Both deep plane and traditional facelift techniques are designed to refresh the lower face and neck by repositioning sagging tissues and refining facial contours. At LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery, Dr. Gene K. Lee offers facelift surgery in Beverly Hills, focusing on natural, balanced rejuvenation that preserves your unique features.
A key difference between approaches is the extent to which the underlying structures are adjusted beneath the skin, which can influence the degree of lift, longevity, and overall facial harmony. In a traditional facelift, much of the improvement comes from tightening the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) and redraping the skin to soften jowls and define the jawline. A deep-plane facelift works at a deeper level by releasing and repositioning tissues beneath the SMAS, giving the surgeon greater control over midface and jawline support while lessening visible skin tension.
How Does a Traditional Facelift Work?
A traditional facelift focuses on lifting sagging tissue in the lower face and neck by tightening the SMAS and carefully tailoring excess skin. At LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery, facelift surgery usually involves incisions placed around the ears and sometimes into the hairline to access deeper structures while keeping scars as discreet as possible.
In general, a traditional SMAS-focused facelift:
- Lifts and supports the lower face, including jowls and the jawline
- Smooths folds around the mouth and improves lower face contour
- Can address neck laxity when combined with work in the neck area
- Relies on tightening the SMAS and redraping the skin in a natural, tension-conscious way
Traditional facelift techniques remain widely used because they can create meaningful improvements in facial definition for appropriately selected patients. Dr. Lee customizes incision design and vector of lift to match your facial structure and goals, with a strong emphasis on balance and subtlety.
How Does a Deep Plane Facelift Work?
A deep-plane facelift refines similar areas, including the midface, jawline, and upper neck, but works beneath the SMAS layer to reposition deeper tissues more comprehensively. On the facelift page for LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery, the deep plane approach is described as using an incision that starts in the sideburn and extends behind the ears, with release and elevation of the SMAS from its underlying attachments to enhance mobility and lifting power.
With a deep plane facelift, the surgeon can:
- Release key retaining ligaments that limit upward movement of facial tissues
- Reposition the SMAS and deeper structures in a vertical or multi-vector lift to restore cheek and jawline support
- Reduce tension on the skin by allowing most of the lifting to happen in the deeper layers
- Address midface volume descent and deep folds, in addition to redefining the jawline and upper neck
At LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery, a deep-plane facelift is used to achieve a powerful yet natural-looking lift by elevating and repositioning both the SMAS layer and the overlying skin in a controlled manner. Dr. Lee’s focus is on restoring structure and harmony rather than creating an overly tight or pulled look.
What Benefits Can Each Technique Offer?
Both approaches share the goal of refreshing the lower face and neck, but they may emphasize slightly different benefits depending on your anatomy and preferences. In Beverly Hills, patients often want improvements that are noticeable to them and their close circle yet subtle enough to feel natural in day-to-day life. Both techniques can be customized to that aesthetic.
Possible benefits often associated with a traditional facelift include:
- Reliable improvement in jowls and jawline definition
- More seamless transitions along the lower face and upper neck
- Time-tested techniques that can be customized to address different degrees of aging
Possible benefits often associated with a deep plane facelift include:
- Comprehensive repositioning of deeper tissues for more structural support of the cheeks, jawline, and midface
- Natural-looking contour changes because the skin follows the deeper lift instead of being pulled on its own
- Robust correction of prominent folds and sagging in patients with more advanced signs of facial aging
Dr. Lee selects and adapts techniques to fit your goals, rather than forcing every face into a single approach. During your consultation at LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, you will review options together and decide which method or mix of methods best supports the look you are seeking.
Who Might Consider a Traditional Facelift?
A traditional facelift can be well-suited to patients who want smoother, more defined lower face contours with a focus on jowls and jawline rather than significant midface changes. It can also be helpful for individuals with mild to moderate laxity who are pursuing a meaningful refresh that still feels conservative and tailored.
