Facial
Deep Plane Facelift
An advanced lift that releases and repositions the deeper facial layers for a powerful, natural result.
Quick Facts
- Procedure time: Usually about 4 hours
- Anesthesia: General anesthesia
- Clinic stay: Overnight stay
- Recovery: Around 2–3 weeks
- Back to social life: About 3 weeks
- Final result: Settles over several months
- Price: Determined after consultation
- Minimum age: From 18 years
What it is
When facial aging affects the deeper layers of the face, surface-level treatments or simple skin tightening are often not enough. A deep plane facelift is an advanced surgical technique designed to restore youthful facial contours by repositioning the deeper structures beneath the skin. A deep plane facelift releases the ligaments that anchor the face and lifts the deeper layer, including the muscle and fat of the cheek, as a single unit. Rather than tightening tissue, it repositions it upward to where it sat in youth, restoring midface fullness as well as the jawline.
Because the lift comes from deeper structures moved as one block, the skin is never under tension, which gives a very natural result and addresses the midface and folds more completely than a standard lift.
It is a more advanced procedure that suits moderate to advanced aging and is often the choice for restoring cheek position and softening deep folds. It carries the demands of deeper dissection, so surgeon experience matters. All surgery carries risks, and results vary.
Understanding Deep Plane Anatomy
Facial aging is not only caused by loose skin. Over time, deeper facial tissues descend, facial retaining ligaments create tethering points, fat compartments shift, and the face gradually loses youthful shape and definition.
The SMAS layer, the deeper support layer of the face, plays a central role in facelift surgery. In a true deep plane approach, selected retaining structures are released so the deeper tissues can be repositioned with less reliance on skin tension.
Important anatomical structures that must be carefully understood include:
- zygomatic retaining ligaments
- masseteric ligaments
- mandibular retaining ligaments
- cervical retaining structures
- midface fat compartments
- platysma and deeper neck anatomy
- facial nerve branches
- vascular supply to the skin and soft tissues
This anatomical understanding is essential. If deeper tissues are not properly mobilized and repositioned, the result may be limited, less durable, or dependent on excessive skin tension.
Why Technique Matters
Deep plane facelift surgery is technically demanding, and many procedures labeled as “deep plane” are not true deep plane facelifts. Results depend heavily on diagnosis, anatomy, surgical planning, and execution.
What Is the First Step?
The first step is a detailed consultation at Skulpturkliniken with Dr. Matteo Amoroso. During the consultation, Dr. Amoroso will review your medical history, assess your facial anatomy, evaluate skin quality, examine the jawline and neck, and discuss your concerns and goals.
You will receive clear information about:
- which technique may be most appropriate
- what result can realistically be achieved
- whether additional procedures may be recommended
- how the surgery is performed
- recovery and aftercare
- possible risks and complications
- pricing and what is included
If surgery is appropriate, an individualized surgical plan will be created.
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
Deep plane facelift surgery is performed in a surgical setting with an experienced medical team. The procedure may be performed under general anesthesia or, in selected cases, local anesthesia with sedation, depending on the extent of surgery, patient preference, and medical safety.
Incisions are carefully placed around the hairline, temples, ears, and sometimes under the chin. These incisions are designed to be as discreet as possible while allowing proper access to the deeper facial and neck structures.
During surgery, the deeper tissues are released and repositioned. Excess skin is then removed without placing excessive tension on the skin. If needed, the procedure may be combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, fat grafting, or skin-quality treatments.
The length of surgery depends on the complexity of the plan and whether additional procedures are performed.
Deep Plane Facelift Recovery
Recovery is an important part of the final result.
At Skulpturkliniken, postoperative care is structured to support safe healing, reduce anxiety, and ensure that recovery is closely followed. Patients receive clear instructions, scheduled follow-up visits, and direct access to Dr. Matteo Amoroso and the medical team.
Recovery after a deep plane facelift requires patience. Swelling, bruising, tightness, tenderness, and temporary numbness are expected during the early healing phase. Most patients need time away from work and social activities during the first weeks. Many patients begin to feel more socially comfortable after two to three weeks, although this varies depending on the extent of surgery and individual healing.
