Deep Plane Facelift
Deep plane facelift surgery in Scottsdale with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ashley Howarth. Each result is thoughtfully tailored to your features, your goals, and the natural confidence you deserve.
Experience the exceptional care and personalized touch of a board-certified female plastic surgeon who prioritizes your well-being every step of the way. Discover why Dr. Ashley Howarth stands out as one of the best plastic surgeons in Arizona for results that look and feel beautifully natural.
Deep Plane Facelift in Scottsdale
The deep plane facelift is considered one of the most advanced techniques in facial rejuvenation. Rather than pulling the skin tight, this approach repositions deeper facial layers—including muscle and connective tissue—to restore youthful definition to the cheeks, jawline, and neck. The result is a refreshed, natural appearance that looks like you—only more vibrant and rested.
Dr. Ashley Howarth is a Mayo Clinic–trained, board-certified plastic surgeon known for deep plane facelift results that are refined, balanced, and personalized. Her approach is never about changing how you look, but about helping you feel more like yourself.
Recognized as one of Arizona’s best plastic surgeons for facial rejuvenation, Dr. Howarth is trusted for her meticulous technique, artistic eye, and calm, supportive approach. Every detail—from incision placement to lift vector—is carefully considered to create results that feel beautifully authentic.
What is a Deep Plane Facelift?
A deep plane facelift addresses facial aging at its foundation. While traditional facelifts tighten the skin, a deep plane facelift lifts and repositions the underlying facial structures to correct midface descent, jowling, and neck laxity.
Because the deeper tissues are released and elevated, the skin is not placed under tension. This results in:
- A softer, more natural appearance
- A smoother jawline and neckline
- Improved cheek contour and midface volume
- Longer-lasting rejuvenation compared to traditional facelifts
Dr. Howarth customizes every deep plane facelift based on each patient’s anatomy, aesthetic goals, and aging pattern to achieve results that are balanced and enduring.
Why Patients Choose a Deep Plane Facelift
Restore Youthful Contours
As facial tissues descend with age, the cheeks flatten, jowls form, and the jawline loses its definition. A deep plane facelift restores natural contour by repositioning these tissues without creating a tight or “operated” look.
Natural - Looking Results
Because the lift occurs at a deeper level, the skin drapes naturally over the face’s restored foundation. The result is a refreshed, rested appearance rather than a pulled or artificial look.
Comprehensive Facial Rejuvenation
A deep plane facelift addresses the midface, lower face, and neck in one procedure, providing harmonious improvement across all areas most affected by aging.
Longer-Lasting Outcome
By releasing and repositioning deeper tissues, deep plane facelifts offer results that are more durable and natural over time compared to skin-only or SMAS facelifts.
Deep Plane Facelift Process
A Thoughtful, One-on-One Conversation
Your consultation with Dr. Ashley Howarth is a relaxed, one-on-one conversation focused entirely on your facial anatomy, goals, and lifestyle. You’ll discuss the areas you’d like to improve, review photos if helpful, and learn how a deep plane facelift can address your specific concerns.
Dr. Howarth will carefully examine your facial structure, skin quality, and degree of tissue descent. She will explain the nuances of the deep plane approach, how it compares to other techniques, and what kind of outcomes are realistic based on your anatomy.
Every aspect of the surgical plan—from incision placement to recovery timelines—is personalized and explained thoroughly. The goal is for you to feel comfortable, informed, and empowered about your decision.
From consultation to confidence
Selecting a Plastic Surgeon with a Commitment to Excellence
Careful Planning
Every deep plane facelift begins with careful preparation. Dr. Howarth designs each surgical plan based on your natural structure and goals, ensuring your results are balanced, authentic, and aligned with how you want to look and feel.
Surgical Expertise
With advanced training at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Howarth brings a combination of technical skill and artistic judgment to every procedure. The deep plane technique requires a deep understanding of facial anatomy to achieve natural-looking, seamless results.
Supportive Recovery
Healing after a deep plane facelift is carefully supported with personalized aftercare. Dr. Howarth and her team provide detailed recovery instructions, close follow-up, and thoughtful guidance to help you heal comfortably and confidently.
