Facelift Surgeryin Scottsdale, AZ

Why a Deep Plane Facelift?

A Structural Lift with Smoother Healing

To understand why deep plane facelifts are so effective, let’s first explain a key facial structure: the SMAS.

What is the SMAS?

The Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System (SMAS) is a layer of connective tissue and muscle that sits just beneath the skin. It’s what anchors the skin to the deeper facial muscles, and it plays a key role in how your face moves and ages.

Traditional Facelift (SMAS Plication) vs. Deep Plane Facelift

Most facelift surgeons perform a SMAS plication, where the SMAS layer is folded or stitched tighter, but not fully repositioned. While this provides some lift, it can place tension on the skin, and it often doesn’t address the deeper cause of sagging.

We specialize in the deep plane facelift, which goes further. It carefully releases and lifts both the SMAS and underlying fat pads, allowing for more comprehensive and natural repositioning of facial structures.

Think of it like making a bed:

• The skin is the bedsheet
• The SMAS is the mattress topper
• The facial muscles and bones are the mattress underneath

If your bed looks wrinkled, a traditional facelift just pulls the sheet tighter. But if the topper beneath is out of place, the sheet will wrinkle again.

A deep plane facelift lifts and repositions both the mattress topper (SMAS) and the bedsheet (skin), smoothing the surface while correcting the deeper cause of sagging.

Benefits of the Deep Plane Facelift:

The deep plane facelift offers a comprehensive lift by repositioning the cheeks, jowls, and jawline in one smooth, cohesive movement. Unlike other techniques, it restores volume to the midface naturally, without the need for fillers, resulting in a youthful, balanced appearance. Because this method places no tension on the skin, it avoids the unnatural “pulled” look often associated with facelift surgery.

By preserving the blood supply to the facial tissues, the deep plane facelift leads to less bruising and swelling, allowing for a faster, more comfortable recovery. Additionally, this technique delivers longer-lasting results compared to traditional facelift methods, making it an excellent choice for those seeking enduring facial rejuvenation.

Tailored Facelift Options

Depending on your individual concerns and your surgeon’s recommendation, one of the following facelift procedures may be performed.

Deep Plane Facelift 

The deep plane facelift is an advanced technique designed to address moderate to advanced signs of facial aging, including sagging cheeks, jowls, smile lines, and a softened jawline. It involves carefully hidden incisions along the hairline and around the ears, and is performed under twilight sedation or general anesthesia. The procedure takes approximately 4 to 6 hours, with a typical downtime of 7 to 10 days. Known for delivering natural, elegant results, this approach allows for a smoother healing process and long-lasting rejuvenation.

Mini Facelift

The mini facelift is ideal for patients in their 40s to 50s or anyone seeking a subtle, refreshed look without undergoing a full facelift. It targets early signs of aging, such as mild sagging and early jowling, using shorter incisions around the ears for a less invasive approach. With a downtime of just 5 to 7 days, the mini facelift offers natural-looking improvement and a quicker recovery, perfect for those wanting a lighter lift with minimal disruption.

Looking for an even lighter lift with rapid recovery? Learn more about our P.R.O. Facial Rejuvenation, performed in-office under local anesthesia.

The Defyne Approach

At Defyne, we don’t just lift skin; we rebuild facial structure. Using advanced deep plane techniques and scar-minimizing incisions, our skilled surgeons create customized treatment plans tailored to your unique anatomy and goals. The result is a look that’s lifted but never tight, younger but unmistakably you, and confident without ever appearing “done.”

With the use of gentle twilight anesthesia, an artistic eye, and extensive specialized training, we provide a facelift experience that prioritizes your comfort and safety while delivering stunning, natural results you’ll love.

What to Expect

• Prepare
• During Your Procedure
• Downtime & Recovery

A consultation is the first step toward achieving your personalized facial rejuvenation goals at Defyne. During this visit, you will meet with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons to discuss your concerns, desired outcomes, and any questions you may have about facelift surgery.