The final result continues to refine over several months as swelling decreases, tissues settle, and scars mature.
To support healing after facelift surgery:
- keep your head elevated during the early recovery period
- avoid strenuous activity until cleared by Dr. Matteo Amoroso
- follow incision-care instructions carefully
- avoid smoking
- avoid excessive sun exposure on healing scars
- stay hydrated and eat nutritious food
- attend all follow-up appointments
- be patient while swelling gradually improves
General Recovery Timeline
First Week
Swelling, bruising, tightness, and discomfort are usually most noticeable. Rest, head elevation, light walking, and careful adherence to postoperative instructions are important.
Weeks 2–3
Bruising and swelling begin to improve. Sutures may be removed according to the surgical plan. Some patients may feel comfortable returning to light social or professional activities.
Weeks 4–6
Most patients gradually resume more normal routines, although strenuous activity should only be restarted after medical clearance.
3–6 Months
Facial contours continue to refine. Scars mature and become less noticeable over time.
6–12 Months
The final result becomes increasingly visible as tissues fully settle and scar maturation continues.
Results: what it can and cannot achieve
- Lift the descended midface tissues
- Soften nasolabial folds
- Reduce jowls
- Sharpen the jawline
- Improve neck and lower-face contour
- Reduce Plastisma band
- Overall create a natural and long-lasting rejuvenation in the mid-lower face and neck area.
- A refreshed appearance without an operated look.
It does not lift the brow or treat the eyelids, and it does not improve skin surface quality or pigmentation. It does not stop future aging.
Possible risks and complications
A deep plane facelift is generally safe in experienced hands, but the deeper dissection carries the risks of facelift surgery. Possible risks include:
- Bleeding or hematoma
- Infection
- Temporary or, rarely, permanent facial nerve weakness
- Prolonged swelling or numbness
- Changes in skin sensation
- Visible or widened scars
- Skin healing problems, especially in smokers
- Asymmetry
The deeper plane places the technique closer to facial nerve branches, so surgeon experience is important. Smoking greatly raises healing risk, so smoking cessation is essential.
Who it suits
An SMAS facelift may suit patients with moderate facial aging. The average age range for a facelift is 45 – 60 years old. It is especially suitable for patients who:
- Have sagging cheeks, jowls, and a softening jawline.
- Loss of volume: As your face loses fat, the skin droops. The more fat that is lost, the more pronounced the folds and lines are. Fat can be taken from various areas and added during your facelift to increase volume. Restoring volume in this way can improve facial proportions, creating a more balanced, youthful appearance.
- Want a natural, lasting result rather than a temporary fix
- Are comfortable with a recovery of two to three weeks
- Are in good general health with realistic expectations and do not smoke or can stop before and after surgery
Preserving what makes you, you
Real-time facial nerve monitoring during face and neck lift surgery
An extra layer of information. An extra layer of safety.
At Skulpturkliniken, your safety is our highest priority.
Advanced facial rejuvenation surgery requires precision, detailed anatomical knowledge and careful surgical judgement. During selected face and neck lift procedures, we add another layer of intraoperative awareness with NIM Vital™ facial nerve monitoring.
We are proud to be the first plastic surgery clinic in Sweden, and among a very small number of plastic surgery centres in Europe, to integrate NIM Vital™, an advanced intraoperative facial nerve monitoring system, into facial rejuvenation surgery.
What is NIM Vital™ facial nerve monitoring?
An additional sense during surgery
NIM Vital™ is an advanced intraoperative facial nerve monitoring system.
During face and neck lift surgery, small electrodes monitor electrical activity in facial muscles controlled by branches of the facial nerve. The system provides the surgeon with real-time visual and audible feedback while working within delicate facial anatomy.
When needed, nerve stimulation can also provide additional information when the identity of a structure is uncertain.
NIM Vital™ does not replace surgical expertise. It adds another layer of real-time information, complementing what the surgeon can see and feel with functional information during surgery.
Why facial nerve monitoring matters
Protecting expression. Supporting precision.
