Facial aging is inevitable, yet today’s most discerning patients are seeking results that restore their appearance without altering their natural identity. Nowhere is this more evident than in Beverly Hills, where many patients want to look rested and youthful but never surgically “done.” The deep plane facelift has emerged as the gold standard for those pursuing subtle, transformative rejuvenation. Renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Catherine Chang, takes an approach that is both as meticulous as it is artistic. Known for her refined techniques and attention to natural facial harmony, Dr. Chang helps patients achieve results that are beautiful, natural-looking, and uniquely their own.
Unlike traditional facelifts that rely mainly on tightening the skin, the deep plane technique works beneath the surface. This method repositions the deeper structural layer known as the SMAS, along with the fat pads that provide youthful volume to the midface. By releasing and elevating these deeper tissues, the deep plane approach restores cheek fullness, smooths deep folds, and redefines the jawline in a way that appears effortless and soft rather than overly tight. Because the lift occurs at a deeper level, the skin is not placed under unnatural tension, which allows the face to move and express naturally.
For patients who have tried temporary solutions like fillers or thread lifts and are seeking longer-lasting correction, the deep plane facelift provides a more definitive solution. It is designed to address sagging of the midface, jowling along the jawline, and deepening nasolabial folds at their root cause, producing results that typically last a decade or longer.
Many of Dr. Chang’s patients describe a disconnect between how they feel and what they see in the mirror. They may feel vibrant, energetic, and youthful, yet notice sagging cheeks, heaviness around the mouth, or loose skin beneath the chin that creates a tired or aged appearance. These concerns often appear in the forties and fifties but can become more pronounced after significant weight loss, stress, or hormonal changes. What patients are asking for is not to look like someone else, but to look like the best version of themselves.
Hollywood has helped normalize the idea of subtle, surgical rejuvenation. Public figures such as actors, fashion designers, and Real Housewives stars have openly discussed undergoing deep plane facelifts, and their results demonstrate that when done well, the procedure can leave someone looking refreshed rather than dramatically altered. Celebrities are also known to combine their facelifts with fat transfer, upper or lower eyelid surgery, brow lifts, and fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing to achieve the most natural and balanced outcome.
Dr. Chang’s surgical philosophy is centered around creating harmony of the entire face rather than focusing on one isolated area of concern. During the facelift surgery, she meticulously releases the facial retaining ligaments, repositions the descended cheek fat pads, and contours the jawline and neck to restore youthful proportions. In many cases, she enhances the lift with fat transfer, using the patient’s own purified fat to restore volume to hollow temples, under-eye areas, and flattened cheeks.
Dr. Chang also frequently combines her facelift procedures with upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid rejuvenation, or a brow lift when these areas contribute to an overall tired expression. She is attentive to the upper third of the face, knowing that a lifted jawline will not look natural if heavy brows or drooping eyelids are left untreated. For the right candidate, she performs CO₂ laser resurfacing during the same surgery to refine skin texture, soften fine lines, and stimulate collagen production. This combination approach allows her to address not just the position of the tissues but also the quality of the skin itself.
Each surgical plan is personalized. Dr. Chang considers the patient’s anatomy, ethnicity, gender identity, and aesthetic goals, ensuring that the outcome is appropriate and maintains the unique character of the face. Her goal is never to erase age, but to help patients look rested, vibrant, and in harmony with their true selves.
Following a deep plane facelift, patients can expect some swelling and bruising that gradually resolves over the first two weeks. Most patients feel comfortable returning to social activities within two to three weeks, although residual swelling can continue to refine for several months. Fat transfer areas may initially appear slightly full before settling into a soft, natural contour. When eyelid surgery or brow lift is performed concurrently, the eyes appear brighter and more open as healing progresses. CO₂ laser resurfacing leads to a brief period of skin peeling and renewal, after which the complexion looks smoother and more even.
Patients are advised to sleep with their head elevated, avoid strenuous activity during early healing, and follow Dr. Chang’s detailed aftercare instructions, including hyperbaric oxygen, red light therapy, lymphatic drainage massage, and medical-grade skincare to support optimal recovery. As the weeks pass, patients see their facial contours sharpen, their cheeks lift, and their skin improve in texture and tone, revealing results that are youthful and refreshed.
Ideal candidates for a deep plane facelift are healthy, non-smoking individuals who are noticing moderate to advanced signs of facial aging and wish to address them comprehensively. These patients typically understand that the procedure will make them look more refreshed but not like a different person. Those who are committed to proper recovery, sun protection, and long-term skin maintenance often experience the most durable and satisfying results. Patients who are very young with minimal laxity, or those with uncontrolled medical conditions, may not be appropriate candidates until a later time or until health optimization is achieved.
The best facelifts are the ones that no one can detect. When performed with artistry and precision, the deep plane facelift simply reveals a more rested, radiant version of the patient. Dr. Catherine Chang’s reputation as a sought-after surgeon stems from her ability to create results that align seamlessly with a patient’s personality and lifestyle. For many, her comprehensive approach, combining lift, volume restoration, eyelid rejuvenation, brow positioning, and skin resurfacing, mirrors the “secret recipe” behind the faces of Hollywood elites.
For patients who wish to explore what this procedure might look like for them, the next step is a consultation. At Privé Beverly Hills, Dr. Chang takes time to listen, examine, and design a plan that reflects the individual’s goals and anatomy. Through this thoughtful, patient-centered process, she helps each patient look natural and youthful.