If a facelift is recommended, you may be advised to stop or adjust certain medications and supplements that could increase bleeding risk. Smoking cessation is strongly encouraged well before surgery to promote optimal healing. Your surgeon will provide you with detailed instructions on how to prepare for your procedure, including guidelines for preoperative testing, fasting before surgery, and arranging for post-operative care. Following these recommendations helps ensure a safe procedure and smooth recovery.

A facelift typically takes between 4 and 6 hours to complete and is most often performed using twilight sedation, which is a safer and more comfortable alternative to general anesthesia. With twilight sedation, you remain fully asleep while breathing on your own, without the need for a breathing tube or muscle paralysis drugs. This results in less nausea, reduced grogginess, and a faster recovery, offering a smoother, more relaxing experience overseen by a board-certified anesthesiologist. Many patients describe it as gentle, with less downtime and a quicker return to normal life.

During the procedure, your surgeon will make carefully placed incisions hidden within natural creases around the ears, along the hairline, and behind the ears to minimize visible scarring. The surgery focuses on repositioning deeper facial structures to restore youthful contours while avoiding tension on the skin, which promotes more natural healing and reduces the risk of noticeable scars. After surgery, most patients are able to return home or to their hotel just a few hours later, starting their recovery in the comfort of familiar surroundings.

In the first 1 to 3 days after your facelift, swelling and bruising typically peak, though these are generally minimal compared to traditional facelift techniques. Between days 4 and 7, swelling begins to subside, and most stitches are usually removed during this time. Most patients feel comfortable returning to work and social activities between days 7 and 10. Light exercise can typically be resumed around weeks 3 to 4, while full results from the procedure continue to develop and become apparent over 3 to 6 months. Throughout your recovery, our team will provide guidance, a cooling mask to minimize bruising, and ongoing support during recovery to help you heal smoothly and achieve the best possible outcome.

What to Expect

• Prepare

  A consultation is the first step toward achieving your personalized facial rejuvenation goals at Defyne. During this visit, you will meet with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons to discuss your concerns, desired outcomes, and any questions you may have about facelift surgery.

  If a facelift is recommended, you may be advised to stop or adjust certain medications and supplements that could increase bleeding risk. Smoking cessation is strongly encouraged well before surgery to promote optimal healing. Your surgeon will provide you with detailed instructions on how to prepare for your procedure, including guidelines for preoperative testing, fasting before surgery, and arranging for post-operative care. Following these recommendations helps ensure a safe procedure and smooth recovery.

• During Your Procedure

  A facelift typically takes between 4 and 6 hours to complete and is most often performed using twilight sedation, which is a safer and more comfortable alternative to general anesthesia. With twilight sedation, you remain fully asleep while breathing on your own, without the need for a breathing tube or muscle paralysis drugs. This results in less nausea, reduced grogginess, and a faster recovery, offering a smoother, more relaxing experience overseen by a board-certified anesthesiologist. Many patients describe it as gentle, with less downtime and a quicker return to normal life.

  During the procedure, your surgeon will make carefully placed incisions hidden within natural creases around the ears, along the hairline, and behind the ears to minimize visible scarring. The surgery focuses on repositioning deeper facial structures to restore youthful contours while avoiding tension on the skin, which promotes more natural healing and reduces the risk of noticeable scars. After surgery, most patients are able to return home or to their hotel just a few hours later, starting their recovery in the comfort of familiar surroundings.

• Downtime & Recovery

  In the first 1 to 3 days after your facelift, swelling and bruising typically peak, though these are generally minimal compared to traditional facelift techniques. Between days 4 and 7, swelling begins to subside, and most stitches are usually removed during this time. Most patients feel comfortable returning to work and social activities between days 7 and 10. Light exercise can typically be resumed around weeks 3 to 4, while full results from the procedure continue to develop and become apparent over 3 to 6 months. Throughout your recovery, our team will provide guidance, a cooling mask to minimize bruising, and ongoing support during recovery to help you heal smoothly and achieve the best possible outcome.

are you a good fit?

