Deep Plane Facelifts in Memphis, TN
A deep plane facelift is one of the signature facial rejuvenation procedures at The Langsdon Clinic. For patients in Memphis, Germantown, and the surrounding Mid-South area who want a more refreshed, natural-looking appearance, Dr. Phillip R. Langsdon and Dr. Sarah E. Langsdon offer advanced facelift techniques designed to address sagging in the cheeks, jawline, and neck without creating an overly pulled look.
The Langsdon Clinic focuses on facial plastic surgery and is widely known for their work in facelift surgery, including the deep plane facelift. Patients receive a personalized evaluation to determine whether a deep plane facelift, another facelift technique, or a combination of procedures is the right fit for their anatomy and goals.
What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?
A deep plane facelift is a facial rejuvenation surgery that works beneath the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, or SMAS, to reposition deeper facial tissues as a unit rather than relying mainly on skin tightening. By lifting and supporting underlying muscles and tissues, this approach is designed to improve facial aging in a way that looks balanced and natural.
Compared with more traditional facelift techniques, the deep plane approach focuses on restoring facial contours by elevating deeper facial structures and smoothing deep nasolabial folds. This can be especially helpful when facial aging affects the midface, jowls, and neck, or when loose skin and descended tissues contribute to a tired or older appearance.
At The Langsdon Clinic, our facial plastic surgery experts customize facelift surgery to the patient’s face and neck rather than applying a one-size-fits-all method. They evaluate how much lift is needed, the direction of tissue repositioning, and whether supporting neck work should also be part of the surgical plan.
Why Do Patients Choose a Deep Plane Facelift?
Patients considering a deep plane facelift are often looking for improvement that goes beyond a skin-only correction. This procedure is commonly chosen by men and women who want facial rejuvenation that addresses deeper tissues and supports the face in a more comprehensive way.
Potential reasons patients may consider a deep plane facelift include:
- Sagging cheeks or loss of youthful facial contours.
- Jowling along the jawline.
- Loose skin in the lower face.
- Signs of facial aging that are difficult to camouflage.
- A desire for natural-looking facelift surgery rather than an over-tightened result.
- Interest in improving the face and neck together.
Because the deep plane facelift works on the underlying tissues, it may offer a different kind of correction than a traditional facelift or exended SMAS facelift alone. For some patients, our surgeons may also recommend related facial rejuvenation procedures such as a neck lift, mid-face lift, blepharoplasty, or eyebrow lift when they are appropriate to the patient’s concerns.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Deep Plane Facelift Surgery?
Good candidates for deep plane facelift surgery are typically patients with visible facial aging, tissue descent, or sagging that is no longer temporary and cannot be meaningfully improved with rest, skin care, or camouflage alone. Patients should also be in good general health and have realistic expectations about what aesthetic surgery can and cannot accomplish.
A consultation is the best way to determine candidacy because not every patient needs the same facelift technique. Our surgeons emphasizes matching the surgical procedure to the person’s anatomy, degree of aging, and treatment goals rather than assuming every patient needs an extensive deep plane facelift.
In general, ideal candidates may include patients who:
- Want to address facial aging in the lower face, jawline, cheeks, or neck.
- Prefer a surgical procedure tailored to their anatomy.
- Are seeking facial rejuvenation surgery from a practice focused on facial plastic surgery.
- Understand that aesthetic surgery can reverse signs of aging but cannot stop the aging process.
How Is The Langsdon Clinic’s Deep Plane Facelift Approach Different?
At The Langsdon Clinic, we emphasize several factors that influence whether facelift results look natural: the depth of tissue movement, the direction of lift, the extent of lifting, and the degree of improvement in the neck. Our approach is built around tailoring these variables to the patient instead of using a routine formula.
That patient-specific philosophy is an important part of how our approach to deep plane facelift surgery differs and why many patients choose us for advanced facial rejuvenation.
For patients who also need more significant neck improvement, The Langsdon Clinic may incorporate advanced SMMS technique when indicated to improve certain difficult neck contours, particularly in patients with heavier tissues.
Meet Dr. Langsdon
President of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018
Phillip R. Langsdon, M.D. is Clinical Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis. Dr. Langsdon’s career has been limited and focused entirely on Facial Plastic Surgery and he has dedicated himself to the pursuit of excellence in his field.
