surgery Center, a state-certified ambulatory surgery center used exclusively for cosmetic surgery by plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Before surgery, Dr. Shapiro maps out your plan in detail. That includes where your incisions will sit along the hairline and the natural contours of the ear, which areas of the face will be lifted and repositioned, and whether a neck lift or fat transfer should be added for a complete result.

Your Rest and Recovery

You can expect to spend between two and three weeks recovering after your deep plane facelift, and we’ll ensure that you have everything you need to manage both swelling and pain, so your experience remains as pleasant as possible. We’ll also provide you with thorough aftercare instructions, in addition to remaining available to you at all times, so we can answer any questions you might have.

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Deep Plane vs. Traditional Facelift

The term “traditional facelift” is a loose one, and it often reflects techniques a surgeon learned years ago and never updated. These approaches focus mainly on tightening the skin, with little attention to the deeper tissues that give the face its youthful shape. That skin tension can leave a pulled or windswept look over time.

The deep plane facelift takes a different approach. Working beneath the SMAS, the surgeon releases the ligaments that tether sagging tissue, then lifts the skin and facial fat together as one unit, known as a composite flap. The result is a softer, more natural, and more youthful look through the midface, cheeks, jowls, and jawline, with no tension on the skin and results that last longer.

Because it is a more technically demanding procedure, the surgeon’s experience matters. Dr. Shapiro not only performs deep plane facelifts but teaches the procedure to other surgeons.

Deep Plane Facelift Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a good candidate for a deep plane facelift?

Ideal candidates have moderate to significant sagging in the midface, jowls, or jawline, are in good overall health, and don’t smoke. Most patients are in their 40s to 70s, though candidacy depends more on anatomy than on age.

How long do deep plane facelift results last?

Because the deep plane technique repositions the underlying structure of the face, results are among the longest-lasting in facial plastic surgery. Many patients enjoy their results for a decade or more. Your face will continue to age naturally, just from a more youthful starting point.

Where are the incisions, and will I have visible scars?

Incisions are typically placed in the hairline and along the natural contours in front of and behind the ear, where they heal discreetly and are easily concealed.

When can I return to work and social activities?

Most patients return to work and light social activities within two to three weeks. Swelling continues to subside over the following months as your final result settles in.

How much does a deep plane facelift cost in Scottsdale?

Cost depends on the extent of correction and whether you combine procedures. Dr. Shapiro will provide a personalized quote during your consultation.

Testimonials

Dr. Shapiro is meticulous and commands excellence in the fine art of plastic surgery!

I saw 5 of our nation’s most affluent extraordinary plastic surgeons from Washington DC to Beverly Hills and chowing Dr. Shapiro was the best choice! As a public Liason and medi...

I saw 5 of our nation’s most affluent extraordinary plastic surgeons from Washington DC to Beverly Hills and chowing Dr. Shapiro was the best choice! As a public Liason and media commentator trusting my face and appearance to a surgeon is critical. Dr. Shapiro is meticulous and commands excellence in the fine art of plastic surgery! Thank you Dr. Shapiro! 

Martha Boneta 5 out of 5 stars

Dr.Shaprio's office is beautiful and welcoming.

Dr.Shaprio's office is beautiful and welcoming. Anne is such a talented Nurse, and she has been able to so graciously answer any and all of my questions and concerns. I love tha...

Dr.Shaprio's office is beautiful and welcoming. Anne is such a talented Nurse, and she has been able to so graciously answer any and all of my questions and concerns. I love that she explains everything to me and makes my services short and sweet. I plan to go there for a Skin Consultation soon so that I can find what products would work well for my skin. Thank you to the incredible team at Shapiro Aesthetics! 

Jacque King 5 out of 5 stars

I will forever trust Dr.Shapiro and his team with anything I decided to do in the future!

I’m 22 & I recently had a rhino/ septoplasty done by Dr.Shapiro and also some facial graphing and a fat transfer to my lips. & I’m over the moon with my results! Dr.Shap...

