Time, sun, and life’s daily stresses can quietly etch themselves across the face, leaving sagging jowls, hollow cheeks, and deep folds that don’t reflect the vibrant way you feel inside. At Richmond Plastic Surgeons, our board‑certified team offers two gold‑standard solutions—the traditional facelift and the deep plane facelift—each designed to rewind the clock while honoring your natural beauty. Below, we explain how these procedures differ, what they treat, and how to decide which path best serves your journey to renewed confidence.
The Traditional Facelift : Refining the Surface & Supporting the SMAS
A classic facelift (rhytidectomy) focuses on tightening the Superficial Musculo‑Aponeurotic System (SMAS)—the fibrous layer that sits just beneath the skin—and removing excess, lax tissue. By carefully lifting and redraping the skin and SMAS, our surgeons soften deep creases, define the jawline, and smooth the neck:
Benefits
- Diminishes marionette lines, nasolabial folds, and jowls
- Provides a firmer, smoother neckline
- Creates a rested, age‑appropriate result without over‑pulling
Longevity
Results typically last 7–10 years, depending on genetics and lifestyle.
Ideal Candidates
Men and women in their 40s–60s with moderate laxity who desire meaningful yet conservative rejuvenation.
The Deep Plane Facelift : Elevating the Foundation for Lasting, Natural Results
When facial aging extends beyond the skin and SMAS, a traditional lift may not deliver the depth of change you crave. Enter the deep plane facelift—a next‑level technique that releases four anchoring ligaments (zygomatic, masseteric, mandibular, and cervical) and re‑positions the deeper fat pads, connective tissue, and muscles as a single, harmonious unit.
Benefits
- Comprehensively lifts the midface, restoring cheek volume and smoothing nasolabial folds
- Sharpens the jawline and erases heavy jowls with less skin tension, reducing the risk of a “pulled” look
Longevity
Improvements often endure 10–15 years, the longest‑lasting surgical option available.
Recovery
Like a traditional facelift but with less superficial trauma, most clients return to daily routines in about 2–3 weeks.
Ideal Candidates
Healthy non‑smokers in their late 30s–60s who show advanced laxity or have already explored non‑surgical treatments and desire a dramatic yet ultra‑natural transformation.
Side‑by‑Side Comparison
| Traditional Facelift | Deep Plane Facelift | |
| Targets | Skin + SMAS | Skin, SMAS and deeper muscles, ligaments, fat pads |
| Technique | Tighten & redrape | Release ligaments, elevate facial foundation |
| Result Style | Significant refresh | Most natural, three‑dimensional lift |
| Longevity | ~7–10 years | ~10–15 years |
| Recovery | 2 weeks to social events | 2–3 weeks to social events |
| Best For | Mild‑to‑moderate sagging | Moderate‑to‑severe laxity, midface deflation |
Which Approach Is Right for You?
During your private consultation, our surgeons will examine your bone structure, skin quality, and facial support systems, explain each option in detail, and craft a tailored plan that honors your goals while safeguarding your safety.
To determine which approach is right for you, we’ll discuss:
- Anatomy & Aging Pattern: Do your concerns stem mainly from loose skin, or have deeper tissues descended?
- Desired Longevity: Are you looking for a decade‑plus of rejuvenation, or is a shorter refresh sufficient?
- Downtime Tolerance: Can you comfortably set aside an extra week of healing for a deeper correction?
- Previous Treatments: Have fillers, lasers, or threads plateaued in their effectiveness?
- Personal Aesthetic Goals: Do you want a subtle pick‑me‑up or a comprehensive, camera‑ready metamorphosis?
The Richmond Manner: Why Experience Matters
Whether you choose a facelift or deep plane facelift, surgical artistry and patient‑centric care make all the difference. At Richmond Plastic Surgeons, you’ll enjoy:
- Board‑certified expertise: Five renowned surgeons with decades of combined facelift mastery
- State‑of‑the‑art technology: Advanced instrumentation that shortens operating time and promotes faster healing
- Concierge‑level support: From bilingual staff to discreet recovery protocols, every detail centers on your comfort
- Natural, never‑overdone outcomes: Our philosophy is to reveal the best version of you, not change who you are
Ready to Reclaim a Youthful, Confident You?
Lines fade, contours lift, and confidence soars when you trust experienced, compassionate hands. If you’re curious about how a facelift—or the deeper‑plane alternative—can elevate your everyday life, schedule your one‑on‑one consultation today. Together, we’ll map a rejuvenation journey that lets you step back into the world refreshed, renewed, and unmistakably you.