From the Corner Office: December 2025
A Modern Approach to Facial Rejuvenation: Understanding the Benefits of the Deep-Plane Facelift and the Direct Neck Lift
Facial aging is a uniquely personal experience. For some, the earliest changes appear as softening along the jawline or sagging in the cheeks. For others, the most noticeable changes occur in the neck, leading to looseness beneath the chin or visible vertical banding. With advances in facial plastic surgery, patients now have access to highly specialized procedures designed to address specific areas of concern with exceptional precision. Two of the most widely requested options to treat facial and/or neck laxity that I routinely perform are the deep-plane facelift and the direct neck lift—each offering distinct advantages for different needs, anatomy, and aesthetic goals.
Rather than focusing on which procedure is “better,” it’s more helpful to understand what each one is uniquely designed to accomplish. Both procedures can restore confidence and create meaningful, natural-looking rejuvenation when performed artistically and skillfully. Since there is no such thing as the one perfect procedure for all patients, each of these techniques has their strengths and weaknesses. The important take-away is to figure out what procedure is best suited to address your aesthetic concerns while respecting your personal constraints.
In this month’s newsletter I will focus on the deep-plane facelift. In January, I will conclude my discussion and comparison of these two procedures by highlighting the direct neck lift.
The Deep-Plane Facelift: A Comprehensive, Natural Rejuvenation
The deep-plane facelift is an advanced surgical technique developed to restore youthful contours in the midface, jawline, and neck by addressing the deeper structures where true aging occurs. It is done in an outpatient surgical suite under general anesthesia and generally takes me about four and a half hours to perform. The incisions are hidden under the chin and bilaterally in the temporal hair, within the intricate contours of the ear and continuing just inside the posterior hairline. I work diligently to close these incisions meticulously, making their appearance often difficult to find once fully healed. Instead of tightening the skin alone, this method repositions the deeper SMAS layer and associated ligaments, allowing the face to be lifted from its foundation and the neck tightened in continuity with the face. This approach creates a naturally refreshed appearance that preserves facial expression and avoids the overly pulled or windswept look associated with older techniques.
Strengths of the Deep-Plane Facelift:
- Restores natural, three-dimensional facial contours by lifting and repositioning deeper tissues. This technique recreates youthful cheek volume, reduces the appearance of marionette folds and jowls, and sharpens the jawline—all while maintaining natural movement and expression.
- Enhances both the face and neck because the deeper anatomical layers of the lower face and neck are connected. Repositioning them simultaneously creates a smooth transition from face to neck, while tightening the neck creates a smooth, aesthetically pleasing neck contour.
- Creates long-lasting, graceful results: Deep-plane repositioning ages more naturally because the lift works with structural tissues instead of relying on simply pulling the skin. Patients often enjoy results that remain soft and youthful for many years. However, since the excision of excess neck skin occurs along the posterior hairline, the most inelastic central neck skin is left in place. This, along with the fact that only the upper half of the central neck muscle bands can be accessed and sutured together, may affect the longevity of the neck contour. The best predictor of a well-contoured, long lasting outcome, aside from the obvious well-performed deep-plane facelift, is the elastic quality of the neck skin at the time of surgery.
- Reduced skin tension and improved scar quality. Since the lift is supported by deep tissues, the skin lays smoothly without pulling, minimizing scar visibility and reducing the chance of excess tightness around the ears.
Who Is Ideally Suited for a Deep-Plane Facelift?
This procedure may be ideal for individuals who:
- Notice sagging of their cheeks, jawline, and neck
- Have moderate or advanced facial aging
- Are of ideal body weight and in good general health
- Want comprehensive improvement rather than isolated correction
- Prefer a deeply structural rejuvenation that results in a beautiful, natural facial and neck appearance
For those seeking an all-in-one contour enhancement of the lower face and neck, the deep-plane facelift provides a sophisticated and powerful solution. When performed as a stand-alone procedure, or as part of a comprehensive facial rejuvenation plan, the results are beautiful, dramatic and totally natural appearing. To determine if this procedure is appropriate to address your facial aging concerns, I recommend that you schedule a consultation with me so that we can discuss a treatment plan that best serves your aesthetic concerns and constraints.
As the year 2025 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank my staff for their dedication to superior patient care. It takes a team of skilled professionals to deliver the consistently high-quality care that our practice is known for. I am proud of the work that we do and I know that our patients appreciate it as well. I also want to thank all of you for trusting us to keep you looking naturally more beautiful and handsome. Without the community’s patronage, none of this would matter.
I wish all of you a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a healthy, safe and wonderful New Year.
Seth A. Yellin, MD, FACS
Founder & Director, Marietta Facial Plastic Surgery, Laser & Aesthetics Center
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Cold Weather Skin Care
As an aesthetician, one of the most frequent conversations I have with clients as we move into winter is about adjusting skincare routines to match the season. When the air becomes colder and drier, your skin works harder to maintain moisture, so continuing with a summer routine often leads to flakiness, tightness, and irritation.
During winter, I always recommend swapping out lightweight gels or oil-free moisturizers for richer, more occlusive formulas. Ingredients like ceramides, squalane, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid help reinforce the skin barrier and hold onto hydration. This doesn’t mean your routine has to feel heavy, just more protective.
Cleansing is another area that could benefit from winter-time adjustments. Exfoliating cleansers can be too stripping this time of year, so I encourage clients to switch to gentle or creamy cleansers that support the skin’s natural oils rather than stripping them.
Finally, exfoliation should be gentle. Over-exfoliating is one of the biggest winter mistakes I see. Routine monthly facials & gentle enzyme exfoliants can help keep dead skin from building up and clogging pores.
Winter skincare is all about balance: nourishing the skin deeply while still supporting cell turnover and clarity. With a few simple swaps, your skin can stay healthy, glowing, and comfortable throughout the season. If you have any questions about your winter skincare routine, we are here to help. Call to schedule a consultation with an aesthetician to see how we can keep you radiant throughout the season!
Christi Warren, Medical Aesthetician & Licensed Laser Practitioner
