Face and neck lift surgical techniques vary much like the build quality of any object. Some of these techniques are quick, easy, and provide modest improvements that are short-lived. Others, such as extended deep-plane face and neck lift surgery, are more complex, require more expertise, more surgical patience, and have potential for better jawline definition, cheek elevation, and longer lasting results. Much like home renovations where the build quality and effort made by a contractor varies, the same applies to surgical rejuvenation of the face and neck.
Extended deep-plane surgery involves a release of multiple tethering points throughout the face and neck, and is performed “deeper” in the face. The ligaments of the face are much more extensively release vs. simple facelift techniques. The advantage of this is it allows the deep structures of the face to be re-elevated farther and with less tension than could be achieved with simpler techniques. Another advantage is it allows the skin to simply “come along for the ride”, because the pull is placed only on the deep tissues of the face that are free and mobile. As a result, there is essentially zero tension on the skin, which makes the outcome look more natural and is theoretically longer lasting.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the ability to confidently work on the deep structures in the neck and sculpt them appropriately is often necessary to achieving a nice result and contoured jawline. Without this ability, many necks will be under-corrected.