The facial nerve controls movements that are fundamental to expression, including smiling, closing the eyes, raising the eyebrows and moving the lips.
Advanced facelift techniques, like deep-plane and extended sub-SMAS facelift surgery, involve dissection within anatomical layers that may lie close to delicate facial nerve branches.
NIM Vital™ provides additional functional information while the operation is taking place, giving the surgeon:
- Real-time information about facial muscle activity
- Immediate feedback during delicate dissection
- Additional information when anatomy is uncertain
- An opportunity to reassess and adapt the surgical approach when needed
- Greater awareness beyond what can be seen and felt alone
An extra layer of information. An extra layer of safety.
Why Skulpturkliniken uses NIM Vital™
Because safety comes from multiple layers working together.
Our approach combines:
- Surgical experience and detailed anatomical knowledge
- Individual surgical planning and clinical judgement
- Meticulous technique and controlled dissection
- Dedicated instruments for specific stages of surgery
- Real-time facial nerve monitoring
NIM Vital™ adds another layer by providing functional information during the operation itself.
If meaningful technology can give our surgical team additional information that may contribute to safer, more controlled surgery, we believe our patients should benefit from it.
Because your safety is our highest priority.
Advanced technology. Expert judgement.
NIM Vital™ does not replace experience, anatomical knowledge or surgical judgement.
It provides another layer of information when every detail matters.
Natural harmony. Surgical excellence. Safety without compromise.
The science behind NIM Vital™
A 2026 prospective comparative study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery evaluated Nerve Integrity Monitoring during extended sub-SMAS facelift surgery in 200 patients.
The results are encouraging and support the potential role of intraoperative facial nerve monitoring as an additional tool during advanced facelift surgery. Study findings relate to the specific population and surgical protocol studied and do not guarantee an individual outcome.
Scientific reference: Wongkietkachorn A, Hah WWH, Wongkietkachorn N. Use of Nerve Integrity Monitoring (NIM) in Facelifts. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Published online May 5, 2026. DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000013167 · PMID: 42085580
Why Skulpturkliniken
Facial Surgery by Dr. Matteo Amoroso
Dr. Matteo Amoroso, MD, PhD, is a senior consultant in plastic surgery with extensive experience in both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery.
His background includes advanced international surgical training at several world-leading institutions and highly specialised surgical centres. Through fellowships in microsurgery and supermicrosurgery in Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, he gained exceptional experience in complex tissue reconstruction, precision surgery, and advanced anatomical techniques.
Dr. Amoroso also worked for several years at Karolinska University Hospital, where he performed advanced microsurgical reconstruction of the head and neck. These complex procedures required meticulous planning, detailed anatomical knowledge, and a high level of technical precision.
This reconstructive background has profoundly shaped his approach to aesthetic facial surgery. His work is founded on a deep understanding of facial anatomy, careful surgical execution, patient safety, and the creation of natural-looking, harmonious results.
His philosophy is simple: reveal, do not reinvent. The purpose of facial surgery is not to change your identity, but to restore balance, definition, and freshness while preserving the individual characteristics that make your face uniquely yours.
A Refined and Natural Approach to Facial Rejuvenation
Facelift surgery requires more than technical ability. It demands a comprehensive understanding of facial anatomy, refined aesthetic judgment, surgical precision, and respect for the patient’s natural identity.
At Skulpturkliniken, facelift surgery is performed by Dr. Matteo Amoroso using an individualised and anatomically based approach. His focus is on elegant, balanced results that restore facial definition and freshness without creating a tight, pulled, or overoperated appearance. Successful facial rejuvenation requires the face to be considered as a whole. The cheeks, jawline, neck, eyelids, eyebrows, skin quality, and facial volume are closely connected and influence one another. Treating one area in isolation without considering the overall facial balance may produce an incomplete or disharmonious result.
For this reason, every facial procedure at Skulpturkliniken is planned around your individual anatomy, facial proportions, tissue quality, and personal goals. The intention is to enhance your strongest features, soften visible signs of ageing, and preserve what makes your face recognisably yours.
You should still look like yourself, only fresher, more defined, and more in harmony with how you feel.
