Deep Plane faceliftin Turin, Italy

When a facelift is indicated

Over time the face does not only lose elasticity: the deep tissues descend, taking the cheeks, the nasolabial folds and the jawline with them, while the neck loses definition. A facelift is indicated when these changes are mainly due to the descent of the tissues, that is, when putting them back in place really makes a difference.

• cheeks that have dropped and look "hollow" in the upper part;
• deep nasolabial folds and marionette lines;
• a jawline that has lost its sharpness (so-called "jowls");
• a loose neck, with excess skin or visible muscle bands.

What matters is not your age, but how far the tissues have descended and how much elasticity the skin has lost.

When I do not recommend surgery

First, understanding: sometimes the most useful thing I can do at a consultation is to tell you that you do not need a facelift, or not yet. I will not suggest it if:

• the main problem is loss of volume: in that case fat grafting or fillers may be enough;
• the problem is skin quality (fine wrinkles, spots, texture): a facelift does not improve it, while a laser can;
• the laxity is minimal and surgery would be out of proportion;
• you smoke and cannot stop in the weeks before and after surgery, because smoking increases the risk of skin healing problems;
• there are uncontrolled health conditions or treatments that cannot be safely stopped: we assess them with your doctor and the anaesthetist;
• you are losing or gaining a lot of weight: it is better to wait until your weight is stable;
• expectations are not realistic, for example "looking 30 again" or changing your own features.

The techniques I use

There are several facelift techniques, working at different depths. The choice depends on how far the tissues have descended, on skin quality and on what you want.

For the neck there is a dedicated page: neck and chin lift.

How I work

I furthered my training in the Deep Plane technique in New York with Prof. Andrew A. Jacono, one of the surgeons who have contributed most to developing and describing it (you can see the photo of the course on the About page). His book The Art and Science of Extended Deep Plane Facelifting is one of my working references.

At the consultation I look at the face as a whole: the skin, the volumes, the bone structure, the neck, and the way you move when you speak and smile. Often the most natural result comes from combining several steps, for example a facelift with fat grafting to restore lost volume, or with a blepharoplasty if the eyelids have changed too. I explain what can be achieved, what cannot, and why.

The operation

I perform the facelift under local anaesthesia with sedation, managed by a specialist anaesthetist. The operation takes place in Turin: at Aesthetic Clinic, in the operating theatre authorised by the Piedmont Region for complex outpatient surgery, or in a private hospital when I prefer you to spend the night in a hospital setting.

The incisions follow the natural creases in front of and behind the ear and, if the neck needs work, under the chin: they are designed to become hard to see as they heal. I close them in two layers: absorbable internal stitches, which support the wound edges for about six months and make the scar more stable, and very fine surface stitches, largely hidden by the hair, which I remove after about 10 days.

Recovery

In most cases you go home the same day. After sedation you must not drive that day: someone can drive you home, or you can take a taxi. In the first days the face is swollen and bruises may appear, which fade over the following weeks; the result can really be appreciated once the swelling has settled, usually over a few months.

These times are approximate: they can change depending on the technique and on how you heal, and I confirm them at your check-ups after surgery.

If you live abroad: plan to stay in or near Turin at least until the stitches are removed and the first check-ups are done, around 10 days. Before flying, I check that you are ready to travel. See also International patients.

Risks and limits

A facelift is a surgical operation and, like any operation, it has risks. The most important, which we discuss together at the consultation, are:

• haematoma, a collection of blood under the skin: it is the most common complication and must be treated promptly;
• changes in sensation of the skin of the face and ears, usually temporary;
• injury to a branch of the facial nerve, rare and in most cases temporary, which can cause weakness of a facial muscle;
• skin healing problems, more likely in smokers;
• scars more visible than expected or asymmetries, which in some cases need a touch-up.

A facelift also has limits: it does not stop ageing, which goes on over the years; it does not improve skin quality on its own; it does not restore lost volume, which needs to be rebuilt separately. Knowing this beforehand avoids disappointment afterwards.

What patients say

Real patient reviews, translated faithfully from Italian; cuts are marked […]. The original Italian reviews are on the testimonials page and on GuidaEstetica.

How much does a facelift cost?

Every face is different and every operation is tailored, so the cost depends on the technique, the areas to be treated, any combined procedures and the type of stay. Because every case is different, I define it after the consultation, in a personalised written quote that also shows the first available date for surgery.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a Deep Plane facelift and an SMAS facelift?

They work at different depths. SMAS techniques reshape the face by tightening or repositioning the SMAS, the supporting layer under the skin. The Deep Plane facelift works beneath the SMAS and releases the retaining ligaments, so that the cheeks, jawline and neck can be moved as a single unit with little tension on the skin. Neither is better for everyone: the choice depends on your anatomy, on how far the tissues have descended and on the result you want.

Is a facelift done under general anaesthesia?

Usually not: I perform the facelift under local anaesthesia with sedation, managed by a specialist anaesthetist. The final choice is made with the anaesthetist, based on your health and the procedure.

Is the result of a facelift permanent?

A facelift brings the tissues back to a younger position, but it does not stop ageing: the face keeps changing over the years. How long the result lasts depends on the technique, skin quality, weight, sun exposure and smoking.

At what age should you have a facelift?

There is no single right age: what matters is how far the tissues have descended and how much elasticity the skin has lost. Sometimes a facelift is indicated at 45, sometimes at 60 less invasive treatments are enough. We assess it together at the consultation.

How long should I stay in Turin after a facelift if I live abroad?

Stitches are removed after about 10 days, and the first check-ups take place in that period. If you live abroad, plan to stay in or near Turin for at least that time; I will confirm the right length of stay for your case at the consultation.

Further reading (in Italian)

• Deep Plane facelift vs traditional facelift: differences, results and how long it lasts
• Facelift: when NOT to have it and what to do instead
• How to rejuvenate the face: fillers, laser or facelift?

References

• Jacono A. A. The Art and Science of Extended Deep Plane Facelifting and Complementary Facial Rejuvenation Procedures. Quality Medical Publishing.

Written and medically reviewed by Dr Giulio Maria Maggi, plastic surgeon (Turin Medical Board no. 20595, AICPE member) — last reviewed: 31 October 2026

REQUEST A CONSULTATION