Trust. Experience. Results.
Deep Plane Facelift in Reston, VA
Serving patients in Ashburn, Leesburg, Brambleton, Fairfax, Arlington and Northern Virginia
Trust. Experience. Results.
Serving patients in Ashburn, Leesburg, Brambleton, Fairfax, Arlington and Northern Virginia
Beyond The Surface
We often tell our patients that the goal of a facelift isn’t to make you look twenty again. It’s to make you look like you’ve been taking very good care of yourself. For many patients here in Reston, facial aging starts to make itself known with a feeling that your face is starting to settle or feel heavy. You’ve worked hard, whether in your career or raising a family, and it’s only natural that your facial structure reflects that.
At Austin-Weston, we use the deep plane facelift because it’s one of the best ways to address those changes. By working with the deeper structures of the face, we shore up the foundation. It’s a bit like fixing a house from the inside out. When the foundation is solid, the skin sits naturally, leaving you as a refreshed version of the person you’ve always been.
The Science of Structural Refinement
The deep plane facelift technique is a significant step forward in facial plastic surgery. To understand why it works, you have to look at the deep tissues. Your face is held in place by key retaining ligaments that anchor your anatomy. Over time, these anchors stretch, and the malar fat pad in your cheek begins to slide down toward the jawline.
During the deep plane procedure, our facial plastic surgeons gently release these anchors. We move the skin and muscle together as one unit, which we call a composite flap. Because we aren't pulling the surface skin away from the underlying tissues, we preserve the natural blood supply. This allows us to lift the entire foundation vertically. It’s a more stable way to restore your natural contours without that windswept appearance.
Defining The Modern Silhouette
A deep plane facelift offers a sense of balance that other techniques can miss. When we talk during your consultation in Reston, we look for the specific ways this approach can make your daily life a bit better:
Deep Plane vs. Traditional Facelift: The Technical Divide
Choosing the right approach is never about finding the best surgery, but about finding the one that fits your facial anatomy and goals. At Austin-Weston, we routinely perform both traditional SMAS and Deep Plane techniques because each serves a different purpose.
The traditional facelift focuses on the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS layer). In this procedure, the skin is gently separated from the underlying muscle. We then tighten the SMAS layer itself, which provides a reliable lift for the jawline and lower face. This is often an excellent choice for patients with moderate sagging skin who don't necessarily have a heavy mid-face. It offers a beautiful, refreshed version of the self with a focus on smoothing the surface and defining the jaw.
The deep plane technique is designed for the patient who needs a more significant structural reset, particularly in the cheeks and mid-face. Rather than separating the skin from the muscle, we move them together as a composite flap. By releasing key retaining ligaments, we can lift the deeper structures that have descended over time. This approach is particularly helpful for resolving deep nasolabial folds and heavy jowls without putting any tension on the skin itself. It’s less about tightening and more about repositioning the foundation.
Identifying The Right Intervention
Surgery is a big decision, and I’m always upfront about who will truly benefit. You might be a good candidate if you’ve noticed:
We also look at your general health. If you’ve had significant weight loss or rapid weight loss, that can change the skin quality, and we will adjust your surgical plan to account for that.
Mapping Your Unique Blueprint
We want the initial consultation to feel more like a conversation between friends. We’ll ask you to point out exactly what bothers you. Our job is to listen and then explain the why behind what’s happening.
We’ll look at the deeper structures of your face and the neck muscles. We won't rush you. We’ll talk about recovery time and whether other aesthetic treatments might be a better fit first. We want you to feel completely comfortable with the path we choose.
On the day of your facelift procedure, you’ll be cared for in our private, accredited center here in Reston. We’ve intentionally kept our practice private so we can focus entirely on you, away from the noise of a large hospital.
The procedure is usually done under general anesthesia, so you can rest comfortably. Your plastic surgeon will carefully work through the deep plane, repositioning the underlying tissues with precision. The process usually takes four to six hours. Afterward, many of our patients choose to stay in our overnight recovery suite, where our nurses can look after you, and I can stop by the next morning to see how you’re doing.
