Mini Deep Plane Facelift: Lower-Face and Neck Lifting From Within by Double Board-Certified, Face-Only Surgeon Dr. Jordan Rihani, Top Doctor Every Year Since 2015

“Every time I FaceTime my daughter and I’m staring at my image waiting for her to answer, all I see is my sagging neck.” That line, shared by a writer in AARP’s The Ethel, describes a moment many people know well: the face on the screen no longer matches how energetic you feel.

You’re not alone in that feeling. If it has led you to research a mini deep plane facelift, you’re probably asking a fair question: “Is this a real procedure, or only a marketing phrase?“

Dr. Jordan Rihani, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, puts it this way: “Aging should be a beautiful process, not a problem.” At Facial Plastic Surgery Institute (FPSI), facial rejuvenation follows the practice’s “Feel You Again” promise.

The goal is for you to look refreshed and like yourself, never “done.” Dr. Rihani treats patients in Fort Worth, Southlake, and Dallas.

This guide covers what a mini deep plane facelift treats, how long results last, what recovery looks like, and who is a good candidate.

• “Mini” facelift is a marketing term, not a defined surgical technique. Ask any surgeon which method they actually use.
• A mini deep plane approach keeps the deep plane release and shortens the incisions, which is possible when little or no skin needs to be removed.
• Deep plane lifts reposition the SMAS (the deeper support layer beneath your skin) instead of stretching the skin, allowing the skin to close without tension.
• Full deep plane facelift results may last 10 to 15 years, compared with 7 to 10 years for more traditional lifts. Results vary with your anatomy, healing, and procedure scope.
• Dr. Rihani’s Graduated Approach matches the procedure size to your anatomy instead of defaulting to the biggest lift.
• FPSI surgical quotes are all-inclusive (surgeon, anesthesia, and facility), and you receive a same-day quote after your consultation.

As we put it: “A mini facelift is not actually a facelift ‘technique.’ … If a surgeon is offering a ‘mini facelift,’ you should ask them exactly what they mean by this marketing term and what technique they are actually using.” We also describe “mini” as “a descriptor of the scar length and downtime.”

This matters because two surgeons can both offer a “mini facelift” and perform two different operations; one may lift skin alone, while the other may release the deeper support structures before lifting. The results, and how long they last, can differ widely.

A deep plane mini lift works beneath the SMAS (the deeper support layer beneath the skin) through shorter incisions than a full deep plane facelift. A skin-only mini facelift pulls and tightens the skin without repositioning the deeper structures, which is why its correction is more limited.

We describe a related variation, the ponytail facelift, as “a deep plane lift while minimizing incisions or incision length.” As we note on the same page, that approach “is nice for a limited number of patients who are experiencing some sagging of soft tissues but do not have a need for skin excision or need a limited amount of skin removed.”

Before you schedule, ask your surgeon:

• Which tissue layer will be lifted: skin only, SMAS, or deep plane with ligament release?
• Which retaining ligaments will be released?
• Where will the incisions go, and how long will they be?
• How much skin will be removed, and which areas of my face will be treated?
• How often do you perform this lift, and can I see examples?

The key layer is the SMAS, the deep support layer beneath the skin. According to Dr. Rihani, the technique releases four retaining ligaments: the zygomatic, masseteric, mandibular, and cervical ligaments. We describe these as “deep attachments that run from deeper structures up into the SMAS-skin complex.” They hold your face in its aged position.

Once these attachments are released, the technique “moves the sagging fat pads by lifting them and repositioning them to their natural positions.” This restores definition to the jawline and neck.

Because the lift comes from the SMAS layer and not from tension on the skin, the incisions close with minimal strain. As we put it on our deep plane facelift page, “The results are a full lift of the face and neck with a tensionless closure on the skin.” A tension-free closure is a major reason scars heal well and fade over time.

What makes the “mini” version shorter is the skin, not the depth. Our procedure page explains that “the length of the incisions varies based on the amount of skin removed.” If you have deeper tissue sagging but little loose skin, less skin needs to come out, and the incisions can be shorter.

Dr. Rihani decides how far the release goes and how much skin to remove based on your anatomy, using his graduated approach. Results vary with anatomy, age, and healing.

It also helps to know that “facelift” and “neck lift” name two parts of the operation. A facelift refers to the cheek component and a neck lift to the neck component, and as Dr. Rihani puts it, “most of my surgeries utilize both neck and face components.“

When the front neck muscles need work, a small incision under the chin is added. Ask which components your plan includes, because a lift focused on the jawline and neck can still involve both.

A mini deep plane facelift repositions the SMAS, the deeper support layer beneath the skin, along with the fat pads that have drifted down with it, without pulling on the skin itself. By lifting this structural foundation from within, the procedure tends to deliver steadier, more natural-looking results than skin-only techniques.