Facelift Candidates

You may be a good candidate for a facelift if you’ve noticed sagging cheeks, jowls, or deep facial folds that affect your youthful appearance. A facelift offers long-lasting, natural-looking results to help restore a refreshed, more vibrant look. Ideal candidates are in good overall health, non-smokers, and have realistic expectations about the outcome. If you’re ready to look like your best self and embrace a rejuvenated appearance, a facelift could be the right choice for you.

Procedures Commonly Combined with Facelift

For patients seeking more comprehensive facial rejuvenation, a facelift is often combined with other procedures that address aging in adjacent areas. When performed together, these procedures enhance overall balance and harmony, helping you achieve a naturally refreshed and youthful look from every angle.

Neck Lift

Often performed in conjunction with a facelift, a neck lift refines the jawline and eliminates sagging skin or vertical banding in the neck. By addressing both the face and neck simultaneously, patients enjoy smoother contours and more cohesive results.

Upper and/or Lower Blepharoplasty

Also known as eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty rejuvenates the eyes by removing excess skin, fat, or puffiness from the upper and lower eyelids. When combined with a facelift, this procedure helps eliminate a tired appearance and brightens the overall expression.

Brow Lift

A brow lift elevates drooping brows and smooths forehead lines, restoring a more alert and rested look. Pairing a brow lift with a facelift ensures the upper and lower face are rejuvenated in harmony for a consistent, natural outcome.

Lip Lift

A lip lift shortens the distance between the nose and upper lip, enhancing lip shape and revealing more of the upper teeth for a youthful smile. This subtle yet impactful procedure complements a facelift by improving balance and proportion around the mouth area.

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What Our Patients Say

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Wonderful, professional and caring team with strong expertise across a range of state-of-the-art skin rejuvenation and enhancement techniques. With the right blend of knowledge, personal attention and proactive solutions, tailored to my individual needs, Dr. Tessler and his team delivered outstanding results.

- B.W.

Dr. Tessler is fantastic, he listened to everything I was nervous about and made me feel very comfortable. He gave me exactly what I was imagining and hoping for! All of the staff was very welcoming, sweet, and kind as well. I couldn’t recommend them enough!

- K.M.

Next to being an extremely intelligent and beyond-competent surgeon, Dr. Tessler is one of the coolest, down-to-earth individuals I’ve met. He will answer a million questions and never once makes you feel rushed. He explains things in a way that breaks down the process but doesn’t lose the value of his experience or professionalism. The first time I met him he made me feel like we’ve known each other for forever (that’s how comfortable he made me feel)!

- S.D.

Defyne is full of the most educated, kindest, most helpful group of people I have ever had the experience of working with. Every single time I step into the office they make me feel like I’m the most important person in the world.

- S.D.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will there be scarring after a facelift?

  As with any surgical procedure that involves the creation of incisions, scarring is inevitable following a facelift. However, our surgeons use advanced surgical methods and meticulous workmanship to achieve the desired result while concealing and minimizing scarring. Because every face is different, we treat each patient as a unique case, with the goal of delivering the best facelift Scottsdale, AZ has to offer.

• When can I see my facelift results?

  The results of a facelift are apparent immediately after surgery and will improve as bruising and swelling subside. Many patients say that they look years younger after this treatment. Keep in mind, though, that facelifts do not put a hold on the aging process. You may need to have touch-up surgery in the future to maintain the new-found, rejuvenated, and refreshed appearance.

• What is the difference between a surgical and nonsurgical facelift?

  Nonsurgical facelifts use non-invasive treatments such as injectable fillers and BOTOX to achieve a rejuvenated, youthful appearance – without subjecting patients to the downtime of surgery. However, these treatments only tend to address mild cosmetic concerns, and the results are short-lived (typically lasting less than a year). You’ll need to have another treatment in order to keep the new look. If you are looking to address substantial facial cosmetic concerns or for an outcome that will last for years, a surgical facelift is the best choice.

Start Your Transformation

If you’re ready to look as vibrant as you feel, we’re here to guide you. Schedule your private consultation at Defyne today and discover what’s possible with a modern facelift.

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