How Long Deep Plane Facelift Lasts: How long a deep plane facelift lasts has not been measured for all patients. Patients who came back for a second facelift in one surgeon's 30-year series did so after 10.9 years on average. Longevity depends on skin quality, lifestyle factors, and individual aging patterns.
— DEEPPLANE™ reviewer
How Long Deep Plane Facelift Lasts: Quick Facts
- Deep Plane: Time to Second Facelift (returning patients)
- 10.9 years on average (Levin & Frankel 2026)
- Vs SMAS
- Generally more durable
- Factors
- Lifestyle, genetics
- Maintenance
- Good skincare helps
- Touch-ups
- Rarely needed
- Satisfaction
- High long-term
Source: Clinical Studies & The Aesthetic Society
How Long Does Deep Plane Facelift Last
No study has measured how long a deep plane facelift lasts for everyone: the longest series we cite counts only patients who came back for a second lift, so it shows when revisions happen, not how long results hold (Levin and Frankel, PMID 41749415), and a 2025 systematic review notes that whether deep plane outlasts an SMAS facelift is still debated (Khoury et al., PMID 40801931). What DEEPPLANE™ holds as data: 302 of 5,440 published pairs state the time since surgery: 132 were photographed within three months and 30 at twelve months or more.
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How long do deep plane facelift results last?
No study has measured how long results last for everyone, and a 2025 systematic review notes that whether deep plane or SMAS lasts longer is still debated. In the one long-term series we can cite, a single surgeon's 30-year practice with 93 revision facelifts, patients who came back for a second facelift after a deep plane lift did so after an average of 10.9 years (12.4 years if the first lift was at 53 or younger, 9.3 years if older). It counts only the patients who returned, so it says when revisions happen, not how long results last for everyone. Surgeons commonly advise nicotine-free living, daily broad-spectrum SPF and weight stability, but none of these has been measured for how long results last.
Source: DEEPPLANE™ ·
How long a deep plane facelift lasts is one of the first questions patients ask, and the honest answer is that it has not been measured for everyone. The one long-term series counts patients who came back for a second facelift. Understanding what that figure says, and which factors shorten a result, is key before you decide.
- Returning patients came back after 10.9 years on average in one 30-year series
- Lifestyle factors like sun exposure and smoking affect longevity
- Touch-up procedures are simpler than the initial surgery
A deep plane facelift works on the deeper layers; whether it lasts longer than a SMAS facelift is still debated, and no study has measured how long results last for everyone[5]. Surgeons attribute its durability to repositioning the deeper SMAS and fat pad structures rather than relying on skin tension alone[2]. Aging continues after surgery, and we hold no study that measures how a result looks a decade later[3].
How Long Each Facelift Type Lasts
A deep plane facelift repositions facial tissue beneath the SMAS rather than just tightening it, at the cost of a longer 4–6 hour surgery and a 2–3 week recovery. How long each technique lasts has not been compared head to head.
| Technique | Plane of dissection | Results last | Cost (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Plane Facelift | Beneath the SMAS (sub-SMAS) | Not measured head to head | $35,000–$75,000 |
| SMAS Facelift | At or above the SMAS | Not measured head to head | $10,000–$25,000 |
| Mini Facelift | Skin + limited SMAS | Not measured head to head | $5,000–$12,000 |
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Expert guide covering the longevity of the deep plane approach results and factors affecting duration.
What Factors Affect How Long Deep Plane Results Last?
What factors affect how long deep plane facelift results last?
Six factors are commonly discussed for longevity: patient age at surgery, baseline skin quality and collagen density, surgeon's technique quality and ligament-release completeness, whether the result is supported with ongoing skincare and sun protection, smoking status, and genetic aging tempo. None of these has been measured in years of added or lost longevity.
- Sun protection. Daily SPF 50 every day. UV damage accelerates skin aging and undermines surgical gains.
- Smoking. Nicotine damages blood supply and degrades collagen faster.
- Genetics. Bone structure and skin thickness vary; they change how a result ages.
- Skincare. Retinoids and daily sunscreen support the skin over the lift.
What the whole published library says
A single clinic shows you its own results. These are the numbers across every before and after pair DEEPPLANE publishes. They are collected from public sources, counted the same way for every surgeon, and stated with what is missing.
- published before & after pairs
- 5,440from 760 surgeons in 58 countries
- state when the photo was taken
- 3025.6%
- are twelve months or more after surgery
- 300.6%
- state the patient's age
- 1,82733.6%
Most published before and after photographs anywhere, ours included, are taken in the first months, when swelling still flatters the result. Only 30 of our 5,440 pairs are twelve months or more post-operative. When you judge a surgeon's gallery, ask how long after surgery each photo was taken.
These images are collected from public sources: surgeons' own websites and social accounts. They are attributed to the surgeon who published them. We do not authenticate photographs. How often surgeons date their photographs, by country
See the photographs taken at twelve months on the 12-month recovery page, where each one carries its post-op day.
