The deep plane facelift, originally described by Sam Hamra in 1990, utilises a plane of dissection below the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) of the midface. This approach allows the resection of key facial retaining ligaments. This very important step in facelift surgery makes a maximum mobilization of the superficial soft tissue of the face possible. The facial skin and the SMAS can be lifted together. To hold the skin-SMAS flap in the desired/rejuvenated position sutures are only required at the level of the fascia/SMAS and not in the skin, the deep plane technique creates a tension-free skin closure and ensures long-term results.
A properly executed deep plane facelift can produce dramatic and sustainable rejuvenation to the lower face and the midface with a very natural lift without any signs of pulling.
Some colleagues using this technique have rebranded it for PR reasons to "Vertical Restore", TCF lift or Auralift. All of these facelifts are deep plane lifts, and in my opinion this technique represents the cutting edge in facelift surgery.