You might be an excellent candidate to discuss a traditional facelift with Dr. Lee if you:
- Notice softening or blurring along the jawline and early jowling
- See deepening folds between the nose and mouth that you would like softened
- Are bothered by loose skin in the lower face and upper neck
- Prefer a more specific approach rather than the most extensive lift available
Because Dr. Lee offers a full range of facial procedures, including facelift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, and other facial contouring options, he may also recommend combining a traditional facelift with complementary procedures to achieve a balanced overall result.
Who Might Consider a Deep Plane Facelift?
A deep-plane facelift is often considered by patients seeking a more extensive structural lift of the midface, jawline, and upper neck, particularly when signs of aging are more pronounced. Because the deeper layers are repositioned, this approach can be appealing to people who want substantial improvement yet still favor a soft, natural outcome.
You might be a good candidate to discuss a deep plane facelift if you:
- Have noticeable sagging in the cheeks, with volume appearing to “fall” toward the lower face
- See significant jowling or a heavier jawline and want clearer definition
- Want to address deeper facial folds and restore contour around the mouth and midface
- Are interested in a structural lift that provides long-lasting support with minimal visible skin tension
At LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery, deep plane techniques are used thoughtfully and paired with Dr. Lee’s focus on facial proportions so that the refreshed result fits naturally with the rest of your features.
How Does Dr. Gene K. Lee Help You Choose the Right Facelift?
Choosing between a deep plane and a traditional facelift is not something you need to decide on your own. In Beverly Hills, Dr. Gene K. Lee guides you through a detailed consultation at LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery to match the technique to your anatomy, your lifestyle, and the level of refresh you have in mind.
During your facelift consultation, Dr. Lee will typically:
- Review your facial structure from multiple angles to understand how your features work together
- Ask about your goals, including how subtle or transformative you would like your results to be
- Evaluate your skin quality, tissue thickness, and existing laxity
- Explain how techniques such as deep-plane or traditional SMAS-based facelift could address your specific concerns
- Discuss how adjunct procedures, such as eyelid surgery or brow lifting, might complement your facelift, if appropriate
The goal is to create a plan that feels tailored, realistic, and consistent with your personal aesthetic, whether that points toward a traditional facelift, a deep plane facelift, or a thoughtfully combined approach.
Meet Gene K. Lee MD, MPH
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
At LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery, Dr. Gene K. Lee combines advanced surgical training with a thoughtful, ethical approach to aesthetic care. Known for his natural-looking results and deep respect for each patient’s unique goals and cultural identity, Dr. Lee creates personalized treatment plans focused on safety, integrity, and long-term satisfaction. When you choose Dr. Lee, you’re choosing a surgeon who values your trust and is dedicated to helping you look and feel your best—authentically.
What Other Facial Procedures May Improve Facelift Results?
Facelift surgery can be powerful on its own, but many Beverly Hills patients choose to pair it with other facial procedures for a more complete rejuvenation. At LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery, Dr. Lee offers a full spectrum of facial plastic surgery procedures that can be customized to your needs.
Popular combinations include:
- Facelift with eyelid surgery to refresh both the lower face and the eyes, helping the upper and lower face look equally rested
- Facelift with brow lift to open the upper face and soften forehead lines when brow descent is causing a heavy look
- Facelift with chin or jawline contouring to improve facial proportions and enhance profile harmony
- Facelift with skin-focused treatments recommended by Dr. Lee to support texture and tone
By designing your treatment plan as a whole, Dr. Lee helps ensure that improvements integrate seamlessly so that no area of the face looks significantly younger or more refreshed than another.
How Can You Explore Facelift Options at LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery?
If you are considering a facelift in Beverly Hills and are curious about the differences between the deep-plane and classic approaches, meeting with Dr. Gene K. Lee is an excellent next step. At LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery, you will have the opportunity to review your options, ask questions, and view before-and-after photos from real patients who have undergone facelift procedures.
Your consultation is designed to remain collaborative, informative, and calming, with plenty of time to discuss what you hope to achieve. When you are ready to learn more about a deep plane facelift vs. a traditional facelift and which might be right for you, you can contact LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gene K. Lee.