20 Apr 2026 | by Akshay Sanan, MD, FACS
Your face plays a critical role in how you feel about yourself. Not only is it the main conduit for the various forms of expression, but your face also occupies a large piece of real estate in the upper third of the body. So when it begins to show the signs of age such as fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin, it can be very disconcerting. While every person ages at his or her own rate, facial aging is inevitable. As a Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, facial rejuvenation is my expertise. There are any number of non-surgical procedures that can help you feel more vital. While some, such as microneedlingRF, may deliver a slight lift to the skin, improving the appearance of a more moderate to severe amount of sagging tissue is often best served by a surgical facelift. I offer my Boston area patients the full range of facelift techniques. However, with all of the recent media attention on the deep plane facelift, I am regularly asked: “Is a deep plane facelift the best facelift?”. My answer is always the same. The best facelift is the one that is suited to your unique anatomy, lifestyle and desired outcome. This is why I always encourage patients to schedule an in-person consultation whenever possible.
Facelift Consultation
As one of the first plastic surgeon’s in Boston to offer the deep plane facelift, it is a procedure that I know well. It is one of the most advanced techniques in facial rejuvenation with the power to deliver a truly remarkable result. However, it is not automatically the best option for everyone. The right facelift approach is going to depend on your:
• Facial anatomy
• Aging pattern
• Tissue thickness
• Desired recovery timeline
During our meeting, I will listen to what it is that bothers you about your appearance. We will discuss, in detail, your medical history, family history, any prior procedures you may have had whether aesthetic or not, and how your body recovered. I will then conduct a physical exam to assess:
• Skin tone & texture
• Degree & location of loose, sagging skin
• Volume loss
• Muscle laxity, if any
• Crispness of chin/neck juncture
Together, we will go over the best facelift option for your needs. My recommendation is always going to be based on achieving a natural, balanced result as opposed to a single technique.
Ideal Candidate for a Deep Plane Facelift in Boston
As mentioned, the deep plane facelift is one of the most advanced techniques for facial rejuvenation. It offers natural, long-lasting results because I am repositioning the deeper structures of your face, not simply tightening the skin. However, it’s not the right solution for everyone. The ideal candidate for a deep plane facelift is any man or woman in good overall health who is bothered by moderate to advanced signs of facial aging such as:
• Deeper lines & wrinkles
• Sagging tissue in the mid-face
• “Jowling” around the mouth
• Drooping skin on neck
• Lack of crisp delineation at chin/neck juncture
• Volume loss in the cheeks
Younger patients or patients with minimal laxity may benefit from a less invasive approach. I am always honest about what any procedure can and cannot deliver for your specific anatomy. This includes the downtime for recovery. Once you have all of the information, you can then make the right facial rejuvenation decision for your lifestyle.
To find out more about a deep plane facelift, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Akshay Sanan at the Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, contact us today or call (617) 402-2768 to schedule a consultation.