I’m 22 & I recently had a rhino/ septoplasty done by Dr.Shapiro and also some facial graphing and a fat transfer to my lips. & I’m over the moon with my results! Dr.Shapiro and his team were so kind and professional through the entire experience. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic they made my dream nose come to life. & took every precaution to make sure we’re all safe by checking temperatures and wearing face masks. Being in the hands of someone with so much knowledge and experience made it so easy for me to go into surgery. I will forever trust Dr.Shapiro and his team with anything I decided to do in the future! Thank you so much! 

McKenna Commans 5 out of 5 stars

Can’t say enough kind words. 

Always do your own research and interview different surgeons but be assured that Dr Shapiro will give you what you ask for. I’m delighted with my results and I had a full face l...

Always do your own research and interview different surgeons but be assured that Dr Shapiro will give you what you ask for. I’m delighted with my results and I had a full face lift, eyes and neck done, and fat transfer to eyes and nasolabial folds. I wish I had done it years ago. Office staff is wonderful and attentive too. Can’t say enough kind words. 

Denise Young 5 out of 5 stars

Words cannot express how GRATEFUL I am to Dr. Shapiro!!!

Words cannot express how GRATEFUL I am to Dr. Shapiro!!! I had a rhinoplasty done by Dr. Shapiro 2 months ago and it has truly changed my life. My nose looks very natural and I ...

Words cannot express how GRATEFUL I am to Dr. Shapiro!!! I had a rhinoplasty done by Dr. Shapiro 2 months ago and it has truly changed my life. My nose looks very natural and I could not be more happy with my results. After years of research and various consultations with plastic surgeons (in and out of state) I knew I had found the one when I met Dr. Shapiro!

During my first consultation with Dr. Shapiro he pointed out all the things that bothered me about my nose before I even brought it to his attention. That’s when I knew he and I were on the same page about what I wanted. He is EXTREMELY detail-oriented and a perfectionist (which is exactly what you want when undergoing any procedure especially if it’s on your face). He truly listens to you and makes you feel so comfortable. The thing I love the most about Dr. Shapiro’s technique is that he works with what you have and enhances it to its maximum potential, he is truly an artist. Dr. Shapiro’s makes it seem as though you never had any work done. His work is astounding, he gives you the nose you were supposed to be born with but even better! The before and after pictures of his patients will leave you speechless. When it comes to plastic surgeons there is truly no doctor that can compete with Dr. Shapiro’s beyond amazing work!

If you’re looking for a rhinoplasty surgeon I would recommend him 100%. I’m so in love with my results and I’m extremely lucky to have found him. Dr. Shapiro I seriously cant thank you enough!!!! 

mariela casas 5 out of 5 stars

Dr. Shapiro and his staff are your top choice for plastic surgery in Arizona.

Dr. Shapiro and his staff are your top choice for plastic surgery in Arizona. He listens attentively to your specific desires and explains what can honestly happen to meet your ...

Dr. Shapiro and his staff are your top choice for plastic surgery in Arizona. He listens attentively to your specific desires and explains what can honestly happen to meet your personal goals. Everything about the experience at his office is what you would expect from a top surgeon and professional medical staff. Conveniently, the Skin Klinic inside his office offers the best aesthetic services to really complete the package of an even more beautiful you. You always feel welcomed in his office and can ask as many questions as you need regarding procedures, products, financing, and after surgery care. I have had several procedures performed by Dr. Shapiro and I must say if you want the body that you dream of that cannot be accomplished by diet and exercise then you need to make time for a consultation. I struggled for most of my life with a poor body image and after many years of trying to change things on my own I finally decided to make an appointment and was forever on a different path. I have amazing proportionate breasts now and my thighs are the thighs of my dreams. Life is truly different when you are content with your body image. That is not to say I was trying to look like someone else or had a false hope; it is about being happy in your own skin. Dr. Shapiro made that possible for me and I cannot thank him enough for his expertise, caring nature, and professionalism. His quality and follow on care are the best you can invest in for your ideal body image. Do something wonderful for yourself and allow him the opportunity to exceed all expectations as he did for me :) 

Rachel Hewitt 5 out of 5 stars

Dr Shapiro does incredible work and my procedure was no exception!

