A Complete Facial Rejuvenation

Facial surgical specialist Dr. Elizabeth Chance understands the emotional impact of seeing a face in the mirror that no longer reflects how you feel. Fillers and BOTOX can be wonderful aides, but they are temporary and require regular maintenance. Consider a deep plane facelift in Charlottesville, VA, for long-lasting facial rejuvenation. Dr. Chance enjoys the distinction of being one of the only women surgeons to deliver top-tier deep plane facelift results consistently. 

Extensive Correction With A Deep Plane Facelift

Dr. Chance’s approach to facial aging is one centered on anatomy. Her signature deep plane facelift in Charlottesville, VA, yields transformational outcomes that appear natural, healthy, and appropriate without calling attention to your surgical journey. The results of deep plane facelifts last longer than other facelifts because this approach manipulates deeper layers of facial tissue and muscle. 

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What Is A Deep Plane Facelift?

The deep plane facelift is a sophisticated surgical approach that targets the SMAS layer, a foundational layer beneath the skin comprising muscles and soft tissues. This method effectively elevates and rejuvenates the mid and lower facial regions while enhancing the contour of the cheeks and jawline. While more involved than superficial treatments, its results are notably enduring, offering comprehensive facial enhancement.

In executing the deep plane facelift, Dr Chance initiates with precise incisions placed strategically along the hairline and encircling the ear. Subsequently, she delicately separated the skin to access the underlying SMAS layer. Her signature deep plane approach addresses the jawline and midface by releasing the facial ligaments that hold the face in its aged position, thus allowing the tissue to be elevated and repositioned without pulling against those ligaments. The importance of this ligamentous release is paramount, as it sets the boundaries for the level of repositioning possible and results in improved long-term sustainability of the results. Once this restructuring is complete, the skin is smoothly repositioned over the revitalized SMAS layer, and any surplus skin is excised. The procedure concludes with the closure of incisions using either sutures or staples.

Notably, the deep plane facelift yields outcomes that appear refreshingly natural, avoiding the “pulled” or “stretched” look associated with alternative techniques.

How Is A Deep Plane Facelift By Dr. Chance Superior?

Dr. Chance’s preferred modality is the extended deep plane facelift, which contours the cheeks and redefines the jawline by full ligament release and repositioning. Her eye for facial aesthetics, skilled artistry focused on detail, and dedication to giving each surgery the time it deserves is what place her results a cut above her peers. Over the course of her practice, she has developed techniques to create a balanced, beautiful face. Dr. Chance is well known for imperceptible incisions because she expertly tailors each one for optimal camouflage. She has also developed intraoperative maneuvers to reduce bleeding and bruising significantly. Above all, your surgery occurs in an unrushed fashion, allowing her creativity and attention to detail to manifest in an incredible transformation. All these considerations are only possible because of Dr. Chance’s rigorous and specialized training and her decision to give each patient her undivided attention.

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Is A Deep Plane Facelift For Me?

The best way to find out is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Chance at her practice in Charlottesville, Virginia. During this hour-long session, Dr. Chance listens as you share your goals and fears without pressure or judgment. 

This commitment to fostering a safe and gentle environment is part of the C + Co Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics philosophy of patient-forward care. Dr. Chance will answer all your questions and share the procedure's benefits and risks.

If Dr. Chance considers you a viable candidate for a deep plane facelift, she will ensure that you have all the information and support needed to make an educated choice.

What Are Some Reasons To Seek A Deep Plane Facelift?

If you are consistently bothered by sagging skin or an aged appearance and temporary solutions like fillers and BOTOX aren’t providing the desired results, it may be time to seek a consultation with Dr. Chance. Some patients even seek a deep plane facelift in their 40s to stave off significant signs of aging in the decades to come. The best candidates for a deep plane facelift are healthy non-smokers who are prepared to handle the physical and emotional aspects of recovery. Below are some other reasons patients seek deep-plane facelifts:

  • Drooping in the mid and lower face or jowls
  • Skin laxity 
  • Sunken or hollow cheeks
  • Desire a jawline and neckline refresh
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What Is Recovery Like After A Deep Plane Facelift?

Understanding the recovery stages of a deep plane facelift can guide your expectations. 
Immediately After Surgery: Following the procedure, our medical team will monitor your condition closely. It's common to experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort during this initial phase.

  • First Week: Expect swelling and bruising to be most pronounced during these initial days. Prescribed medications can help manage any discomfort, and ample rest is advised.
  • Weeks 2-3: By this time, the initial swelling and bruising usually diminish, revealing early signs of improvement. Adhering to Dr. Chance’s thoughtful post-operative guidelines, such as maintaining an elevated head position and avoiding rigorous activities, remains essential and will help speed recovery.
  • Months 2-3: Your facial appearance will continue to enhance during this phase, though minor swelling might persist. It's important to note that optimal results may take a few more months to fully manifest.
  • Long-Term Outlook: Over the subsequent 6 to 12 months, you'll observe further refinement in your results. A consistent healthy lifestyle and skincare routine can help sustain the benefits of your deep plane facelift.

