Deep Plane Facelift
A deep plane facelift offers a natural-looking rejuvenation—especially in the cheeks, smile lines, and jawline. By lifting the deeper layers of the face rather than just tightening the skin, this technique restores youthful volume and contours without that overly “done” look. The result is a refreshed, rested appearance that still looks completely like you.
Dr. Lindsey Pennington, a double board certified facial plastic surgeon in Shreveport is known for her refined, artistic approach to facial rejuvenation. With a deep understanding of facial anatomy and aesthetics, she delivers beautiful, balanced results tailored to each individual’s features.
What is a Deep Plane Facelift?
A deep plane facelift primarily targets the midface, including the cheeks, nasolabial folds, jawline, and provides some improvement to the neck area. Focusing mainly around the cheek and jawline, the dissection is limited to the deep plane, which lies beneath the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) and above the facial muscles. One of the key benefits of this technique is that it allows for a natural-looking lift by releasing the ligaments and elevating the cheek fat pads without creating a tight or overly pulled appearance of the skin. A deep plane facelift may have limitations in patients with significant skin laxity, as it might not sufficiently address sagging in the lower neck or more prominent jowls.
Deep Plane Facelift
Types of Deep Plane Facelift
A preservation facelift is a type of extended deep plane facelift that involves less skin dissection, which helps minimize postoperative swelling and reduces recovery time. During the procedure, Dr. Pennington elevates the skin starting from the area adjacent to the ear and extending approximately one inch toward the lateral midface (cheek region). From that point, she enters the deep place and the dissection continues entirely within the deep plane, extending toward the nasofacial junction near the base of the nose. This approach allows for effective mobilization and repositioning of the facial soft tissues—particularly the midface, nasolabial fold region, and jowls—by lifting and redraping them in a more youthful position toward the area near the ear, so the deep plane actually extends to the ear and any excess skin is removed.
It is an advanced surgical technique that lifts and repositions the deeper structures of the face—specifically the SMAS layer (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) and the facial fat pads—without separating them from the overlying skin.
Unlike traditional facelifts that tighten skin or just manipulate the SMAS superficially, a preservation deep plane facelift releases deeper retaining ligaments and lifts the muscle, fat, and skin as one unit, allowing for more natural movement, better volume restoration, and longer-lasting results.
Key Benefits:
- More natural-looking results (no pulled or windblown appearance)
- More effective in treating midface sagging, nasolabial folds, and jowls
- Results tend to last longer than traditional facelifts
- Allows for preservation of volume in areas like the cheeks
- Less risk to skin and shorter downtime
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Before & After
Deep Plane Facelift
Dr. Pennington Prefers the Deep Plane Facelift
Dr. Pennington does not offer mini facelifts because they often fail to provide lasting or natural-looking results over time. Instead, all of her facelift procedures are fully extended deep plane facelifts, and here’s why:
Mini facelifts primarily tighten a limited area of skin around the lateral malar region (upper cheek) and along the jawline. While this may offer mild initial improvement, it often leaves residual laxity in the midface and deep facial structures, particularly around the nasolabial folds and jowls. This imbalance can result in an unnatural appearance as the rest of the face continues to age—often more noticeably—leading to disharmony in facial aesthetics.
Dr. Pennington believes that a comprehensive approach is essential, especially for patients in their 30s experiencing facial volume loss due to weight loss, or in their 40s with early signs of facial aging. By performing a fully extended deep plane facelift, she is able to reposition the deeper facial tissues—including the SMAS layer and ligaments of the midface, jowls, and lower face—for long-lasting, natural-looking results.
She does not recommend mini facelifts for the following reasons:
- Limited correction – They fail to address deeper structural aging and often result in recurrent sagging within 1–2 years.
- Surgical burden with minimal benefit – Despite undergoing surgery and receiving scars, the outcome is short-lived.
- Unnatural aging over time – By only tightening superficial tissues, mini facelifts can distort facial harmony as deeper tissues continue to age independently.
For patients seeking meaningful and lasting rejuvenation, Dr. Pennington believes a deep plane facelift offers the most effective and aesthetically balanced result.
Why Choose Dr. Pennington for a Deep Plane Facelift in Shreveport?
Patients choose Dr. Lindsey Pennington for her rare combination of elite surgical expertise, advanced training, and dedication to natural, lasting results. As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and otolaryngologist, Dr. Pennington is a world renowned facelift expert who specializes exclusively in facial aesthetics and reconstructive surgery, offering procedures like the extended deep plane facelift with exceptional skill and precision. She completed a prestigious facial plastic surgery fellowship and now owns and operates her own accredited surgical center, ensuring the highest standards of care. In addition to her surgical work, Dr. Pennington is a nationally recognized educator and speaker for Galderma and Allergan, trusted by peers to teach the latest injection and anatomy techniques. With a reputation for delivering personalized, refined outcomes in a safe, supportive environment, Dr. Pennington provides a level of care that sets her apart in the field of facial plastic surgery.
Dr. Pennington is known for her deep-plane facelifts and structural neck lifts, combining meticulous surgical techniques with an artistic eye to deliver results that are natural, refreshed, and timeless. She travels globally to collaborate with other top surgeons, ensuring her patients always receive the most advanced care available.
When she’s not in surgery, Dr. Pennington loves spending time with her two children and dogs at one of their many community investment projects around Shreveport. Her husband, a local anesthesiologist, works closely with her to create optimal post-operative care protocols.
Deep Plane Facelift
Who is a Good Candidate for a Deep Plane Facelift?
A good candidate for a deep plane facelift is someone without excessive loose skin or numerous fine lines and wrinkles. In certain rare cases, a subcutaneous dissection may be helpful to improve skin texture, but this isn’t commonly needed.
Be sure to share any history of facial surgeries or non-surgical treatments with Dr. Pennington. These details won’t disqualify you, but they are important for planning the most effective approach and achieving the best results.
If you use nicotine products, it's essential to be completely nicotine-free for at least three months before surgery. Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, which reduces blood flow to your tissues. This blood flow is vital for healing and recovery after your procedure.
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Deep Plane Facelift
Where will my deep plane facelift surgery be performed?
Your deep plane facelift will be performed by Dr. Pennington at our private surgical center, located on Line Avenue in Shreveport. She personally designed this space with your safety, comfort, and overall care in mind. The facility features a fully equipped operating room, a specialized procedure suite, and private areas for both pre- and post-operative recovery. We are proud to be accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), a recognition that signifies excellence in patient safety, cleanliness, and surgical standards. It’s a privilege to care for you in an environment where every detail is centered on delivering the best possible experience and results.