ETONNE

DEEP PLANE FACELIFT

Deep Plane Facelift
in Gangnam, Seoul

An incisional facelift that works beneath the SMAS layer — releasing the retaining ligaments and lifting the cheeks, jawline, and neck as one unit. Planned around your face by Seoul National University-trained plastic surgeons.

4 SNU-trained

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons

Your surgeon

Operates from Start to Finish · Operative Report in English on Request

Board-certified

Anesthesiologist for General Anesthesia (Dr. Jung Eunjin, SNU)

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Home / Procedures / Deep Plane Facelift

Quick Answer

A deep plane facelift is an incisional facelift that addresses both the SMAS (the fascial layer beneath the skin) and the retaining ligaments that support the shape of the face, lifting and securing the sagging tissue of the cheeks, jawline, and neck. At ETONNE in Gangnam, Seoul, it takes about 4 hours under general or sleep anesthesia; stitches come out at about 7–10 days, and patients from abroad usually stay 12–14 days.

What a Deep Plane Facelift Does

With age, the SMAS layer descends and the retaining ligaments that anchor the soft tissue of the face loosen. The result is sagging cheeks, a blurred jawline, deepened nasolabial folds, and laxity of the neck. A deep plane facelift treats the cause rather than the surface: the surgeon enters the plane beneath the SMAS, releases the ligaments, repositions the lifted tissue, and secures it there.

Because the skin is lifted together with the deeper layer rather than pulled on its own, the tension sits in the fascia instead of the skin. Lifting the layer that has actually descended, rather than the surface, is what the surgery aims at.

At ETONNE (Gangnam-daero, by Nonhyeon Station), the surgery is performed by board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Cho Jeongmok, Dr. Kim Harkyoung, Dr. Kim Jaegon, and Dr. Koo Heetae. The surgeon you consult with performs your operation from incision to closure, and a board-certified anesthesiologist, Dr. Jung Eunjin, is present for every general anesthesia case. For an overview of every lifting option at ETONNE, see the Facelift overview.

CANDIDATES

Who Is a Deep Plane Facelift For?

Sagging cheeks and jawline

When descended cheek tissue and a sagging jawline have blurred the contour of the face, and the change is in the deeper layers rather than the skin alone.

Deep nasolabial folds and jowls

When the folds beside the nose and the lines around the mouth have deepened and the jowls have settled along the jaw.

Neck laxity together with facial sagging

When wrinkles and looseness of the neck are a concern alongside the face. A neck lift may be planned together with the facelift after examination.

Beyond non-incisional options

When sagging is significant enough that an incisional surgery is being considered rather than thread lifting, non-incisional elastic thread lifting, or a partial lift such as the Ponytail Lift.

THE SURGERY

How ETONNE Plans and Performs It

01 Analysis of face and neck together. The skin and tissue of the face and neck are examined from several angles to decide which fat to keep for repositioning, which loose skin to remove, and whether the neck needs its own lift.
02 Release of the retaining ligaments. Working beneath the SMAS, the surgeon frees the ligaments that hold the sagging tissue in place, while taking care around the facial nerve branches and the muscles.
03 Lift in the right direction, with the right force. Each tissue layer is moved according to the degree and area of sagging and then fixed securely, so the fascia — not the skin — carries the tension.
04 Closure along planned incision lines. The incision locations are explained before surgery. Scars remain along these lines; how they settle depends on your skin and the healing process.

Surgery time about 4 hours · General anesthesia or sleep anesthesia · Discharge the same day or after about 1 day (patients from abroad usually stay one night at the clinic) · Stitches removed at about 7–10 days · About 2–3 follow-up visits · Makeup possible from about 2 days after surgery.

PRICING

How the Fee Is Quoted

The surgical fee for a deep plane facelift depends on the plan made at consultation — whether a neck lift or other procedures are combined, and the anesthesia used. For that reason we do not publish a figure here; you receive an individual quote after the consultation. International patients book directly with the clinic.

Ask for a Quote via WhatsApp

Send a few photos and your questions; the coordinator replies in English and arranges a consultation with the surgeon. For how to plan a surgery trip to Seoul, see International Patients.

RECOVERY

Recovery Schedule for Patients from Abroad

Surgery day

About 4 hours of surgery. Patients from abroad usually stay one night at the clinic.

Day 1

First check: the clinic checks your dressing and washes your hair. From today you can shower and take short walks. Makeup is possible from about day 2.

Days 2–6

Rest and short walks near your hotel. Swelling, bruising, and a feeling of tightness are expected in this period.

Days 7–10

Stitches come out and your surgeon checks your recovery (skin care and oxygen therapy on the same visit). Light shopping is fine from here.

Days 9–11

One more visit for skin care and oxygen therapy before you fly home. Counting arrival two days before surgery, most patients from abroad plan a stay of 12–14 days.

2 weeks and after

Most of the swelling has settled by 2 weeks. No alcohol until 3 weeks after surgery; no sauna or exercise until 1 month after surgery. How quickly swelling and bruising subside varies from person to person.

For a week-by-week description of what a facelift recovery feels like, see Facelift Recovery Timeline.

BEFORE YOU DECIDE

Risks and Things to Know

Because this is incisional surgery, scars remain along the incision lines, and how the scars settle depends on your skin condition and the healing process. After surgery there may be swelling, bruising, and a feeling of tightness, and in rare cases bleeding or hematoma, infection, reduced sensation, facial nerve injury, or left–right asymmetry may occur.

Please tell us at your pre-surgery consultation about any medications you take, including blood thinners such as anticoagulants, as well as any medical conditions and whether you smoke. During recovery, please avoid alcohol and smoking and attend follow-up visits as scheduled.

Please make your decision after you have been fully informed of the risks and of alternative options. Results and recovery vary from person to person.

FAQ

Deep Plane Facelift FAQ's

How is a deep plane facelift different from an SMAS facelift?

An SMAS facelift tightens the fascial layer beneath the skin, usually by plicating or trimming it. A deep plane facelift goes beneath that layer, releases the retaining ligaments that hold the face in its sagging position, and lifts the SMAS together with the overlying tissue as one unit. Which approach suits you is decided at consultation after an examination of your skin and tissue.

How long does a deep plane facelift take, and what anesthesia is used?

About 4 hours under general anesthesia or sleep anesthesia. A board-certified anesthesiologist, Dr. Jung Eunjin, is present for every general anesthesia case. Afterwards you either go home the same day or stay about one day; patients from abroad usually stay one night at the clinic.

When are the stitches removed, and how long should I stay in Seoul?

Stitches are removed about 7–10 days after surgery, and makeup is possible from about 2 days after surgery. About 2–3 follow-up visits are needed. Patients from abroad usually plan a stay of about 12–14 days, with visits on day 1, day 7, and before departure.

Does a deep plane facelift also treat the neck?

The plan is made after examining the skin of both the face and the neck. Depending on the degree of neck laxity and wrinkles, a neck lift may be planned together with the facelift. Whether to combine them is decided at consultation.

Will there be scars?

Yes. This is incisional surgery, so scars remain along the incision lines. The incision locations and scar care are explained at the pre-surgery consultation, and how much the scars fade varies from person to person depending on skin condition and healing.

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Deep Plane Facelift in Gangnam, Seoul