As we age our bodies and faces start to change and signs will be noticeable. Wrinkles, skin sagging, and loss of volume in the face are just some of the symptoms that can make people consider facelift surgery.

Facelift surgeries come in different types depending on the area that they aim to treat. In this blog post, we will focus on two main types, traditional facelift and deep plane facelift. 

Both these procedures are very efficient when it comes to addressing signs of aging but there are significant differences between the two. If you are considering having a facelift but want to know more about the procedure, Medical Tourism Albania is here to help you. Continue reading to find out more. 

What Is A Facelift?

Facelifts are considered cosmetic surgical procedures that eliminate the signs of aging such as wrinkles, deep lines, and excess skin. This treatment provides great results and makes people look much younger and refreshed.

During the procedure, the surgeon will aim to pull back the skin from each side carefully to avoid creating any asymmetries. Once the tissues below the skin are altered to create that snatched-back look the excess skin will be removed and the skin will be stitched. After the healing period is over you will notice amazing results.

Sometimes, neck lifts are included as part of a facelift because this area is often affected by aging. Combining both procedures can be an excellent option, as it provides a more comprehensive approach to achieving a youthful appearance.

Keep in mind that although facelifts work great in addressing deep wrinkles and excess skin, they do not improve the skin condition. If you have signs of discoloration or want to add volume to your face, you should consider other procedures. 

Why Understanding Different Types Of Facelifts Matters

As we mentioned before, facelifts are complex procedures that will provide huge improvements when it comes to aging. If you are dealing with issues like wrinkles, sagging skin, or facial volume loss this is the right way to go. 

However, facelifts come in different types depending on the technique and the results that they provide. In Albania, we offer all types of facelifts such as deep plane facelifts and the traditional facelift. 

Every kind of facelift reaches different layers of facial tissue and addresses different aesthetic issues. When comparing a deep plane facelift with a traditional facelift, the technique is different and the results are also different.

The deep plane facelift aims to reposition the deep layers of the skin and target the lower part of the face including the jaw, while traditional facelift targets the whole face, tighten the skin, and address the underlying structures of the face. 

Understanding the main differences between these two techniques is very important. After understanding what these types of facelifts aim to address, you will have a better understanding of what can be achieved and what the results will turn out. 

Additionally, there are other differences between these facelifts such as the duration of the results, the recovery timeline and what are the risks involved. This will make the consultation with the doctor easier and help them make the best decision for their specific concerns. 

What Is A Traditional Facelift?

Traditional facelifts are one of the most common procedures performed here in Albania. Medically this procedure is also known as rhytidectomy.

As the name says, the aim of this procedure is to minimize and eliminate signs of aging in the face and sometimes even the neck. It can address sagging skin, deep wrinkles, and loose facial tissues.

During the procedure, the surgeon will tighten and lift the skin and the structures below it carefully to provide a youthful and refreshed look. Although this procedure can address every part of the face its main focus is in the mid part including the cheeks and jawline, where aging signs are more common. 

The incisions of the traditional facelift will be made along the hairline, near the ears, and sometimes even under the chin. This location depends on the patient’s requests and wishes. 

The procedure consists of a gentle lift of the skin and the disposition of the underlying muscles and skin tissues. This will create a smoother and firmer appearance of the face. The excess skin will then be removed and the incision will be closed carefully to minimize any possible scarring. 

This type of facelift will be recommended in cases when the patient has significant signs of aging that cannot be addressed with other techniques. The results will be long-lasting and very noticeable. 

However one of its main disadvantages is that it won’t reach deeper facial structures and it only improves concerns that are visible on the surface. Besides this setback, traditional facelifts still provide amazing results, depending on the individual’s concerns.

Who Benefits From A Traditional Facelift?

Traditional facelifts will be the perfect choice for individuals who have moderate to advanced signs of aging. The targeted area will be the lower part of the face along with the neck.

This approach will be ideal for those patients who have significant signs of aging such as sagging skin, deep facial wrinkles, and loss of jaw definition. Usually, these signs are visible in people who are in their 40s to 70s.

It is important to know that if you are considering the traditional facelift you should be healthy and not have any underlying issues going on that can impact the healing process or the results. If you want dramatic changes rather than small enhancements in the face this will be the right choice for you. 

A traditional facelift usually works best for those who are comfortable with surgery and the recovery period that goes along with it. It offers long-lasting effects that are not possible with non-surgical therapies like skin tightening or fillers.

This means that if you want faster results and you are not willing to go through with the healing period, this won’t be the right treatment for you. Consult a surgeon in Albania to find the right procedure that fulfills your aesthetic and personal goals. 

Benefits Of Traditional Facelifts

Significant And Long-Lasting Results

The main reason why people consider traditional facelifts is the results that it provides. After the procedure, you will notice significant changes and improvements in your face especially in the mid area and the neck. 

The skin will be tightened, wrinkles will be removed and you will have a more youthful look that will last for many years to come.

Comprehensive Rejuvenation

The traditional facelift targets the cheeks, jawline, and neck and provides a more youthful and balanced appearance of the face. This makes it an ideal choice for those who want significant improvements, not small changes in the face. Usually, it is recommended to consider a traditional facelift, if fillers and non-surgical treatment won’t be as effective. 

Precise And Customized Adjustments

Another important benefit that traditional facelift provides is the ability to make specific changes in the face that are customized to the patient’s face. By using this approach your face will be more defined and smoother while looking as natural as possible. 

Treats Moderate To Advanced Aging Signs

Another huge benefit of traditional facelifts is that they address a number of concerns and can be tailored according to the patient’s wishes. This includes moderate to advanced signs of aging and the results will be amazing in any case. 

What Is A Deep Plane Facelift?

