What makes it a "deep plane" facelift?

Rather than tightening the skin or the SMAS in isolation, a deep plane facelift releases key retaining structures and repositions the deeper facial support layer together with the skin above it, as one connected unit, along a more natural vector.

What is recovery like after facelift surgery?

Many ease back into routine over a few weeks, depending on the patient, with more strenuous activity resuming gradually. You receive clear aftercare and attentive follow-up throughout healing.

How is a natural-looking facelift planned?

Techniques are selected to support the deeper facial tissues and planned around your features, so the result refreshes the face while keeping it unmistakably your own.

How much does a facelift cost in Austin?

The quote depends on whether a facelift is performed alone or combined with a neck lift, the technique your anatomy calls for, and anesthesia and facility fees. A written, personalized quote follows your consultation, and financing is available for qualified patients through CareCredit, PatientFi, and Cherry.

Lower face and jawline portrait for the facelift page at Plastic Surgery of Austin

Facial Rejuvenation

Deep Plane Facelift in Austin

A facelift addresses the lower face as it ages — softening jowls and restoring a defined jawline when skin and deeper tissues begin to descend. For many patients, Dr. Kaimana Chow's preferred approach is an extended deep plane preservation facelift, which repositions the deeper facial support layer rather than relying on skin tension alone, supporting the cheeks and lower face for a result that ages gracefully. It remains a cornerstone of facial surgery for patients across the Austin area.

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The Short Answer

A facelift repositions and supports the deeper tissues of the lower face to refine jowls and restore jawline definition — planned so the result looks refreshed and natural rather than tight. It does not resurface the skin or treat the upper face, and it is often paired with a neck lift for balance.

What It Addresses

Jowling and loss of definition along the jawline
Descent of the cheek and lower-face tissues
Folds around the mouth that deepen as tissue descends

What It Does Not Address

Skin surface texture, fine lines, and sun damage — these call for skin-focused treatments
The eyes and brow, which are addressed by eyelid or brow procedures
Neck laxity and banding — addressed by a neck lift, frequently combined

Overview

Natural rejuvenation of the lower face

As the lower face ages, jowls form and the jawline softens. A deep plane facelift restores support to the cheeks and lower face by repositioning tissue at a deeper layer for a refreshed, natural result — the goal is to look like a rested version of yourself, not someone else.

Jowling

Sagging along the jawline that blurs the lower-face contour is refined.

Jawline Definition

Support is restored to re-establish a cleaner, more defined jawline.

Deep Plane Repositioning

The deeper facial support layer and overlying skin are repositioned together, rather than tightening skin alone.

Natural Result

Refinement is planned to refresh the face while keeping it unmistakably your own.

At a Glance

Procedure Snapshot

This procedure centers on lower-face aging, jowling, and jawline definition, planned around your individual anatomy and goals.

What is a Facelift?

A facelift, medically termed as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure crafted to counteract the evident signs of aging on the face and neck. This procedure focuses on addressing issues like sagging skin, pronounced creases, jowls, and lax facial muscles, aiming to rejuvenate the appearance by creating a smoother, tighter, and more youthful look. Through the lifting and firming of underlying tissues, a facelift can deliver enduring outcomes and a naturally rejuvenated appearance.

As individuals age, they tend to notice changes in three common areas. Firstly, the mid-face loses fat volume gradually, resulting in a sunken appearance. Secondly, the regions surrounding the nasolabial folds can begin to sag, creating a tired and drooping look. Lastly, jowls may develop along the jawline.

Modern techniques now offer a facelift that is refined, subtle, and revitalizing. Our primary objective for clients is to steer clear of the past issues associated with a visibly tightened or "pulled" appearance that once affected the field of plastic surgery. Dr. Chow believes that a facelift should enhance your innate, age-appropriate beauty and illuminate your natural features.

What can a facelift accomplish?

Facelifts with Dr. Chow

Achieving a natural-looking facelift outcome involves a blend of skill, artistry, and the appropriate techniques. Dr. Chow combines these elements to deliver personalized and beautiful results that enhance your unique facial features. He takes great care to minimize scarring by discreetly placing incisions within the natural folds of the ear and along the hairline, ensuring they remain inconspicuous.

Who is a good candidate for a facelift?

Good emotional and physical health
Non-smoker
Free from any major medical issues
Good skin elasticity
Sound facial bone structure
Good blood pressure control
Realistic expectations

Clients looking for best facelift in Austin should exhibit the following qualities:

What a Facelift Addresses

A facelift focuses on the lower face — the jowls, the softened jawline, and the descent of cheek and lower-face tissues that come with aging. By repositioning and supporting these tissues, it restores a cleaner contour and a refreshed appearance.

