Deep Plane Facelift vs. Traditional: Which Approach Is Right for You?
How Dr. Siamak Agha at The Aesthetics Centers personalizes facelift techniques for natural, long-lasting rejuvenation.
Choosing the right facelift approach isn’t about buzzwords—it’s about matching technique to anatomy. At The Aesthetics Centers in Newport Beach, Dr. Siamak Agha evaluates facial structure, tissue quality, and aging patterns to decide whether a traditional SMAS lift, a deep-plane strategy, or a hybrid plan will best deliver natural, durable results.“Technique should follow anatomy—not the other way around.”
Traditional (SMAS) Facelift: The Proven Workhorse
A traditional facelift repositions the SMAS and redrapes skin separately. For many patients with lower-face laxity and early jowling, this method reliably sharpens the jawline and smooths the neck with shorter operative time and focused recovery. Best for:- Mild to moderate aging changes
- Patients wanting a conservative, lower-face emphasis
- Shorter procedures when appropriate
Deep Plane Facelift: Rejuvenation at the Foundation
When midface descent, deep folds, or volume deflation dominate, Dr. Agha may recommend a deep-plane approach—releasing key retaining ligaments and lifting the skin–SMAS–soft tissue as a unit. This reduces reliance on skin tension and recreates youthful cheek fullness and a smooth transition from lower eyelid to cheek. Advantages patients appreciate:- Softer, more authentic midface rejuvenation
- Improved nasolabial folds without filler “puffiness”
- Defined jawline with less need to stretch the skin
Hybrid Planning: The Agha Method in Practice
Real faces aren’t cookie-cutter, so Dr. Agha often blends elements—deep-plane vectors where needed, SMAS plication elsewhere, targeted neck work, and fat grafting to areas of deflation. This hybrid strategy customizes lift, volume, and skin quality to your facial map.Recovery, Durability, and Patient Experience
- Traditional: Initial recovery is ~7–10 days for most; results often last 7–10 years with good care.
- Deep-plane: Initial recovery is ~10–14 days given deeper releases; results can be longer-lasting thanks to foundational support.
Who’s a Candidate for Which?
- Deep-plane lift: Advanced midface sagging, deeper folds, or desire for maximal naturalness and longevity.
- Traditional lift: Early jowling and neck laxity, preference for conservative lift and shorter procedure.
- Hybrid: Common—when different zones of the face benefit from different tactics.
Why Patients Choose The Aesthetics Centers in Newport Beach
- Technique breadth: From refined SMAS work to deep-plane and hybrid plans
- Natural aesthetic: Balanced, non-overdone rejuvenation is the constant
- Discreet incisions & scar care: To keep focus on your refreshed features
- Continuity: Attentive communication before, during, and after your procedure
