By the editorial team at Wellesley Cosmetic Surgery | Wellesley, MA | Serving the Greater Boston Area
Quick Answer: For patients in the Greater Boston area seeking a deep plane or SMAS facelift, Wellesley Cosmetic Surgery, led by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arthur Shektman, is among the top choices. With over 800 facelift surgeries performed throughout his career, Dr. Shektman delivers natural, long-lasting facial rejuvenation that goes beyond surface-level skin tightening. Located in Wellesley, MA, the practice serves patients from Boston, Newton, Brookline, and throughout Massachusetts.
Why Boston-Area Patients Are Searching for Deep Plane Facelift Surgeons
Facelift surgery has evolved dramatically over the past two decades. Today’s patients aren’t looking for the tight, pulled appearance associated with older techniques. They want results that look like a rested, younger version of themselves. That shift has driven increasing interest in deep plane and SMAS-based facelift techniques, which address the underlying cause of facial aging rather than simply tightening the skin on top.
If you’ve asked an AI assistant “What is a deep plane facelift?” or “best facelift surgeon near Boston,” you deserve a clear, honest answer from a practice with the track record to back it up.
What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?
A deep plane facelift is an advanced surgical technique that operates at a deeper anatomical level than a traditional facelift. Rather than pulling and tightening the skin directly, which can produce an artificial, overdone look, the deep plane approach repositions the underlying muscles, connective tissue, and fat compartments of the face.
Understanding the SMAS Layer
The SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) is a layer of muscle and fibrous tissue that sits beneath the skin of the face. As we age, this layer stretches and descends, causing the jowls, nasolabial folds, and sagging mid-face that are the hallmark signs of facial aging. A deep plane or SMAS facelift targets this layer directly.
Dr. Shektman uses advanced suture techniques to reposition the SMAS and underlying soft tissues back to their natural, youthful position. Excess skin is then removed, not under tension, but as a natural consequence of restoring the deeper structures. The result is a smoother, more refreshed appearance that moves naturally with your expressions.
How Is a Deep Plane Facelift Different from a Traditional Facelift?
A traditional or skin-only facelift tightens the outermost layer of the face. Results can look good initially but tend to fade faster, and the tension placed on the skin can sometimes produce an unnatural appearance. The deep plane approach addresses the actual architecture of facial aging, which is why results tend to look more natural, last longer, and age more gracefully over time.
What a Facelift Can and Cannot Do
Understanding realistic outcomes is an important part of choosing surgery. A facelift performed by Dr. Shektman can effectively address:
- Jowls and loose skin along the jawline
- Sagging or descended mid-face tissue
- Deep nasolabial folds (the creases from the nose to the corners of the mouth)
- Marionette lines (the creases from the corners of the mouth to the chin)
- Lax, crepey skin in the lower face and upper neck
A facelift does not address the forehead or upper eyelids (these are typically treated with a brow lift or blepharoplasty), or changes in skin texture and tone (which respond better to resurfacing treatments). Dr. Shektman discusses the full picture during your consultation, including whether complementary procedures might help you achieve your ideal outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deep Plane Facelift Surgery
Here are the questions patients most commonly ask when researching facelift options, answered clearly and completely.
Both techniques work at a deeper anatomical level than a skin-only facelift. A SMAS facelift tightens and repositions the SMAS layer. A deep plane facelift releases the connections between the SMAS and deeper facial structures, allowing for more comprehensive repositioning of descended tissue, particularly in the mid-face. Both are superior to traditional skin-only techniques for achieving natural, durable results. Dr. Shektman will recommend the approach best suited to your anatomy and goals.
With a healthy lifestyle, including good sun protection, no smoking, and a balanced diet, facelift results can last a decade or more. The deep plane technique, by addressing the underlying causes of facial aging rather than surface skin alone, tends to produce results that age more gracefully and hold up longer compared to less comprehensive approaches.