Dr. Chow's Deep Plane Approach

Rather than tightening the skin or the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) as an isolated layer, an extended deep plane preservation facelift releases key retaining structures beneath the skin and repositions the deeper facial support layer and the skin above it together, as one connected unit, along a more natural vector. Incisions are placed discreetly within the hairline and the natural contours of the ear. This approach is designed to restore youthful structure while preserving a natural, unpulled appearance — a more advanced alternative to techniques that rely on skin tension or an isolated SMAS lift alone.

Facelift vs. Neck Lift

The two are closely related and often combined. A deep plane facelift refines the lower face and jawline, while a deep neck lift specifically addresses neck laxity, banding, and the jaw-to-neck transition. Many patients benefit from both; during your consultation, Dr. Chow reviews whether a deep neck lift would complement your result.

A Natural, Lasting Approach

The aim is natural rejuvenation that refreshes rather than transforms. The "preservation" concept means the goal is not to over-dissect or over-tighten, but to restore support where aging has weakened or shifted the facial framework, for a result that looks organic and ages gracefully. Recovery varies depending on the patient, with clear aftercare and attentive follow-up throughout. Read more in our overview of the deep plane facelift and neck lift .

How Long Do Results Last?

Because a deep plane facelift repositions the deeper facial support layer rather than relying on skin tension alone, results can remain meaningful for many years, and current research is encouraging about the durability of the technique. For a closer look at the longevity research, the evidence on outcomes, and what a deep-plane face-and-neck plan typically costs in Austin, see our guide to deep plane facelift longevity and Austin cost .

Considerations

Who This Procedure May Be For

Jowling along the jawline
Loss of definition in the lower face and jaw
Descent of the cheeks and lower-face tissues
A tired or aged lower-face appearance despite good skincare
A desire for natural, structural rejuvenation rather than a pulled or dramatic change

When to Wait or Consider Alternatives

When health conditions or smoking need attention first — preparation is discussed candidly at consultation.
When early aging changes may respond to non-surgical options, those are presented before surgery is.
When the main concern is skin quality rather than tissue descent, resurfacing approaches may serve better.

Planning

Decisions Made at Your Consultation

Which anatomical changes drive your concerns — skin laxity, deeper tissue descent, or both
Whether a facelift alone or a combined face-and-neck plan creates balance
How the deeper tissue layer will be supported, the focus of the deep plane approach Dr. Chow discusses in his patient guides
Incision placement around the ear and hairline
A realistic recovery and social-downtime timeline for your calendar

Healing

Recovery, Step by Step

First days
Swelling and bruising are most noticeable in the first days. Most patients rest with the head elevated, take short walks at home, and attend an early follow-up visit.
First weeks
Bruising fades and swelling settles progressively; many patients feel comfortable in social settings within a few weeks, depending on the person. Strenuous activity waits until cleared.
Months ahead
Residual swelling resolves gradually and incision lines continue to mature and fade. The result refines over several months.

Scars and How They Mature

Incisions are typically placed in the natural creases around the ear and into the hairline, where they tend to be least noticeable. They usually mature from pink to pale, fine lines over many months; placement is reviewed with you in detail at consultation.

When Results Appear and How Long They Last

When results appear: Much of the improvement appears as early swelling and bruising fade, with continued refinement over several months.

How long they may last: A facelift does not stop aging, but its structural changes are long-lasting — the face continues to age naturally from a refreshed starting point.

Risks and Limitations

Facelift surgery is elective, and a candid review of its risks is part of deciding well. Dr. Chow discusses your individual risk profile with you at consultation.

General surgical risks such as bleeding, infection, and reaction to anesthesia
Temporary numbness of the facial skin while nerves recover
Nerve-related changes affecting facial movement, which are uncommon and usually temporary
Collection of blood under the skin (hematoma), which may need prompt treatment
Visible scarring or hairline changes near the incisions, and occasional asymmetry that can lead to revision

Cost and Financing

Facelift pricing depends on the surgical plan, which is individual. A written quote is provided after your consultation, once the approach is defined.

What Shapes Your Quote

The extent of the plan — a facelift alone or combined with a neck lift or other procedures
Technique and operative time your anatomy calls for
Surgeon, anesthesia, and accredited-facility fees
Aftercare and follow-up visits

Financing for qualified patients is available through partners such as CareCredit, PatientFi, and Cherry.

Explore financing options

Your Surgeon

Why Patients Choose Dr. Chow

Dr. Kaimana Chow is a Harvard-trained plastic surgeon, board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, whose practice is devoted to cosmetic surgery. Facial surgery is a central focus of his work — he writes in depth about the deep plane approach in his published patient guides, and plans each facelift around the deeper anatomy so results look supported, not pulled.

Meet Dr. Kaimana Chow

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

A deep plane facelift focuses on the lower face — refining jowls, restoring jawline definition, and repositioning descended cheek and lower-face tissue at a deeper layer for a refreshed, natural result.