What Happens During a Deep Plane Facelift Consultation?
Your consultation at The Langsdon Clinic is designed to determine whether a deep plane facelift is the most appropriate treatment for your concerns. Our cosmetic surgeons evaluate the face and neck, discuss your goals, and recommend only the procedures they believes are genuinely beneficial for your situation.
That consultation may include discussion of:
- Your areas of concern, such as sagging skin, jowls, or neck laxity.
- Whether deep plane facelift surgery or another facelift technique is more appropriate.
- Whether related procedures may help support a more balanced result.
- What to expect from aesthetic surgery, healing, and the aging process after treatment.
- Your general or local anesthesia risks and options.
Patients can request a consultation online or call 901-755-3465.
What Is Deep Plane Facelift Recovery Like?
You can typically expect some swelling and bruising after a deep plane facelift. We use various techniques to help minimize facelift recovery time, and many patients are able to return to social activities within about two weeks, although exceptions can occur.
Patients are asked to sleep with the head elevated for two weeks and use cold compresses to help reduce swelling. The practice also advises avoiding bending over, heavy lifting, excessive turning of the head or neck, and exercise during the initial healing period so tissues can heal in their new position.
Because facelift recovery can vary based on individual health factors and healing patterns, patients receive more specific guidance during their consultation and pre-operative education.
Request a Consultation
If you have any questions or wish to schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Langsdon, please contact our office.
How Long Do Deep Plane Facelift Results Last?
A deep plane facelift can reverse accumulated signs of aging, but it cannot stop the aging process. Patients generally continue to age at their own inherent rate, and no plastic or cosmetic surgeon can predict exactly how long results will last for every person.
Future “tuck-up” procedures may sometimes be recommended, depending on genetics, tissue elasticity, health, and the pace of continued aging. Even so, the goal of facelift surgery is to help patients look younger than they would have if surgery had never been performed, while maintaining a natural appearance. This is an important distinction for patient education and trust: deep plane facelift surgery is meant to restore, not freeze time.
Why Choose The Langsdon Clinic for a Deep Plane Facelift Procedure in Memphis?
The Langsdon Clinic is located in Germantown, Tennessee, and serves patients from Memphis and beyond. Dr. Phillip R. Langsdon board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and has devoted his career to facial plastic surgery.
The practice also highlights Dr. Langsdon’s leadership and educational roles, including his service as President of the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. The site further notes his publications, speaking engagements, and long-standing focus on facelift and neck lift techniques.
Dr. Sarah E. Langsdon is a plastic surgeon who earned her M.D. from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and completed a six-year integrated Plastic Surgery Residency at the University of Missouri, with specialized training in advanced aesthetic techniques. Known for her warm, attentive approach and meticulous eye for detail, Dr. Langsdon is passionate about helping patients feel confident and empowered through natural-looking, personalized results, combining artistic vision and surgical expertise with an unwavering commitment to safety and compassionate care.
For prospective facelift patients, those details matter because they reflect a practice centered on facial procedures rather than a broad general cosmetic menu. Patients can also explore the practice’s before-and-after photo gallery, learn more about Dr. Langsdon, or compare related options such as facelift, revision facelift, and SMMS facelift
Schedule a Deep Plane Facelift Consultation in Germantown, TN
If you are considering a deep plane facelift in the Memphis area, The Langsdon Clinic offers consultations at its Germantown office.
To get started, call 901-755-6465 or request an appointment for a personalized evaluation to learn whether deep plane facelift surgery is the right approach for your facial rejuvenation goals.
Deep Plane Facelift FAQs
A deep plane facelift is intended to address signs of facial aging involving deeper tissues of the face, especially in areas such as the cheeks, jawline, and neck. It is often considered when sagging and tissue descent are more advanced than what skin-only tightening can address.
A deep-plane facelift repositions deeper facial support layers rather than tightening remaining skin alone. This can improve the cheeks, jawline, jowls, and neck in a more structural way and may create results that look natural and age gracefully.
Candidates are typically patients with noticeable facial structure concerns, such as facial aging, sagging, or jowling who are in good general health and have realistic expectations. A consultation is necessary because not every patient needs the same facelift technique.
