The Deep Plane facelift is considered one of the most outstanding advancements in facial rejuvenation surgery today. This technique not only lifts the skin but also works deeply into the tissue and supporting muscular system, delivering natural and long-lasting results.
Understanding Facial Aging
Facial aging is not simply sagging or wrinkled skin. In reality, it is a complex process that simultaneously affects multiple structural layers:
- Skin layer: The loss of collagen and elastin makes the surface less firm, leading to wrinkles and laxity.
- Subcutaneous fat displacement: Some areas lose volume, creating a hollowed face, while other areas sag, resulting in eye bags, deep nasolabial folds, and drooping cheeks.
- SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system): As this connective layer weakens, the skin and fat above it descend, causing overall facial sagging.
- Ligaments and connective tissues: Acting as the “suspension frame” of the face, they loosen over time, diminishing structural support and leading to facial droop.
- Bones and facial muscles: The jawbone and eye sockets widen, while muscles lose firmness, contributing to an aged, hollow, and unbalanced look.
Because aging often occurs simultaneously across all five structural layers, simply addressing the skin or lightly tightening the SMAS cannot provide lasting effectiveness.
The Deep Plane facelift was developed to comprehensively resolve these issues by repositioning tissue blocks and anchoring them to firm structures. This ensures complete, natural, and long-lasting rejuvenation that conventional techniques cannot achieve.
What is a Deep Plane Facelift?
A Deep Plane facelift is a technique involving dissection and repositioning of the deeper support components beneath the SMAS. Instead of merely pulling or fixing the SMAS, surgeons go through it to release lax tissue bands, optimally lift sagging fat and ligaments, and restore structural support comprehensively.
When combined with endoscopic microsurgery, the procedure is magnified and highly precise, minimizing invasiveness, reducing bleeding, and lessening postoperative swelling. This is why many leading centers worldwide prefer this method—it allows for true “structural reconstruction” rather than just temporary “skin tightening.”
Key Benefits of a Deep Plane Facelift
Multi-layer rejuvenation, beyond the surface
Conventional facelifts mainly tighten the skin, so results are short-lived. Deep Plane works on underlying tissue and ligaments, restoring the support system for longer-lasting, more natural youthfulness.
Natural expressions, no stiffness
By distributing lifting forces internally rather than on the skin surface, the Deep Plane technique preserves natural flexibility when smiling, talking, or frowning—avoiding the “frozen look.”
Improves multiple areas simultaneously
A single Deep Plane procedure not only tightens facial skin but also lifts the cheeks, softens nasolabial folds, refines the jawline, and improves the neck. The result is a balanced, fully rejuvenated appearance.
Long-lasting results
Because this method works deeply on the facial muscle layer, it delivers results that can last over 10 years, though individual outcomes vary depending on personal factors and postoperative care.
Safety with correct technique
With the support of endoscopic microsurgery, surgeons can clearly visualize important structures, operate precisely, and minimize the risk of nerve or blood vessel injury.
Minimal unnecessary trauma
Although advanced, the Deep Plane facelift is performed in the correct anatomical layer and precise areas, reducing collateral tissue damage and enabling smoother recovery.
Who Should Consider a Deep Plane Facelift?
- Individuals over 60 with pronounced aging signs
- People with sagging skin, deep wrinkles, and marked nasolabial folds that create a tired, aged look
- Cases where the jawline and neck definition are lost, with hollow or drooping cheeks
- Those who have tried other facelift methods (threads, mini facelift) with only short-term or minimal results
- Anyone seeking a comprehensive, natural, and long-lasting rejuvenation solution without repeated procedures
Differences Between Deep Plane and Traditional Facelift Techniques
Traditional facelift: Mainly addresses outer skin, sometimes extending to SMAS. While skin is tightened, underlying lax tissues remain, limiting results to 3–5 years. Some faces may appear stiff or unnatural.
Deep Plane facelift: Works within the true support structures, releasing and repositioning tissues. This is not “pulling” but rather reconstructing the entire facial framework. Results are long-lasting, with a youthful yet supple appearance when smiling or speaking.
From a professional perspective, Dr. Phung Manh Cuong recognizes the Deep Plane facelift as the optimal choice for advanced aging cases, where sagging, deep wrinkles, and loss of facial contours are evident. This technique not only addresses aging comprehensively but also provides natural, sustainable, and long-lasting rejuvenation—something traditional methods struggle to achieve.
Standardized Deep Plane Facelift Procedure
- Comprehensive consultation: The doctor evaluates aging severity, analyzes images, and creates a tailored plan.
- General health check: Includes blood tests, blood pressure, and cardiac assessment to ensure surgical safety.
- Marking surgical areas: Precisely identifying sagging skin, folds, and ligament points requiring release.
- Anesthesia & sterile environment: Patients are under anesthesia for comfort, with strict sterile protocols followed.
- Deep Plane surgery: Using endoscopic microsurgery, the surgeon performs deep dissection, ligament release, tissue repositioning, and secure fixation with medical sutures.
- Aesthetic suturing & compression: Fine suturing minimizes scarring, with gentle compression applied to shape the face.
- Postoperative care & monitoring: Patients are observed in recovery rooms equipped with modern monitoring systems and supported by dedicated nursing staff.
Postoperative Care Instructions
Proper recovery care is essential for achieving desired results. Key guidelines include:
- Remain under observation for the first 48 hours
- Take prescribed medications, avoid discontinuation without approval
- Keep incision dry for 5–7 days, clean as instructed
- Avoid alcohol, smoking, and inflammatory foods
- Refrain from strenuous activities or bending for 2 weeks
- Wear compression bandages to stabilize tissues and shape the face
Swelling typically decreases significantly within 2–3 weeks, with final results becoming more evident after 2–3 months.
Why Choose Dr. Phung Manh Cuong for a Deep Plane Facelift?
1/ Directly performed by the doctor
Each Deep Plane facelift is performed directly by Dr. Phung Manh Cuong and his specialized team, who have extensive training in advanced cosmetic centers such as Korea and the USA. The team has successfully completed tens of thousands of Deep Plane facelifts for both local and international patients, with highly positive feedback.
2/ Personalized treatment plan
Before surgery, each face is analyzed from multiple angles (jawline, cheeks, neck, ligaments). Based on this, a unique “lifting vector map” is created for every individual, ensuring comprehensive rejuvenation while preserving personal facial identity.
3/ Advanced endoscopic microsurgery
Magnified endoscopic technology allows precise deep dissection, minimizes bleeding, and avoids nerve injury. Small incisions with refined suturing hide scars naturally. The surgery is conducted in a sterile one-way operating room, with anesthesiology specialists ensuring absolute safety.
4/ Fast recovery & attentive care
A multimodal pain management plan, combined with detailed aftercare, reduces swelling and shortens recovery time. Patients receive 24/7 nursing support in the initial stage and a private hotline for assistance anytime. Confidential recovery spaces with secure image and information handling are provided.
5/ Transparent and patient-focused policies
Costs are clearly explained upfront with no hidden fees. Doctors present multiple suitable options based on each patient’s needs and goals. Special support is available for international and long-distance patients, including interpreters, remote aftercare guidance, and bilingual documentation.
The Deep Plane facelift is an ideal solution for those who wish to maintain youthfulness safely, naturally, and durably. If you are seeking comprehensive rejuvenation, let Dr. Phung Manh Cuong personally examine and advise you on a tailored treatment plan.