Deep Plane Facelift Turkey

Deep Plane Face & Neck Lift in Turkey

Quick answer: A deep plane face and neck lift is an advanced rhytidectomy that lifts the deeper muscle-and-fascia layer of the face (the SMAS) and the neck muscle (the platysma) as one unit, rather than tightening the skin alone. It is the gold-standard procedure for restoring the lower third of the face — the jowls, lower face and neck — and produces a natural, long-lasting result because the deeper structures, not the skin, carry the lift.

Performed in Istanbul by Dr. Ufuk Askeroğlu — a facial plastic surgeon with more than 12 years of experience and over 1,500 facelift procedures — the deep plane technique repositions sagging tissue along its natural vectors so you look refreshed and rested, never “operated on” or wind-swept.

 

What is a Deep Plane Face and Neck Lift?

As we age, the skin loses elasticity, facial fat descends, and the supporting ligaments that anchor soft tissue to the facial bones stretch and weaken. The result is jowling along the jawline, deepening folds, and loose skin and muscle banding in the neck.

A deep plane facelift addresses the cause of this descent rather than its surface symptoms. Beneath the skin lies the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) — a continuous fibromuscular layer that connects the muscles of facial expression in the cheek to the platysma muscle in the neck. With age, this whole layer slides downward.

Instead of pulling the skin tight, the deep plane technique works underneath the SMAS, releasing the retaining ligaments that tether it in place, then lifting the SMAS, cheek fat and platysma together as a single composite flap. Because the skin is re-draped over a properly repositioned foundation — without tension — the result looks natural and lasts far longer than a traditional skin-only or basic SMAS lift.

Which Areas Does the Deep Plane Lift Treat?

The deep plane face and neck lift is specifically designed to rejuvenate the lower third of the face and the neck, including:

• The jowls — the soft tissue that sags below the jawline and blurs the definition between the face and the neck.
• The lower face — the marionette lines, the corners of the mouth, and the loss of a clean jawline contour.
• The neck — loose skin, vertical platysmal bands (“turkey neck”), and the loss of a sharp, defined cervicomental (neck-to-chin) angle.

By treating the lower face and neck as one connected unit, the procedure restores a continuous, sweeping jawline rather than improving one area while leaving an obvious mismatch in another.

The upper and middle face (forehead, brows, cheeks and under-eye area) are not fully addressed by a deep plane lower-face-and-neck lift. When mid-face rejuvenation is also needed, it is added with a complementary procedure.

How is a Deep Plane Facelift Performed?

The procedure is carried out under general anaesthesia (or, in selected cases, deep sedation with local anaesthesia) and typically takes several hours, depending on whether the neck and additional areas are treated in the same session.

1. Incision. A fine incision is placed in the natural crease in front of the ear, continuing discreetly around the earlobe and into the hairline behind the ear. Placed in the shadow lines and hairline, the scar matures to become very difficult to detect.
2. Ligament Release. Working in the plane beneath the SMAS, the surgeon carefully releases the key retaining ligaments (such as the zygomatic and masseteric ligaments). This release is what allows the deeper tissues to be repositioned freely and distinguishes a true deep plane lift from a standard SMAS lift.
3. Composite Repositioning. The SMAS, descended cheek fat and platysma are elevated together and resuspended along a near-vertical vector, recreating youthful contour along the cheek and jawline.
4. Neck Refinement. Where indicated, the neck is addressed during the same operation.
5. Skin Re-draping. Excess skin is trimmed conservatively and re-draped without tension, then closed meticulously.

Because the dissection takes place in the same plane where branches of the facial nerve travel, deep plane surgery demands detailed anatomical knowledge and experience.

Procedures Often Combined with a Deep Plane Lift

Trinity Lift® – Endoscopic Mid-Face Lift

The deep plane lower-face lift does not fully rejuvenate the mid-face on its own. For patients with mid-face descent, flattened cheeks or hollow under-eyes, an endoscopic mid-face lift — the Trinity Lift®, developed by Dr. Ufuk Askeroğlu — may be added.

Through small incisions hidden within the hairline, the mid-face tissues are lifted and resuspended vertically, restoring cheek volume and harmonising the upper two-thirds of the face with the rejuvenated lower face and neck.

Platysmaplasty with a Submental Incision

When the neck shows prominent vertical bands, fullness under the chin, or a blunted neck angle, a platysmaplasty is often required. Through a small incision hidden beneath the chin, the surgeon tightens and sutures the platysma muscle while removing or sculpting excess fat.

Combined with the deep plane lift’s lateral suspension, this creates a sharper jawline and more defined neck contour.

Am I a Good Candidate?

A deep plane face and neck lift may suit you if you:

• Have moderate to advanced signs of ageing such as jowls, loose neck skin or platysmal bands.
• Are in good general health and are a non-smoker or willing to stop smoking before surgery.
• Have realistic expectations and seek a refreshed, natural-looking appearance.

Recovery Timeline

• First 1–2 Weeks: Swelling and bruising are expected. Most dressings and sutures are removed during this period.
• Weeks 3–6: Bruising resolves and swelling decreases significantly. Most patients return to social and professional activities.
• Months 2–6: Residual swelling fades and incision lines continue to soften.
• Up to 12 Months: Scars mature and final results become fully visible.

How Long Do the Results Last?

Because a deep plane lift repositions the deep structural layer rather than stretching skin, results are durable and natural-looking, commonly lasting around 10–15 years.

You will continue to age naturally after surgery, but you will always look younger than you would have without it. A healthy lifestyle, sun protection, proper skincare and avoiding smoking help preserve the result.

Risks and Safety

Like any surgery, a deep plane facelift carries risks. These may include bruising, swelling, hematoma, temporary numbness, infection, scarring, asymmetry, and in rare cases injury to facial nerve branches.

Choosing an experienced surgeon and carefully following all pre- and post-operative instructions are the most important ways to minimise risk.