The deep plane refers to a fibromuscular network of tissue that invests the muscles of facial expression, coined the superficial musculo-aponeurotic system or SMAS in 1976 by a pair of authors Mitz and Peyronie. In their original paper they noted the risk to the facial nerve as dissection proceeded anterior to the parotid gland, and it is due to this inherent risk relative to a traditional SMAS facelift that early adoption of the deep plane facelift was slow.
However, as surgeons have become better trained and more experienced in the dissection necessary to isolate and elevate the deep-plane (SMAS) layer in a safe and efficient manner, the promise of superior facelift results in terms of bruising, swelling, recovery, appearance and duration of lift have exploded the popularity of deep plane face lift techniques.
Most facelift surgeons will now advertise performing a deep plane facelift. But are deep plane facelifts created equal?
The design and execution of the facelift incisions, the vector and shape of the lift, and the extent and precision of the dissection, are but a few of the factors that dictate the permanence, appearance and outcome from a deep plane facelift.