Dr Shapiro and his clinical/clerical staff were professional and courteous. Dr Shapiro does incredible work and my procedure was no exception! I couldn't be happier with my resu...

Dr Shapiro and his clinical/clerical staff were professional and courteous. Dr Shapiro does incredible work and my procedure was no exception! I couldn't be happier with my results or my experience with Shapiro Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. From the moment I walked in for my consult, to my last post surgical visit, everyone treated me like family! 

Kara Koechell 5 out of 5 stars

I never felt this beautiful with myself until now!

Dr. Shapiro and staff are excellent and most compassionate people! Going in for an updated look and to feel good about myself is what I achieved because of Dr. Shapiro. I never ...

Dr. Shapiro and staff are excellent and most compassionate people! Going in for an updated look and to feel good about myself is what I achieved because of Dr. Shapiro. I never felt this beautiful with myself until now! Thank you so much Dr. Shapiro for taking the timeout for me and listening to what I wanted to accomplish. You made this happen!! Also, you have a wonderful staff working for you and your patients.

Theresa Gillen 5 out of 5 stars

Dr Shapiro is your GO TO DR!!!

Dr Shapiro is your GO TO DR!!! He gave me the chin of my dreams. After almost a year since the procedure I can say that my scar is pretty much 100% gone, some days I can’t even ...

Dr Shapiro is your GO TO DR!!! He gave me the chin of my dreams. After almost a year since the procedure I can say that my scar is pretty much 100% gone, some days I can’t even see it. He is professional and charming, we love that!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I will be back ;) 

Mariel Sallustio 5 out of 5 stars

The recovery went smooth and his staff checked up on me multiple times.

My experience with Dr.Shapiro and his staff was great. I had a rhinoplasty done 6 months ago and I’m almost completely healed. The recovery went smooth and his staff checked up ...

My experience with Dr.Shapiro and his staff was great. I had a rhinoplasty done 6 months ago and I’m almost completely healed. The recovery went smooth and his staff checked up on me multiple times. I had such a great experience and would highly recommend getting a procedure done here. Your in good hands 😊 

Jasmine Renteria 5 out of 5 stars

Dr. Shapiro is the knocked it out the park!!!

Dr. Shapiro knocked it out of the park!!! I could not be more thrilled with the results of my breast augmentation with lift. Not only are the results amazing, but the process fr...

Dr. Shapiro knocked it out of the park!!! I could not be more thrilled with the results of my breast augmentation with lift. Not only are the results amazing, but the process from start to finish far exceeded my expectations. Dr. Shapiro and his surgical nurse Sage Hallman work as an amazing team and will make you feel like you're their only patient. Experience matters and that is exactly what you will get at Shapiro Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Thank you Doc , you have truly changed my life in the best way! 

melissa massey 5 out of 5 stars

Had such an amazing experience with Dr. Shapiro.

Had such an amazing experience with Dr. Shapiro. He was kind, a great listener and gave me the exact result I was wanting. Would recommend him and the entire team to anyone and ...

Had such an amazing experience with Dr. Shapiro. He was kind, a great listener and gave me the exact result I was wanting. Would recommend him and the entire team to anyone and everyone! Thank you Dr Shapiro! 

Lauren Curry 5 out of 5 stars

Everyone was very welcoming and kind. 

Jamie is the best injector I have ever had. She gave me a jawline and chin that I have always wanted. These before and after pictures are within 2 hours of eachothers highly rec...

Jamie is the best injector I have ever had. She gave me a jawline and chin that I have always wanted. These before and after pictures are within 2 hours of eachothers highly recommend! Everyone was very welcoming and kind. 

Lindsay Diephuis 5 out of 5 stars
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