FaceTite, V-Lyft, or Deep Plane
Navigating Modern Facial Rejuvenation

We live in an era of unprecedented options for facial rejuvenation. Whether you are noticing the early signs of gravity or you have recently achieved a major weight-loss milestone, looking in the mirror might feel confusing. You may feel vibrant and energetic on the inside, while your reflection looks tired or "deflated."

At our practice, we view facial aging not as a flaw, but as an architectural shift. It is usually a combination of two things: descent (gravity pulling tissues down) and deflation (loss of volume).

To fix this, we have curated a menu of treatments that prioritize safety, longevity, and natural results. You have likely heard terms like "FaceTite" or "Deep Plane Facelift" thrown around on social media. But which is right for you? And why do we champion the V-Lyft over the Deep Plane technique?

FaceTite (The "Shrink-Wrap" Method)

Best for

Mild to moderate skin laxity, patients in their 30s-40s, or those seeking a "gap" procedure between non-invasive treatments and surgery.

For many patients, a full facelift feels like too big a step, yet fillers and lasers aren't doing enough. This is where FaceTite excels. It utilizes radiofrequency energy—essentially controlled heat—to tighten the skin from the inside out.

How it works

Think of FaceTite like shrink-wrapping a package. A tiny probe goes beneath the skin to melt small pockets of stubborn fat while heating the fibrous bands that connect your skin to your muscle. This triggers a massive "wound healing" response, stimulating your body to produce new collagen that tightens and firms the jawline over 3 to 6 months.

The Bottom Line

It offers significant contouring with minimal downtime (usually a long weekend), but it relies on your skin’s ability to retract. If you have significant loose skin or heavy jowling, you may need a structural solution.

The Deep Plane Facelift (The Aggressive Approach)

What is it?

The Deep Plane Facelift has gained popularity on social media in recent years. It involves releasing the ligaments that tether facial tissues and lifting the muscle and skin layers. It requires deeper dissection into the face, closer to the facial nerves.

Why We Don't Perform Deep Plane Facelifts

At our practice, our philosophy is Simplicity, Safety, and Results. While the Deep Plane technique is effective, we believe in analyzing the Risk vs. Reward ratio for our patients.

Based on the highest quality current medical literature, we have found that the Deep Plane technique carries higher risks without guaranteeing superior long-term results compared to our preferred method, the V-Lyft.

The Science: What the Studies Say

We rely on peer-reviewed evidence to guide our surgical decisions. Here is why we opt for SMAS techniques over Deep Plane:

• Higher Complication Rate: A 2024 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis pooling data from nearly 3,000 patients found that Deep Plane facelifts had a higher overall complication rate (~17.2%) compared to SMAS facelifts (10.3%). The deeper dissection inherently carries more risk to the delicate structures of the face.
• No Clear Aesthetic Superiority: A comparative study regarding "Deep-plane vs SMAS plication" analyzed aesthetic outcomes in patients under 70 years old. The result? No clear superiority was found in the aesthetic results between the two techniques.
• Comparable Longevity: While anecdotal reports vary, systematic reviews indicate that both techniques provide robust, durable, long-lasting results. The idea that a Deep Plane lift lasts decades longer than a well-performed SMAS lift is not currently supported by randomized academic trials.

The V-Lyft (Our Signature Solution)

Best for

Moderate to significant skin laxity, jowling, volume loss, and patients seeking the "Gold Standard" of safety and longevity.

The V-Lyft is our specialized combination of SMAS Plication and Fat Transfer. It addresses both causes of aging: gravity (the sag) and deflation (the volume loss).

Part 1: The Lift (SMAS Plication)

Instead of cutting deep into the danger zones of the face (like the Deep Plane), the V-Lyft utilizes SMAS Plication.

• The Technique: Imagine a dress that is slightly too loose. To make it fit perfectly, a tailor creates a "pleat" or fold in the fabric and stitches it securely. This is what we do with the SMAS (the muscle layer). We fold and tighten the underlying muscle layer, securing it in a higher, youthful position.
• The Benefit: This provides the substantial lift and longevity you want, but because we are not dissecting deep under the facial nerve layer, the safety profile is significantly better (10.3% risk profile vs 17.2% for Deep Plane).

Part 2: The Volume (Fat Transfer)

A facelift pulls things tight, but it doesn't replace the volume you've lost over time. A tight face that is empty can look "gaunt" or "windswept."

• The Technique: We take a small amount of fat from your body (abdomen or thighs), purify it, and gently graft it into the cheeks, temples, or under-eyes.
• The Benefit: This restores the soft, heart-shaped contour of youth. Furthermore, fat is rich in stem cells, which can improve the texture and glow of the overlying skin.

Why the V-Lyft Wins

It gives you the structural lift of surgery and the youthful volume of fillers (but permanent), all while maintaining a statistically safer approach than the Deep Plane technique.

Comparison Guide

Making a medical decision should be based on facts, not trends. Here is how these procedures stack up against one another.