A Relationship Built on Trust
Choosing a facial surgeon is an important and deeply personal decision. The relationship between you and your surgeon should be founded on open and transparent communication, realistic expectations, and strong mutual trust. This relationship is an essential part of a safe and successful surgical experience.
Dr. Amoroso’s approach is calm, honest, and attentive. From the first consultation, the focus is on understanding your concerns and helping you make a well-informed decision. He will explain what can realistically be achieved, which surgical technique may be most appropriate, and whether facial surgery is genuinely the right option for your anatomy and goals.
Each patient is personally guided through every stage of the process, from the initial consultation and surgical planning to the operation, recovery, and long-term follow-up. His aim is to achieve a result that feels natural, restores confidence, and contributes positively to the patient’s quality of life.
Patients choose Dr. Amoroso not only because of his qualifications, international experience, reconstructive background, and refined eye for facial balance, but also because of the personal attention he gives to every individual. Complications, questions, or worries may arise. That’s part of being human but you will never face them alone. Whether it's a moment of concern, an unusual symptom, or simply the need to speak to someone, we are behind you.
What Does a Facelift Cost?
The cost of a facelift depends on the extent of the procedure, the technique used, anesthesia, surgical time, and whether additional procedures are combined, such as a neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, facial fat grafting, or laser resurfacing.
Facial surgery requires precision, anatomical knowledge, experience, safety, and a refined aesthetic eye. Every procedure is individually planned, and the final price is discussed clearly during consultation after Dr. Matteo Amoroso has assessed your anatomy, goals, and surgical needs.
All surgical prices include one of the most extensive, transparent, and safe warranty programs. The price is designed to be comprehensive and includes everything related to the operation, from consultation and surgical planning to the procedure itself, compression garment when applicable, direct access to Dr. Matteo Amoroso and the medical team, and unlimited follow-up controls during the first year.
Safety and Trust
When considering facelift surgery, price should not be the only factor.
Safety is central to every step of the surgical journey. At Skulpturkliniken, safety isn't a luxury, it's the foundation of everything we do. We have created an environment where accessibility, personal connection, and full transparency are not privileges, but standards. Your Surgeon will be your closest point of contact. We understand that aesthetic surgery is a personal journey, sometimes even life-changing. We have built a model where you don't just meet a surgeon, you build a trust-based, continuous relationship with him. From your first consultation to long after your recovery, your surgeon is personally available to you. You will never find yourself speaking to a call center or an automated message. Need guidance, reassurance, or a second opinion, we will be there not as a favor, but as a part of our philosophy.
Your Treatment Includes:
Choosing Skulpturkliniken means choosing a complete experience with no compromises.
Our pricing is fully transparent and published openly on our website, what you see is what you pay, with no hidden fees or additional charges.
- Extensive first consultation with Dr. Matteo Amoroso
- Eventual additional preoperative consultation with Dr. Matteo Amoroso
- Detailed assessment and individualized surgical planning
- 3D simulation
- Careful evaluation of whether surgery is the right option
- Preoperative preparation guidance
- Surgery in a safe and controlled surgical environment
- Anesthesia
- Compression garments
- Unlimited postoperative follow-up visits during the first year
- Direct access to the surgeon and nursing team
- Digital access to your medical records through Adoreal®
- Aesthetic care program
- Patient insurance through Folksam
- Long-term postoperative support
- One of the most extensive, transparent, and safe warranty programs.
Frequently asked questions
In their words
Patients trust Skulpturkliniken for care.
Trust The Adoreal Experience
The Adoreal Platform gives you complete control of your aesthetic journey. You will be guided throughout your entire process, from consultation to recovery, ensuring an exceptional experience for you as a patient.
You are in control
Complete access to your information, health records and previous journeys.
Unmatched predictability
Manage your expectations with our questionnaire Silhouette, and visualize your ideal outcomes with 3D simulation.
Trusted step-by-step guide
From bookings to payments, logistics and after care, Adoreal will be your companion.
Empowered safety measures
Complimentary health check, careful monitoring, and meticulous preparation.