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What Results Can I Expect After The Procedure?

While a traditional facelift primarily addresses the outer facial layers, offering improvements that generally endure for about five to seven years, the deep plane facelift delves deeper into the facial tissue. This deeper approach often yields more extensive and enduring outcomes, potentially lasting a decade or even longer.

However, it's essential to understand that while the deep plane facelift offers prolonged benefits, it doesn't halt the natural aging process indefinitely. Over time, you might consider further treatments to uphold your preferred aesthetic results. Dr Chance will discuss your individual goals with you in detail during your consultation and provide insight into your specific expected outcome. 

Woman-Led & Patient-Forward Care

Dr. Chance and her expert staff at C+ Co Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics in Charlottesville, Virginia, are an all-woman team that understands what it's like to face the pressures of aging. Unfortunately, this pressure can cause people to rush into expensive procedures that make them look plastic and overdone. At C+ Co Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics, Dr. Chance and her caring team consider it an honor to be entrusted with your face. With compassionate, unhurried, and attentive care, we foster trust with each of our patients so they understand that we always have their best interests in mind.

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Dr. Chance

A Facial Specialist

When considering a deep plane facelift, entrusting your care to a skilled facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Elizabeth Chance is paramount. The deep plane facelift technique requires a meticulous understanding of facial anatomy and precise surgical skills to achieve optimal results. Dr. Chance's dedication to facial cosmetic surgery and her expertise in dissecting and reconstructing the face make her the ideal choice for this transformative procedure. With her commitment to patient education and empathy-driven approach, Dr. Chance ensures that each individual receives personalized care tailored to their unique needs.

By choosing Dr. Chance for your deep plane facelift, you not only gain access to her extensive experience but also guarantee yourself the highest level of safety, comfort, and satisfaction throughout your journey to facial rejuvenation. Schedule your consultation today.

Deep Plance Facelift FAQs

How does a deep plane facelift address age-related changes in the midface and cheeks compared to traditional methods?

Will a deep plane facelift completely correct my submental laxity, or do I need an additional neck procedure?

I have a naturally short upper lip. Will lifting the lower face make my mouth area look distorted?

How does the deep plane approach affect the appearance of heavy jowls and the buccal fat pad?

Can I address fine lines, vertical lip lines, and sun damage at the same time as my deep plane facelift?

How does a deep plane facelift address age-related changes in the midface and cheeks compared to traditional methods?

Unlike traditional facelifts that pull the skin and superficial tissue horizontally, a deep plane facelift enters beneath the muscle layer (the SMAS). This allows Dr. Chance to release the securing ligaments and elevate the heavy malar fat pad of the cheek vertically. By lifting the deeper structure back to its youthful position, it naturally hollows out the nasolabial folds and restores fullness to the cheeks without an artificial, "swept-back" look. For comprehensive facial rejuvenation, many patients choose to pair this structural lift with a custom fat transfer to restore micro-volumes of lost fat.

Will a deep plane facelift completely correct my submental laxity, or do I need an additional neck procedure?

While a deep plane facelift does an exceptional job of smoothing the jawline and lifting the upper neck, advanced sagging or "banding" under the chin often requires deeper muscular intervention. To achieve a crisp, sharply defined profile, Dr. Chance frequently extends the approach into a structural neck lift. This combined approach addresses the deep platysma muscle, subplatysmal fat, and digastric muscles to ensure your neck contour matches your beautifully refreshed jawline.

I have a naturally short upper lip. Will lifting the lower face make my mouth area look distorted?

No. Because a deep plane facelift works beneath the structural layers rather than pulling laterally on the skin, it does not stretch or widen the mouth. However, a facelift cannot inherently shorten a long distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip that occurs with aging. If you want to address an elongated upper lip or thin vermilion border alongside your facelift, Dr. Chance can simultaneously perform a specialized lip lift to create a youthful, balanced pout.

How does the deep plane approach affect the appearance of heavy jowls and the buccal fat pad?

Heavy jowls are often a combination of descending facial fat and laxity in the lower cheek region. The deep plane technique allows for direct mobilization and superior repositioning of these sagging tissues. If your lower face fullness is also caused by naturally prominent cheek pads, Dr. Chance can evaluate whether a subtle buccal fat removal or repositioning during your facelift is appropriate to sculpt a sleeker, more contoured lower facial profile.

Can I address fine lines, vertical lip lines, and sun damage at the same time as my deep plane facelift?

Yes. A deep plane facelift addresses structural sagging, gravity, and deep folds, but it does not change the actual quality, texture, or pigmentation of the skin surface. Because the deep plane technique preserves the critical blood supply between the skin and the underlying tissue, it is uniquely safe to combine with resurfacing treatments. Dr. Chance frequently performs a targeted CO2 Tetra Laser treatment during the same operative session to erase fine lines, age spots, and acne scarring for a completely renewed glow.

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