Deep Plane Facelift Incisions
Where the incisions sit anatomically, why they heal nearly invisibly, and how the deep plane technique places them. For post-op care, suture removal, and scar maturation rules after surgery, see Facelift Incision Care: Healing & Suture Removal Guide.
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What do deep plane facelift incisions look like?
Four incision segments: a 3-4cm line inside the temporal hairline (fully hidden by hair); 5-7cm following the pre-auricular crease or retrotragal (inside the tragus) depending on skin type; 4-5cm behind the earlobe curving into the occipital hairline; a separate 2-3cm submental incision under the chin if neck work is included. Healing timeline: pink lines at week 2, faded to pale by month 3, near-invisible by month 6-12. Because deep plane dissection is beneath the SMAS, the overlying skin carries no tension — which produces thinner, paler scars than SMAS or skin-only facelifts that stretch the skin directly.
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What incisions are made in a deep plane facelift?
A deep plane facelift uses the same incision pattern as a standard facelift — the innovation is the dissection depth, not the incision location. Incisions: (1) Temporal hairline (temple region). (2) Pre-auricular (front of ear, retrotragal approach preferred). (3) Post-auricular (behind ear). (4) Hairline or pre-hairline (posterior scalp). (5) Submental chin crease (for neck component). Total incision length: approximately 15–25 cm bilateral. What distinguishes deep plane incisions from SMAS: deeper access is achieved through the same surface incision — surgeons simply extend the dissection plane beneath the SMAS rather than superficially.
Deep Plane Facelift Incision Techniques: Deep plane facelift incisions typically follow the natural contours around the ear, starting in the temple hairline, continuing in front of and behind the ear, and ending in the posterior hairline. Proper incision placement ensures virtually invisible scars.
— DEEPPLANE™ medical reviewer
Deep Plane Facelift Incision Techniques: Quick Facts
- Location
- Hairline to behind ear
- Visibility
- Well-hidden when healed
- Healing
- 6-12 months to mature
- Scar Care
- Silicone recommended
- Technique
- Meticulous closure
- Results
- Minimal scarring
Forrás: Clinical Studies & The Aesthetic Society
Deep plane facelift incisions are placed in natural creases, starting in the temporal hairline, running along the front of the ear (or behind the tragus), and ending in the posterior hairline. This allows access to deep facial ligaments, and meticulous closure ensures scars become nearly invisible after maturing for 6-12 months. Understanding the path is key to setting expectations.
- Incisions follow natural creases in front of and behind the ear
- Hairline incisions are designed to preserve natural hair growth
- Proper closure technique is as important as the lift itself
Deep plane facelift incisions are strategically placed within the temporal hairline, along the tragus of the ear, around the earlobe, behind the ear, and into the occipital hairline[2,3]. This placement ensures scars are virtually invisible once healed, typically maturing into thin, flat lines within 6-12 months that are concealed by hair and natural ear contours[1] — making this one of the most scarless surgical approaches available.
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The procedure incisions follow three zones: temporal (hidden in hairline, 3-4 cm), pre-auricular (natural crease in front of ear, 5-7 cm), and post-auricular (behind ear, 4-5 cm). With meticulous multi-layer closure, these incisions become virtually invisible after 6-12 months of healing, and most patients have a smooth recovery of 2–3 weeks.
Three common facelift incision patterns — traditional, short-scar, and deep plane approaches
The 3 Incision Zones
Temporal Zone
3-4 cm in hairline
Hidden within the temporal hairline — completely concealed by hair. Allows access to forehead and upper face.
Pre-Auricular
5-7 cm along ear crease
Follows the natural tragal crease in front of the ear — invisible when healed. Main access for midface.
Post-Auricular
4-5 cm behind ear
Behind the earlobe into the occipital hairline — never visible from the front. Provides neck access.
Incision Placement Guide
Deep plane facelift uses strategically placed incisions that heal within natural creases and hairline.
Temporal
Hidden within the hairline above the ear
Length: 3-4 cm
Pre-auricular
Along the natural crease in front of the ear
Length: 5-7 cm
Post-auricular
Behind the ear, concealed in the crease
Length: 4-5 cm
What Is Incisions?
This advanced facial rejuvenation technique addresses the deeper layers of facial tissue, providing more natural and longer-lasting results compared to traditional methods. The procedure repositions the SMAS layer along with the overlying skin, creating a more comprehensive lift without the pulled or windswept appearance.
Board-certified plastic surgeons who specialize in this technique have extensive training in facial anatomy and can achieve results that look natural while addressing significant signs of aging including jowls, nasolabial folds, and neck laxity.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost varies significantly based on several factors:
- Surgeon Experience: Board-certified specialists typically charge $35,000–$75,000
- Geographic Location: Major cities like NYC and LA have higher costs
- Facility Fees: Hospital vs. accredited surgical center
- Anesthesia: General vs. local with sedation
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Ideal candidates for this procedure typically share these characteristics:
Good Candidates
- • Patients concerned about visible scarring who want hidden incisions
- • Those with adequate hair density to conceal periauricular incisions
- • Patients who heal well and follow scar care protocols
- • Non-smokers (smoking significantly impairs incision healing)
May Not Be Suitable
- • Patients with a history of hypertrophic or keloid scarring
- • Those with very short hair that cannot conceal incision lines
- • Active smokers (high risk of wound dehiscence and poor scar quality)
- • Patients unwilling to follow post-operative scar care instructions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is incisions?
How much does deep plane facelift incisions cost?
Who is a good candidate for deep plane facelift incisions?
How long do deep plane facelift scars take to heal?
Is pretragal or retrotragal incision placement better?
Medical References
- 01Hamra ST. The deep-plane rhytidectomy. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1990;86(1):53-61(új lapon nyílik meg)(Folyóiratcikk)Hozzáférve: 2026-03-21DOI: 10.1097/00006534-199007000-00008
- 02
- 03Furnas DW. The retaining ligaments of the cheek. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1989;83(1):11-16(új lapon nyílik meg)(Folyóiratcikk)Hozzáférve: 2026-03-21DOI: 10.1097/00006534-198901000-00003
Hivatkozás erre az oldalraCC-BY 4.0
DEEPPLANE™ Szerkesztőbizottság (2026). Deep Plane Facelift Incisions. DEEPPLANE™. Forrás: https://deepplane.com/what-is-deep-plane-facelift/incisions
Tartalom licencelve CC-BY 4.0. Szabadon megosztható a DEEPPLANE™ feltüntetésével.
Főbb tények
Common Misconceptions
Myth: Facelift scars are always visible
Fact: When properly placed and healed, facelift incisions are virtually invisible. They follow natural creases and hairline boundaries.
Myth: Shorter incisions mean better results
Fact: Adequate incision length allows proper tissue access and repositioning. Overly short incisions may compromise results.
Essential Considerations
Get personalized guidance from a specialist
Your anatomy, skin thickness, and healing ability affect outcomes
Plan 2-3 weeks off work for optimal healing
Adherence to aftercare instructions is crucial for optimal results
Key Takeaways
Research thoroughly before making decisions
Consult with multiple board-certified surgeons
Review before and after photos carefully
Understand all costs and recovery requirements
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