Our faces will change a lot as we age and these changes can manifest in different forms. While some people will deal with minimal changes others will experience sunken cheeks, deep wrinkles, sagging skin, etc. 

Some people accept this change easily and some others are constantly trying to find ways to turn back time and eliminate these signs. There are several options that can help you return back to your previous self and one of the most effective will be a deep plane facelift. 

A deep plane facelift is one of the best treatments for addressing signs of aging. This surgery will make the skin look tighter and more elastic while removing excess skin and treating wrinkles from the lower part of your face.

Because this type of facelift offers drastic changes is mostly recommended for people who are in their 60s. After the procedure, you will have a more contoured jawline, a tighter neck, and smothered skin without wrinkles or skin hanging. 

Who Benefits From A Deep Plane Facelift?

Due to its comprehensive approach and the changes that it provides, deep plane facelifts will be very effective for both men and women who are in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s. 

If you are considering a deep plane facelift take a look at these factors:

• Deep wrinkles in the lower part of the face that cannot be addressed non-surgically.
• If your skin lacks elasticity.
• If you want to improve the overall appearance of your face. 

Before deciding whether this is the right procedure for you, it is important to consult with a specialized surgeon. After examining your face and medical condition they will decide whether deep plane facelift is the right procedure for you or not.

Benefits Of Deep Plane Facelift

The purpose of a deep plane facelift is to provide a noticeable lift to the neck and mid-face area, which is mostly impacted by aging. This procedure will provide amazing results and it is considered one of the most advanced facelift techniques.

Some of the main benefits that this procedure provides compared to other types of facelifts are: 

Long-Lasting Results

The deep plane facelift technique will address signs of aging by repositioning the underlying SMAS layer which lies deep on the skin and subcutaneous fat but is superficial to the deeper facial muscles and other structures.

Due to this approach, this type of facelift provides more comprehensive results when compared to other similar surgeries. Additionally, the results of this technique will last longer, up to 10-15 years, or even more. 

Natural-Looking Results

If the deep plane facelift is performed by a specialized cosmetic surgeon the results will be very natural. During the procedure, the surgeon will lift the skin and the underlying tissues which will result in better-looking results. You will not get the overdone look that is often common with other facelift techniques especially when performed by surgeons who are not trained to do so.

Comprehensive Rejuvenation

When we say that deep plane facelift targets the face and neck area we include the nasolabial folds, jawls, and marionette lines, which bother many people. After addressing all these areas your face will look much younger and refreshed. 

Minimal Scarring

Every facelift has the risk of scarring but with a deep face plane lift this risk is minimal. Surgeons in Albania will carefully place the incisions in the natural creases of the face near the hairline. This way they will be hidden and once they are healed the scarring will be unnoticeable. 

Customizable

Each patient has its specific needs and the good news is that a deep plane facelift is customized to meet each of them. The procedure can be focused on different areas of the face and the neck depending on the patient’s wishes. 

Key Differences Between Deep Plane And Traditional Facelifts

Although both, deep-plane facelifts and traditional facelifts provide amazing results when it comes to addressing signs of aging, they are different from each other. In order to understand which one of the techniques is the right one for you consider these factors:

Areas Of The Face Addressed

Another difference between the deep plane facelift and the traditional facelift is the areas of the face that they aim to address.

Traditional facelifts will address aging signs in the lower part of the face which includes the jawline and the neck. Also, the procedure will improve the appearance of sagging skin, neck elasticity, and jowls, which are common in the 50s and older.

Deep plane facelifts on the other hand aim to address the same areas but will also provide a lifting effect and restore lost volume on the cheeks. This means that this type of facelift will be more suitable in cases when full-face rejuvenation is required. 

Recovery Process

Because more tissues are dissected during a deep plane facelift, recuperation time may be a little longer. this means that normal side effects such as bruising and swelling could take a few more weeks to go away than with a traditional facelift.

For patients who want less recovery time, traditional facelifts will be the better choice since they often have a shorter recovery period. However, keep in mind that both techniques have their own setbacks and differences and before making your choice you should consider every aspect not just the recovery period. 

Natural Results

Since the deep plane facelift is more comprehensive and targets deeper areas of the face than traditional facelifts the results will look more natural. This technique will not only tighten the skin but also restore volume in hollow areas such as the cheeks. 

After this facelift, your face won’t look overly tightened and pulled back which is often true with traditional facelifts. Although traditional facelifts provide amazing results they won’t provide the same facial harmony and level of naturality that the deep plane technique does. 

Surgical Techniques

One of the main differences between traditional and deep-plane facelifts is the surgical technique. While both of them aim to address the same issues the depth of tissue manipulation differs. 

Tightening the skin and underlying tissues, such as the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS), is the main goal of a classic facelift. For a more thorough lift, a deep plane facelift adjusts deeper tissue layers, such as the SMAS and facial fat pads.

Because the deep plane facelift addresses the underlying reasons for skin drooping, the results are more natural and long-lasting. Despite their effectiveness, traditional facelifts can result in a tighter appearance that may not seem as natural.

Longevity Of Results

While both, deep plane and traditional facelifts offer long-lasting results there is a small difference between them. 

The deep plane facelift results will last a little longer due the the fact that the deeper layers of the face will be repositioned and they prevent premature sagging. The results will last as long as 10-15 years. 

Traditional facelifts on the other hand will not last as long since their main focus is on surface-level corrections. The results of this technique will typically last about 7-10 years with proper maintenance. 

Before deciding between a deep plane facelift and a traditional facelift, it is important to understand the differences between the two and how each can benefit you. The first step is selecting the right surgeon in Albania. Together, you can determine the most suitable approach based on your unique facial characteristics.