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Beverly Hills Facial Rejuvenation, Led by an Artist and Surgeon

Dr. Sarmela Sunder, MD is a double board-certified, fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills. Trained at Johns Hopkins, Cornell, and Stanford, where she served as Chief Resident, she also holds the rare distinction of training under two past presidents of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. For more than a decade, her practice has focused exclusively on facial rejuvenation, drawing patients from around the world for natural, refined results. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Sunder to discuss your goals.

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What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?

A deep plane facelift is an advanced technique that works beneath the SMAS, the layer of tissue and muscle that supports the structure of the face. It repositions the deeper facial tissue and releases the ligaments holding sagging structures in place, so the cheeks, jawline, and jowls move together as one unit. Because tension is placed at this deeper layer instead of the skin, incisions can close without pulling, which may support a smoother, more natural result as healing progresses.

Benefits of a Deep Plane Facelift

  • Targets the deeper facial tissue, which may create more defined, longer-lasting contours than a skin-only lift
  • Can soften the appearance of jowls and nasolabial folds without looking overly tight
  • Can help address fat shifts in the cheeks that contribute to jowling
  • Creates balance across the whole face, including the midface and neck
  • Tension-free closure that may support smoother scarring
  • May improve the transition between the jawline and neck

Am I a Good Candidate for a Deep Plane Facelift?

Good candidates are generally healthy adults bothered by sagging in the mid and lower face, deep nasolabial folds, or a loss of jawline definition that non-surgical treatments no longer address. Non-smokers with realistic expectations about the outcome tend to be the most satisfied with their results. A consultation with Dr. Sunder is the best way to determine whether this technique, or a different facelift approach, fits your anatomy and goals.

Doctor Sarmela Sunder

Why Choose Dr. Sunder for a Deep Plane Facelift?

Patients choose Sunder Plastic Surgery for a surgical plan built around their individual anatomy and the attentiveness of a boutique practice. Dr. Sunder's technique favors natural movement and proportion over a stretched, overdone look.

Your Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Sunder will examine your facial anatomy and skin quality, discuss your goals, and determine whether a deep plane facelift or another technique best suits your face. She will also cover what to expect for anesthesia, incisions, and recovery, and this is a good time to ask questions and review before and after photos.

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost of a deep plane facelift varies based on the extent of correction needed, whether additional procedures are combined with it, and the details of your surgical plan. Pricing is discussed in full during your consultation with Dr. Sunder, once your goals and anatomy have been evaluated.

What to Expect During Deep Plane Facelift Surgery

Anesthesia and Incisions

Deep plane facelift surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Sunder places incisions along the hairline and natural contours around the ear, designed to keep scarring hidden as it heals.

Repositioning the Deeper Tissue

Working below the SMAS layer, Dr. Sunder releases the retaining ligaments that hold sagging tissue in place and lifts the cheeks, jawline, and jowls as a single connected unit, rather than pulling the skin alone.

Closing with Minimal Tension

Because the lift happens at the deeper tissue layer, the skin can be redraped and closed without excess pulling. This tension-free closure is designed to support smoother healing and a more natural result.

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Deep Plane Facelift Recovery

Most patients experience swelling and bruising during the first one to two weeks after surgery, with initial results becoming visible as this subsides. Because a deep plane facelift addresses deeper facial layers, some swelling can take longer to resolve than with a more superficial lift.

Dr. Sunder will provide specific aftercare instructions covering wound care and activity restrictions to support a smooth recovery. Most patients return to work and light activity within two to three weeks, though strenuous exercise should wait longer.

Deep Plane Facelift Results

As swelling fully resolves over the following months, the results of a deep plane facelift continue to refine, revealing smoother contours through the cheeks, jawline, and neck. Results are designed to be long-lasting and may outlast results from more superficial facelift techniques, since the lift occurs at the deeper tissue layer instead of the skin alone.

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Complementary Procedures

  • Mid-Facelift: Targets hollowing and folds around the eyes and mouth for a refreshed midface.
  • Neck Lift: Tightens the neck and jawline for a defined profile that complements facelift results.
  • Eyelid Lift: Addresses sagging or puffy eyelids that a facelift alone does not correct.
  • Rhinoplasty: Refines the shape of the nose to bring balance to a rejuvenated face.
  • Chin Augmentation: Adds definition to the chin for a more proportionate profile.
  • Non-Surgical Treatments: Injectables and skin treatments that can help maintain results between procedures.

Deep Plane Facelift FAQs

Will a deep plane facelift make me look like a different person?

How long does deep plane facelift surgery take?

Is a deep plane facelift painful?

What are the risks of a deep plane facelift?

Can a deep plane facelift be combined with other procedures?

At what age should I consider a deep plane facelift?

Does insurance cover a deep plane facelift?

Will a deep plane facelift make me look like a different person?

No. The goal is to reposition sagging tissue back to where it naturally sat, not add or remove features. Most patients are told they look rested and refreshed.

How long does deep plane facelift surgery take?

Surgical time depends on the extent of correction and whether other procedures are performed at the same time. Dr. Sunder will give you a more specific estimate during your consultation.

Is a deep plane facelift painful?

Discomfort is generally manageable with prescribed medication. Most patients describe the sensation as tightness or pressure in the days following surgery.

What are the risks of a deep plane facelift?

As with any surgical procedure, risks can include infection, bleeding, scarring, or changes in sensation. Choosing an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon can help reduce these risks, and Dr. Sunder will review them in detail during your consultation.

Can a deep plane facelift be combined with other procedures?

Yes. It is often paired with procedures like eyelid surgery, neck lift, or fat transfer for more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

At what age should I consider a deep plane facelift?

There is no single ideal age. Candidacy depends more on the degree of sagging and facial laxity than on age alone, which is why a personalized evaluation matters more than a number.

Does insurance cover a deep plane facelift?

No. A deep plane facelift is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not typically covered by insurance. Financing options are often available through the practice.

Take the Next Step with Sunder Plastic Surgery

If sagging skin, jowls, or a tired-looking jawline have you avoiding the mirror, a deep plane facelift with Sunder Plastic Surgery may be the solution you are looking for. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Sunder in Beverly Hills to find out if this advanced technique is the right fit for your face.

This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Outcomes, risks, and suitability vary from patient to patient.

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