Because the deep plane facelift preserves the natural blood supply, most patients find the process is gentler than they expected, but it still requires a committed recovery period. This is the time to let others take care of you so your body can focus on the healing process.
For the first week, you should have a family member or friend stay with you to help with meals and household tasks. You’ll need to avoid any heavy lifting, even something as light as a laundry basket or a small pet, as this can increase blood pressure and lead to complications. It’s also vital to avoid strenuous activity or bending over at the waist. We’ll prescribe pain medications and give simple instructions to help the swelling subside.
We also ask that you strictly avoid smoking or nicotine products, as they restrict blood flow and can significantly hinder post-operative care and wound healing. If you must go outside, stay in the shade. The skin is very sensitive after a surgical procedure, and sun exposure can lead to permanent pigment changes or thickened scars. A wide-brimmed hat and total sun avoidance are your best friends during these few weeks.
By the end of the first month, the majority of swelling has resolved. This is typically when you can return to the gym, resume lifting, and get back to your full professional schedule.
You’ll see the biggest change once the initial swelling goes down, but your final deep plane facelift results will continue to settle beautifully over a few months. Because we didn't put tension on the skin, you won't have that "surprised" look.
The best compliment my patients receive is when people tell them they look rested or refreshed, but can’t quite put their finger on why. That is the goal: it should age naturally with you for the next decade or more.
Complexity Defines The Commitment
A deep plane facelift is a complex surgical procedure, and the cost reflects the time and expertise required. Because we have our own private center, we can offer all-inclusive pricing that covers your surgery, anesthesia, and facility fees. We’ll give you a clear, honest quote after your consultation so you can make a decision that feels right for you.
The Gold Standard Of NoVA
Austin-Weston has been a part of the Northern Virginia community since 1978. Our five board-certified plastic surgeons work as a family. We consult with each other on every case because we believe "five heads are better than one."
Whether you’re interested in an extended deep plane facelift or neck rejuvenation, we are here to provide a safe, honest environment. We want to make sure you feel supported every step of the way, from the first time you walk through our doors in Reston to your final follow-up.
In the hands of an experienced surgeon who knows the "roadmap" of the face, it is very safe. We take every precaution to protect the facial nerve and ensure a smooth recovery period. Our private center is designed to minimize the risks of a traditional hospital setting.
We like to say it lasts forever, and it lasts for one minute. You will always look better than if you hadn’t had the surgery, but your body will continue to age naturally from that new, refreshed starting point. Typically, results last 10 to 15 years.
Because there is no tension on the skin, the incisions heal very well. Most are tucked into the natural contours around the ear and hairline, making them very difficult to see once the swelling subsides.
Yes, though we usually recommend waiting for fillers to partially dissolve so we can see your true facial structure. During your initial consultation, we will look at how previous aesthetic treatments have affected your tissues.
We ask that you wait at least four to six weeks before using harsh hair chemicals. The incisions near the hairline need to be fully closed and matured to ensure no irritation or nerve injury occurs during the process.
Almost always. Most of our deep plane patients also benefit from neck rejuvenation. We often tighten the platysma muscle to ensure the jawline and neck look as smooth and balanced as the rest of the face.
Most patients describe the feeling as tight rather than painful. We provide pain medications to manage any discomfort during the first few weeks, but the deep plane technique is generally well-tolerated because it preserves the nerves and blood supply.
If you have a wedding or a gala, I recommend scheduling your surgery at least three months in advance. While you’ll look ready at two weeks, it takes a few months for the very last of the residual swelling to vanish and for your natural results to fully settle.
Our five, board-certified plastic surgeons have over 100 years of combined experience & work together in our dedicated, luxurious center providing combined knowledge on all procedures. Schedule your consultation today to learn how our surgeons can guide you on your journey to aesthetic harmony.