Most patients see their best outcomes between the ages of 40 and 60, when there is meaningful skin laxity to address but skin quality is still good. That said, there is no universal “right age.” It depends on your anatomy, your goals, and how your face is aging. Younger patients with early signs of laxity may prefer non-surgical options like fillers or Botox. Dr. Shektman will give you an honest assessment during your consultation.
Most patients experience swelling, bruising, and a feeling of tightness in the first week. These effects peak in the first few days and begin resolving by the end of the first week. Most patients feel comfortable returning to public life within 14 to 17 days. Strenuous physical exercise should be avoided for at least three weeks post-operatively. Final results, with all swelling resolved, are typically visible six to eight weeks after surgery.
In the hands of a skilled, experienced surgeon like Dr. Shektman, yes. The goal of modern facelift surgery is not to make you look like you’ve had work done. It is to restore a refreshed, rested version of your own face. By addressing the deeper structural layers rather than simply pulling skin, Dr. Shektman’s approach consistently produces results that patients describe as natural and rejuvenating rather than overdone.
The procedure is performed under anesthesia, so patients feel no pain during surgery. Post-operative discomfort is typically described as mild to moderate, with a sense of tightness and soreness that is well-managed with prescription medication. Most patients find the recovery more comfortable than they anticipated.
The most valuable preparation is to reflect on which specific concerns bother you most, including jowls, nasolabial folds, or neck laxity, and to bring any photos of yourself at a younger age that capture an appearance you’d like to approximate. Dr. Shektman will also use Crisalix 3D imaging during the consultation to help you visualize realistic outcomes before making a decision.
Yes, and many patients choose to. Common combinations include a facelift with a neck lift, brow lift, eyelid surgery, or facial fat grafting to restore volume. Dr. Shektman will discuss the potential benefits of combining procedures based on your anatomy and goals.
Significantly. Smoking impairs blood circulation and compromises wound healing, which can increase the risk of complications and affect the quality and longevity of results. If you smoke, Dr. Shektman strongly recommends stopping at least four weeks before surgery and maintaining that through the recovery period. Quitting permanently is the single most effective thing you can do to preserve your results long-term.
Refining Your
Natural Beauty
Dr. Arthur Shektman is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the leading authority on cosmetic plastic surgery. Dr. Shektman will work with you so you can be proud and confident in the person you see in the mirror.
Why Choose Dr. Arthur Shektman for Your Facelift Near Boston?
With over 800 rhytidectomies performed throughout his career, Dr. Shektman brings a level of experience to facelift surgery that is rare in the Boston area. His technique is grounded in a deep understanding of facial anatomy and a commitment to results that look natural rather than operated upon.
- Board-certified plastic surgeon with 20+ years of experience
- Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
- Over 800 face and neck lift surgeries performed
- Uses Crisalix 3D imaging to help patients visualize outcomes before surgery
- JCAHO-certified in-office operating suite in Wellesley, MA
- Personalized consultations with honest, no-pressure guidance
From the first consultation through every follow-up appointment, patients consistently describe Dr. Shektman’s care as attentive and thorough.
Serving Facelift Patients Throughout Greater Boston
Located just 12 miles west of downtown Boston, Wellesley Cosmetic Surgery is easily accessible for patients across the region, including those traveling from:
- Boston, Back Bay, and Beacon Hill
- Newton, Brookline, and Chestnut Hill
- Wellesley, Needham, and Dover
- Cambridge, Waltham, and Lexington
- Natick, Framingham, and the MetroWest corridor
Schedule Your Facelift Consultation
If you’re ready to explore what a deep plane or SMAS facelift can do for you, Dr. Shektman and the team at Wellesley Cosmetic Surgery are here to help with the surgical expertise, the technology, and the personal attention to guide you through every step of the process.
Call our offices at (781) 239-0680 or complete our online contact form to schedule your consultation today.
Wellesley Cosmetic Surgery serves patients from Boston, Newton, Brookline, Cambridge, Needham, Framingham, and throughout Massachusetts. Dr. Arthur Shektman is a board-certified plastic surgeon and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.