Begin Your Transformation
Meet your surgeon
Ashley Lynn Howarth, MD, FACS
Dr. Ashley Howarth is a board-certified plastic surgeon who completed her training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Mayo Clinic Arizona. Prior to that, she trained in general surgery at Texas A&M Baylor Scott & White, and earned her medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. With nine years of combined surgical training, few surgeons possess the level of academic experience as Dr. Howarth.
She has quickly become one of Arizona’s most in-demand plastic surgeons, recognized for her surgical precision, natural aesthetic, and obsession with detail. Her clinical interests include cosmetic surgery of the face, breasts, and body, and she is known for delivering results that are refined, balanced, and thoughtfully executed.
In addition to her surgical practice, Dr. Howarth serves as an Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at Mayo Clinic, where she helps train the next generation of plastic surgeons. She also serves as the youngest board member and Member-at-Large for the Arizona Society of Plastic Surgeons, a leadership role awarded by her peers.
As a working mother of three young boys, Dr. Howarth understands the challenges that women face. Her care is grounded in empathy, honesty, and individualized attention, with the goal of helping every patient feel confident, supported, and beautifully themselves throughout the entire process.
She proudly supports the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and sponsors their Celebrate Youth Gala each year. She also mentors young women interested in medicine and surgery by offering shadowing opportunities and career guidance, continuing her dedication to helping others grow—both in and out of the operating room.
“My life feels full and wonderful due to this transformation. I’m blessed to have had Dr. Howarth complete my surgery. Don’t wait to love your body and yourself!” – M.A.
FAQ
What concerns can a deep plane facelift address?
A deep plane facelift addresses sagging in the midface, loss of cheek volume, jowling along the jawline, and neck laxity. By lifting and repositioning the deeper facial structures, it restores youthful contours, improves facial harmony, and creates a more refreshed, rested appearance without looking pulled or artificial.
How is a deep plane facelift different from a traditional facelift?
A traditional facelift typically focuses on tightening the skin and superficial tissues, which can sometimes result in a taut or unnatural appearance. A deep plane facelift, by contrast, releases and repositions the deeper layers of the face—the SMAS and facial fat pads—allowing the skin to naturally redrape over a restored foundation. This technique creates softer, more authentic results that age more gracefully over time.
What is recovery like after a deep plane facelift?
You can expect swelling, bruising, and a feeling of tightness in the first 10 to 14 days. Most patients feel ready for light activities after about two weeks and return to social activities within three to four weeks. Dr. Howarth and her team provide personalized aftercare instructions and close follow-up, ensuring that your healing process is smooth, supported, and designed for the best possible outcome.
Will I have visible scars after a deep plane facelift?
Incisions are placed discreetly around the natural creases of the ears and, when necessary, along the hairline. Dr. Howarth’s meticulous suturing techniques promote excellent scar healing. With proper aftercare, scars typically fade beautifully and are virtually undetectable, allowing you to wear your hair up or down with confidence.
Is a deep plane facelift right for me?
Ideal candidates are generally healthy individuals, often in their 40s to 70s, who have noticeable sagging in the midface, jawline, or neck but still retain good skin elasticity. During your consultation, Dr. Howarth will carefully evaluate your facial anatomy, discuss your goals, and help you determine whether a deep plane facelift—or another approach—is best suited to achieving the results you envision.
How long do deep plane facelift results last?
Deep plane facelift results are among the most enduring in facial surgery. Because the deeper structures are repositioned—not just the skin—patients typically enjoy youthful, natural-looking contours for 10 years or more. Healthy skincare habits, sun protection, and a balanced lifestyle help maximize the longevity of your results.
How much does a deep plane facelift cost in Scottsdale?
The cost of a deep plane facelift depends on the complexity of the procedure and whether additional treatments, such as eyelid surgery or neck lift, are performed at the same time. After your consultation, you’ll receive a detailed, personalized quote. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon with specific expertise in deep plane techniques is essential to achieving the safest, most natural outcome.
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