Deep Plane Facelift After 10 Years
We hold no study that measures how much of a deep plane lift remains at 10 years. Natural aging continues after surgery, and many patients choose non-surgical maintenance (Botulinum toxin, filler, skincare) at this stage rather than a full revision. In the one long-term series we can cite, a single surgeon's 30-year practice with 93 revision facelifts, patients who came back for a second facelift after a deep plane lift did so after an average of 10.9 years (12.4 years if the first lift was at 53 or younger, 9.3 years if older). It counts only the patients who returned, so it says when revisions happen, not how long results last for everyone.[4]
How Long Do Deep Plane Facelift Results Last?
This advanced facial rejuvenation technique addresses the deeper layers of facial tissue, working in a different layer from traditional methods; we hold no study that compares how natural or how long-lasting the results are. 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.
Understand the Full Picture
How Much Does a Deep Plane Facelift Cost?
The cost varies significantly based on several factors:
- Surgeon Experience: Most board-certified specialists charge $35,000–$75,000; top New York and Beverly Hills surgeons charge $75,000–$150,000; celebrity-tier procedures reach $300,000
- Geographic Location: Major cities like NYC and LA have higher costs
- Facility Fees: Hospital vs. accredited surgical center
- Anesthesia: General vs. local with sedation
Compare costs across countries in our best country for facelift guide. See how SMAS compares: SMAS facelift overview.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Deep Plane Facelift?
Ideal candidates for this procedure typically share these characteristics:
Good Candidates
- • Patients with moderate to advanced midface and jawline sagging
- • Those willing to maintain results with sun protection and skincare
- • Non-smokers who understand aging continues after surgery
- • Patients who understand results are not permanent
Potential Concerns
- • Those expecting permanent results that stop all aging
- • Patients unwilling to protect skin from sun damage post-surgery
- • Active smokers (smoking accelerates tissue aging and reduces longevity)
- • Those comparing facelift longevity to non-surgical treatment timelines
Learn more about candidacy requirements or explore the best age for a deep plane facelift.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do deep plane facelift results last?
How much does a deep plane facelift cost?
Who is a good candidate for a deep plane facelift?
What factors shorten deep plane facelift longevity?
Will I need a revision facelift?
What is the most important skincare habit for preserving facelift results?
When can I restart retinol or tretinoin after my facelift?
Do I need ongoing Botulinum toxin and filler to maintain my facelift?
What happens 10 years after a facelift?
Medical References
- 01Hamra ST. The deep-plane rhytidectomy. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1990;86(1):53-61(opens in new tab)(Journal Article)Accessed: 2026-03-21DOI: 10.1097/00006534-199007000-00008
- 02Owsley JQ. Face lifting: problems, solutions, and an outcome study. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2000;105(1):302-313(opens in new tab)(Journal Article)Accessed: 2026-08-05
- 03American Society of Plastic Surgeons - Facelift Statistics 2024(opens in new tab)(Organization)Accessed: 2026-03-21
- 04
- 05
Cite this pageCC-BY 4.0
DEEPPLANE™ Editorial Team (2026). How Long Does Deep Plane Facelift Last. DEEPPLANE™. Retrieved from https://deepplane.com/what-is-deep-plane-facelift/how-long-does-it-last
DEEPPLANE™. How Long Does Deep Plane Facelift Last. deepplane.com. Updated 2026-10-01. https://deepplane.com/what-is-deep-plane-facelift/how-long-does-it-last
DEEPPLANE™ Editorial Team. "How Long Does Deep Plane Facelift Last." DEEPPLANE™. Last modified 2026-10-01. https://deepplane.com/what-is-deep-plane-facelift/how-long-does-it-last.
DEEPPLANE™ Editorial Team. "How Long Does Deep Plane Facelift Last." DEEPPLANE™, 2026-10-01, https://deepplane.com/what-is-deep-plane-facelift/how-long-does-it-last.
@misc{deepplane_eep_plane_facelift_how_long_does_it_last,
author = {DEEPPLANE™ Editorial Team},
title = {How Long Does Deep Plane Facelift Last},
year = {2026},
url = {https://deepplane.com/what-is-deep-plane-facelift/how-long-does-it-last},
note = {Last modified 2026-10-01. Licensed CC-BY 4.0.},
}<a href="https://deepplane.com/what-is-deep-plane-facelift/how-long-does-it-last">How Long Does Deep Plane Facelift Last — DEEPPLANE™</a>
Content licensed CC-BY 4.0. Free to share with attribution to DEEPPLANE™.
Key Facts
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Common Misconceptions
Myth: Results are permanent
Fact: While long-lasting, aging continues after facelift. No study has measured how long results last for everyone; some patients later choose a revision.
Myth: Smoking does not affect longevity
Fact: Smoking significantly accelerates skin aging and can reduce facelift longevity. Surgeons require smoking cessation before and after surgery.
Myth: Sun exposure does not matter after healing
Fact: UV damage continues to age skin. Sun protection is essential for maintaining facelift results long-term.
DEEPPLANE™ Review Council
DEEPPLANE™ editorial standard
The DEEPPLANE™ Review Council is the name under which DEEPPLANE™ publishes its editorial standard; it is not a standing board of named surgeons. Our guides are written and edited in-house to that standard. Review is recorded per article, not claimed for the site as a whole — a guide names a surgeon as its reviewer only when that surgeon has signed it, and says so plainly when none has.