Some patients benefit from neck treatment at the same time as facelift surgery, while others may not need it. Dr. Langsdon evaluates the neck and facial structures together and recommends treatment based on what is actually needed, including tightening underlying muscles or procedures like facelift, neck surgery, eyelid surgery, or brow lift.
Yes, some patients combine a deep-plane facelift with SMMS neck refinement, laser treatments, eyelid surgery, forehead reduction, or other facial procedures when it is safe and appropriate. Dr. Langsdon will recommend a plan based on your anatomy and goals.
The goal is to look refreshed, not pulled or artificial. By lifting deeper tissues along natural facial vectors, Dr. Langsdon aims to restore youthful contours while preserving your individual facial character.
Results vary from person to person because aging continues after surgery. Factors such as genetics, tissue elasticity, health, and lifestyle can all affect how long improvement lasts. However, standard facelift results typically lasts 7 to 15 years, with patients generally looking younger than they would have without surgery even after this period.
A deep plane facelift primarily improves sagging tissue, jowls, and neck laxity. Fine lines, sun damage, discoloration, and texture changes may require complementary treatments such as an eyelid lift, resurfacing, peels, injectables, or medical-grade skincare.
No surgical procedure can stop future aging or guarantee permanent correction. The goal is to reverse existing signs of aging and help patients maintain a more youthful appearance over time.
Swelling and bruising typically peak within the first 2 to 3 days after surgery, then gradually improve. Most bruising and noticeable swelling fade within 10 to 14 days. Surgical facelifts generally require 2 to 4 weeks for this initial swelling and bruising to subside, and most patients feel comfortable returning to work after about 2 to 3 weeks. Recovery time varies by procedure: mini facelifts have less downtime, while full facelifts (including deep plane and traditional techniques) typically require around 14 days before initial healing settles. Keep in mind that subtler swelling can linger for up to 6 months, with final results fully maturing around the one-year mark.
Yes. It’s important to protect your face from sun exposure for several weeks after surgery. This helps prevent sunburn on healing skin and supports scars in fading inconspicuously.
Complications are statistically rare overall, especially by choosing a board-certified and highly experienced plastic and cosmetic surgeons. The most notable risks include hematomas (collections of blood under the skin), which require prompt management to help prevent issues like infection or skin necrosis. Infections and skin ischemia/sloughing (tissue loss due to poor blood flow) are even less common – skin ischemia tends to be more common in the preauricular area (in front of the ear). Facial nerve injury, which can affect sensation or movement, is also rare, and permanent nerve injury is extremely uncommon. Visible scarring can occur as well; while cosmetic surgeons aim to conceal it, some patients develop thickened, raised, or widened scars.
Yes. Patients taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) or those with poorly controlled hypertension face an increased risk of hematoma formation. On the technique side, the deep plane facelift is associated with a lower risk of complications compared to more superficial techniques, largely due to better blood flow to the tissue flap and tension-free skin closure. However, these risks are greatly minimized by selecting a highly experienced and qualified plastic surgeon like those at Langdon Plastic Surgery.
Facelift techniques vary based on incision size, the depth of tissue treated, and recovery time. Common surgical types include mini, SMAS (traditional), and deep plane face lifts. Mini facelifts (short scar facelift) use small, limited incisions around the ear, offering subtle rejuvenation with a quick recovery, often around just 7 days. Deep plane face lifts are sophisticated surgical techniques that treat a deeper layer of facial tissue for a more comprehensive lift; a refined version called the preservation deep plane facelift maintains key blood vessels and connective tissue, which minimizes trauma, supports faster healing, and delivers a natural-looking result.
Yes, two popular cosmetic procedure options are thread lifts and liquid facelifts. Thread lifts use small, dissolvable threads inserted under the skin to pull it tight and stimulate collagen production, with results typically lasting 1 to 3 years. Liquid facelifts use dermal fillers and neuromodulators (like Botox) to temporarily restore volume and smooth lines without surgery; these effects are temporary, and treatments need to be repeated every 6 to 12 months to maintain results.
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Visit our Before and After Photo gallery to see real patient results at The Langsdon Clinic.