Deep Plane Face & Neck Lift

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Dr. Motakis’ Experience With Face and Neck Lifts

Face and neck lifting has been one of the central focuses of Dr. Motakis’ practice for over 16 years, with the deep plane face and neck lift representing one of his most specialized and frequently performed procedures.

These procedures are performed routinely and form the core of his surgical practice. Based in Toronto, Dr. Motakis has developed a referral-based practice focused on advanced deep plane facial rejuvenation. Patients travel from across the greater Toronto area, throughout Canada, and internationally to seek his experience with meticulous, anatomy-driven face and neck lifting techniques designed to deliver natural, long-lasting results.

Over time, Dr. Motakis has continuously refined his approach by integrating advances in anatomical understanding, surgical technique, and peri-operative care. This evolution has resulted in a modern, state-of-the-art deep plane technique capable of addressing even the most complex patterns of facial and neck aging while preserving a natural, unoperated appearance.

The philosophy behind this approach is simple: effective facial rejuvenation must be technically precise yet visually imperceptible. From incision placement and contour refinement to tension-free repositioning of deeper tissues, every detail is considered so the face appears refreshed, rested, and naturally rejuvenated without looking surgically altered. The goal is not to change how you look, but to restore how you once looked.

What Happens to the Face With Aging

Facial aging is a gradual, three-dimensional process and involves much more than loose skin. Over time, deeper facial tissues and the structures that support them relax, allowing facial tissues to shift downward. This leads to changes such as jowling and loss of jawline definition.

Aging of the neck also involves relaxation and descent of deeper structures beneath the skin, which can create banding and fullness under the chin. In addition, many patients experience varying degrees of volume loss throughout the face, contributing to a tired or aged appearance. Because everyone ages differently, understanding these changes on an individual level is essential to achieving a natural and balanced result.

What Is a Deep Plane Face and Neck Lift

Modern facial rejuvenation recognizes that pulling on the skin alone does not produce natural or durable results. Skin tension is what historically led to a tight or unnatural appearance.

A deep plane face and neck lift focuses on repositioning the deeper facial and neck tissues that have descended with time. By releasing these tissues from the attachments that hold them in a lowered position, they can be repositioned effectively and without tension to a more youthful location.

Traditional facelift techniques such as the SMAS facelift improve facial aging by tightening deeper layers beneath the skin. While these approaches can be effective in select cases of mild aging, they rely on more limited tissue release and may fall short in more advanced or complex aging patterns. The deep plane facelift differs in that it fully releases and repositions the deeper facial tissues as a single unit, allowing for more natural movement, improved contour restoration, and longer-lasting results without relying on skin tension.

How the Deep Plane Technique Works

A deep plane face and neck lift begins with a limited elevation of the skin to expose the deeper facial and neck structures. The emphasis of the procedure is not on tightening the skin, but on releasing and repositioning the underlying tissues.

The dissection progresses toward the midface, reaching the nasolabial folds and marionette region. This allows the deeper structures to be fully released from the attachments that keep them in a descended position and repositioned naturally to restore youthful contours of the cheeks, jawline, and neck.

In the neck, deeper tissues are sculpted and supporting muscles are tightened when necessary to recreate a sharp jawline and a smooth, well-defined neck contour. Because the support comes from beneath the skin, the skin itself is gently redraped rather than pulled, resulting in a relaxed and natural appearance.

Are There Different Types of Deep Plane Face and Neck Lifts

The principles of the deep plane technique are consistent, but how extensively it is applied varies based on anatomy, skin quality, and degree of aging.

• A classic deep plane facelift focuses primarily on the face and jawline and often provides meaningful improvement to the neck in patients with milder neck aging.
• An extended deep plane facelift is used in patients with more advanced aging or heavier facial features. In this approach, the release of deeper tissues extends further toward the midface, allowing for the most comprehensive and durable rejuvenation.
• A deep plane neck lift is commonly combined with a deep plane facelift when there are more significant aging changes in the neck, which is the case for most patients seeking facial rejuvenation.
• A preservation deep plane neck lift is a modification used in select patients with good skin quality and minimal excess neck skin. This approach involves less skin undermining and greater emphasis on modifying deeper neck structures, often resulting in more efficient recovery while maintaining a natural and durable result.

These options are explained and discussed during consultation. Dr. Motakis has extensive experience performing all variations of the deep plane face and neck lift and selects the most appropriate technique based on each patient’s anatomy, goals, and level of aging.

Where Are the Incisions Placed

Incisions are carefully planned and placed along the natural hairline of the temples, within the natural creases and contours of the ear, and behind the ear. These placements allow scars to heal discreetly without distorting the hairline or altering natural hair growth patterns.

Incision placement may be subtly modified between men and women to account for differences in hairlines, beard patterns, and skin quality.

When deep plane neck work is performed, a small incision may be placed within the natural crease beneath the chin. This incision is meticulously closed and typically becomes increasingly difficult to detect over time.

Does Facial Rejuvenation Also Involve Restoring Volume

Yes. Aging involves not only tissue descent but also deflation.

Fat grafting complements the structural repositioning achieved with a deep plane face and neck lift. When volume loss contributes to an aged appearance, fat grafting may be performed concurrently to restore balance, softness, and youthful contour.

Is the Deep Plane Face and Neck Lift Different for Men and Women

While the underlying principles are the same, aesthetic goals and surgical considerations differ, particularly in men.

In male patients, preserving a natural, masculine appearance is essential. This includes avoiding overfilling, maintaining facial character, and ensuring results are intentionally understated. Hair patterns, beard distribution, skin quality, and facial proportions influence incision placement and surgical planning.

In women, contour refinement and volume restoration are often approached differently, with emphasis on balance and softness. In all patients, the goal is natural rejuvenation without altering identity.

What Is Recovery Like

Patients stay overnight in a state-of-the-art surgical facility for observation and comfort, with two dedicated nurses providing continuous care.

Follow-up care is structured and attentive. Patients are typically seen at three to five days, one week, two weeks, and one month after surgery, with additional visits as needed. Final evaluation is performed between six and twelve months once healing and refinement are complete.

Initial swelling and bruising gradually resolve over the first two weeks. By two weeks, most patients are able to apply makeup and resume social activities. By one month, patients generally feel very good, with continued refinement occurring over the following months.

Light daily activities may be resumed within one to two weeks. Light exercise and aerobic activity typically resume at one month.

The facility offers a variety of supportive treatments to aid recovery and optimize healing. These include lymphatic facial massage, medical-grade facials, red light therapy, ultrasound-based and radiofrequency treatments, and access to advanced laser technologies for incision and scar optimization when required.

What Happens During a Consultation

A consultation is designed to be thoughtful, informative, and personalized. Dr. Motakis takes the time to understand your concerns, goals, and priorities while carefully assessing your facial and neck anatomy.

He explains how aging has affected your face and neck and discusses what improvement can realistically be achieved and what options may be appropriate for you. The discussion is centered on education and clarity, allowing you to make informed decisions at your own pace.

You will also meet with an experienced nursing patient consultant who assists with preparation, planning, and ongoing support. A dedicated pre-operative appointment with Dr. Motakis and the nursing team ensures that everything is optimized before surgery.

What Should Out-of-Town Patients Expect

Many patients travel to Toronto from out of town, out of province, and internationally for surgery.

Patients who travel for surgery are required to remain locally during the early recovery period to allow for appropriate in-person follow-up and monitoring. Those who have flown in are generally advised to remain locally for approximately ten to fourteen days before returning home.

The office can assist with coordinating accommodations, private nursing care, and recovery planning. Virtual follow-up appointments are available when appropriate once patients have returned home.

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