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How Long Does a Deep Plane Facelift Last?

A deep place face lift really just lasts 5 - 10 years? I read this somewhere. After 5 - 10 years I look as old as before the lift? That hurts. And what do I then? Is there no way to die beautiful? (Not that I plan that at the moment, if you know what I mean.) Gabrielle

Asked 40 months ago by GabrielleCook in Kansas City
Sort 18 expert answers by:
+4

Longevity of results varies

The longevity of a facelift, deep plane or otherwise, depends on the type of surgery done, the talent of your surgeon, and the nature of the tissues you bring to the operation. Some patient factors decrease the longevity such as sun damage, acne scars, and wide weight swings. Nevertheless, a well done facelift should last your lifetime in the sense that if you have it done, the new you will always look better than if you hadn't had it done.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+3

You Can Not Stop Aging

The second your surgeon finished your operation the aging process starts. If your surgeon performed a procedure when you were twenty (would not advise that obviously) you would not stay twenty forever, because factors like cell aging, sun exposure, loss of elasticity, loss of facial volume, etc. can all cause aging in face. In a well performed facelift, if you had a twin, you would always look better than your twin if you had the procedure performed and he/she did not. A deep plane facelift... more
Anil R. Shah, MD
Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
+3

Deep plane techniques should last 8-12 years

A deep plane facelift is a version of SMAS facelift technique. It is a category of modern extensive facelifts, such as Composite, Deep plane, High SMAS, Extended SMAS, SMAS platysma, SMASectomy, etc. There are many nuances to these techniques, and surgeons who practice them will tailor components to the individual patient. These techniques should "last" 8-12 years, as opposed to the mini-lifts and suture lifts that are advertised as quick recovery operations, which can be expected... more
Michael A. Bogdan, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+2

Longevity of a Facelift

When explaining the duration of facelifts in regards to the aging process to my patients, I like to use the metaphor of a conveyor belt. The facelift does not stop the belt but rather picks you up and sets you back in the younger direction at some distance. That is, you would always look younger and more refreshed than if you hadn't had the procedure. The oft-quoted 7-10 year period of benefit after a facelift is a generalization and each individual ages differently, given factors... more
Umang Mehta, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Longevity of Deep Plane Facelift

When it comes to longevity of the deep plane Facelift, there is no one right answer. Even with the deep plane technique, longevity still is a function of how someone ages, tissue elasticity, toxic exposures (like sun and smoking), weight fluctuations, general health, hydration and diet. Five years would be disappointing, especially for a deep plane Facelift. Fortunately, such a short-lived result is unusual. We generally see that Facelifts hold up well for 7- to 12- years, or... more
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Lasting effects of the deep plane facelift

A well deep plane facelift lasts just as long as a well done SMAS facelift. The difference between and deep plane facelift and other facelifts is in the elevation of the cheek fat pad ( and thus the rejuvenation of the midface) as well and the natural results it achieves.
Andres Bustillo, MD
Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Deep plane facelift - longevity of results

Many different types of facelifts exist--including multiple variations of the deep-plane lift. Experienced surgeons generally agree that the deep-plane lift is the longest-lasting of the lifts. We typically quote 7-10 years as the longevity of the procedure, though no study has been done to truly show this. I would say that the personal who undergoes this procedure will likely always look younger than they would have if they had not undergone the procedure. The longevity of the lift will... more
Sam Most, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Deep Plane Facelift

Gabrielle, A properly done deep plane facelift is one that suspends the tissues that have sagged by their deeper tissues (rather than the skin which is the quick recovery procedure that you'll see on tv or in ads everyday). These operations require more recovery but they are also significantly longer lasting assuming they are done properly. They don't expire in their duration, in other words you simply can't state a longevity to go by like you could these other skin stretches. These... more
Ricardo A. Meade, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+2

Deep Plane Facelift for natural and long lasting results

The deep plane facelift is an advanced surgical technique that achieves a natural looking and long lasting result. This technique represents the state of the art in facelift surgery. Rather than just tightening the skin, this procedure lifts and tightens the underlying muscle while repositioning fat to achieve a three dimensional rejuvenating result. This procedure is best performed by an experienced facial plastic surgeon who performs facelift surgery as a routine part of his or her... more
Ross A. Clevens, MD
Melbourne Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Longevity of a Facelift

The key element in the longevity of a facelift is the genetics of the patient who is having the facelift and the type of procedure being done. The fast, minimal type of so called “franchise facelift” procedures being advertised all around the country have limited longevity as most truly are not even facelifts. Those that are well and are real multi-layered facelifts usually will last 7-10 years or even longer if the patient maintains an appropriate regimen of good skin care,... more
Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Longevity of deep plane facelift

The longevity of any face lifting procedure will be influenced by the patient's genetics, life style, and other adjunctive procedures (like Botox, fillers, lasers) performed in conjunction with (or after) the facelift.  In my experience with a large of numbers of deep plane facelifts, I would estimate about an average of 8 years for most (50 percent of) patients.  In most patients, deep plane last longer than SMAS or skin only facelifts, but not in all.  The surgeon... more
A. John Vartanian, MD
Glendale Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Longevity of Facelifts

Deep plane facelifts lift the face in a plane below the superficial muscles of the face.  By elevating these tissues back to the level they were in youth, the clock is literally turned back.  Then the aging process continues, but you never lose the lift effect.  You will always look younger than you would have.  So, in a sense, they last forever!
Minas Constantinides, MD
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Turning back the hands of time but the clock keeps ticking

Just as the saying goes, as plastic surgeons, we turning back the hands of time but the clock keeps ticking.  No you will not look the same after 10 years as if you never had surgery.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Deep plane facelift lasts 5- 10 years

Generally speaking, it is hard to define exactly how long a facelifting procedure lasts.  Clearly, facelifts that last the longest are those that suport the underlying tissues, especially the SMAS layer. A great review of the types of faceliftng procedures can be found in the books written on this subject. SMAS and deep plane facelifting generally last much longer than simple "skin onluy" lifts such as thread lifts, lifestyle lifts and similar skin only facelifting... more
Jon E. Mendelsohn, MD
Cincinnati Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Deep plane facelifts results last the longest of all facelifts

Deep plane facelifts results last the longest of all the facelifts. This type of facelift depends on pulling the muscles of the face rather than the skin. There are many scientific articles that show that the muscle layer is less likely to stretch as opposed to skin. There are also numerous clinical studies in patients that support this finding. I have done over 1200 facelifts and know the difference between the different types of facelifts and have found that the deep plane facelifts... more
Philip Young, MD
Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

A well performed facelift is usually a once in a lifetime event

The benefits of a facelift will last a lifetime. This does not mean that after a well performed facelift your appearance is cemented it time. It means that you should always look considerably better than if you did not have the surgery in the first place. I have been doing facelifts for 30 years and few patients return for another. Occasionally minor revisions are helpful, but to redo the who lift is unusual. In my opinion, it is the fact that the deep plane lift is based on the... more
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Deep plane facelift

The longevity of any facelift is dependent on many factors, but even if you are quoted a certain number, it doesn't mean that you will suddenly wake up and everything sagged overnight. You will always look your best those first few years after a lift, then gradually start to notice subtle aging changes recur. Having said that, a deep plane facelift is the most anatomically "fortified" of all lifts, but not everyone is a candidate for it. It depends on the changes that are present... more
Edmon Pierre Khoury, MD
Dubai Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Deep plane facelift

There are so many factors to how long a facelift will last. Your genetics are important. Skin elasticity, smoking history, sun exposure, the quality of the facelift, to name a few all impact the longevity of the facelift.
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
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