During the procedure, sagging fat pads go back to where they used to sit. As we explain on our deep plane facelift page, the technique “moves the sagging fat pads by lifting them and repositioning them to their natural positions.“

When the jowls move upward, the volume shift sharpens the jawline. In our words, “By repositioning these jowls, the volume is redistributed upward to create a sharp, smooth jawline.” Moving this fat can also restore some cheek volume. How much cheek change a mini lift gives depends on the scope planned for you.

These quotes describe FPSI’s full deep plane facelift technique. At your consultation, Dr. Rihani decides how much lifting and skin removal a mini version will include. Results vary based on your anatomy, how you heal, and the scope of the procedure.

Skin-only lifts rely on skin tension to hold the result, and that is where the operated-on look comes from. The same concern applies to any traditional facelift that tightens skin without repositioning the deeper layers.

As we explain in our deep plane facelift cost guide, “If you’ve ever seen facelift outcomes that appear overly tight, pulled back, or slightly ‘windblown,’ it’s often because the procedure focused only on lifting the skin without addressing the deeper structural layers that actually support the face.“

The deep plane technique releases the retaining ligaments that anchor the deeper facial structures. The SMAS, along with the fat pads beneath it, can then move upward to a more youthful position. Because the lift comes from deeper tissue, the skin closes without tension.

At FPSI, we estimate that results from a full deep plane facelift may last 10 to 15 years, compared with 7 to 10 years for more traditional lifts. Neither option stops aging. Gravity and time keep working after any facelift.

You may also come across the “liquid facelift,” another marketing term. We are clear in our guides that a liquid facelift “is not a true facelift.” It adds volume with fillers to conceal some signs of aging, gives instant results, and is short-acting (typically 9 to 12 months), but it does not lift sagging tissue, so it is no substitute for a surgical lift when jowls and neck laxity are the concern.

The right choice depends on how much skin laxity and jowling you have. A facial plastic surgeon can examine your anatomy and tell you which option fits.

The mini variant keeps the deep plane release that repositions the SMAS layer, the deeper support layer beneath the skin, but uses shorter incisions because little or no skin needs to come out. A full deep plane facelift combines that same release with the skin removal most patients need.

You may also see the phrase “deep plane lower facelift” used for a lift focused on the lower face: the jowls, jawline, and neck. Whatever the label, ask which areas will be treated and how much skin will be removed, since those two answers define the operation.

Our guide to the deep plane lift covers the full procedure in detail.

More skin removal comes with a trade-off. We note that “most patients need some form of skin removal unless they are performing this surgery in their 40s,” and that a limited-incision lift “may not have as long of a lasting result as a true deep plane facelift with skin removal.“

As we explain in our cost guide, full deep plane facelift results “may last 10 to 15 years, compared with the 7 to 10 years typically associated with more traditional lifts.” That range applies to the full procedure, not the mini. Our comparison of facelift types lists 5 to 10 years for the ponytail facelift, the minimized-incision deep plane lift described above.

This begs the question, “Is a deep plane facelift better than an SMAS facelift?” Dr. Rihani answers candidly: “The short answer is ‘not necessarily.’ In my hands, I prefer the deep plane facelift technique as it addresses the nasolabial folds more effectively than an extended SMAS technique. It is hard to compare facelift techniques between surgeons.”

Research supports that balanced view. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of 21 studies and 2,896 patients concluded that deep plane and SMAS facelifts “both provide robust and long-term outcomes with high patient satisfaction.” Your surgeon’s experience with a technique matters as much as its name.

Dr. Rihani’s graduated approach matches the lift to your anatomy. A mini may fit sagging without much loose skin. A full deep plane facelift may fit the more common combination of sagging tissue and excess skin. Results vary from patient to patient.

That structural approach is where the main benefits come from:

• A defined jawline: Jowl volume is moved upward instead of being pulled sideways.
• A natural look: The skin closes without tension, which avoids the windblown appearance.
• Shorter incisions: When little skin needs removing, the scars can be shorter and follow natural creases around the ear and hairline.
• Longer-lasting correction than skin-only lifts: The deeper structures, not just the surface, are repositioned.

For context, we share the improvement we see with our full deep plane facelift. Describing the area around the mouth known as the smile lines, we generally say that these improve by around 80%, marionette lines improve by 70%, and nasolabial folds improve by 30%. These figures reflect the full procedure. A mini deep plane facelift may produce more modest change, depending on your scope and anatomy.

With better neck and jawline definition, we note that “some believe” patients look 10 to 15 years younger. That is the practice’s observation, not a promise. Many patients say their “appearance finally reflects their energy and spirit,” as described in our deep plane facelift cost guide.

One FPSI patient came in with heavy upper eyelids, neck laxity, and jowling. Her plan was a full deep plane face and neck lift, not a mini, designed to restore her natural neckline and jawline. View our Gallery to see real before-and-after results.

As one patient wrote on RealSelf: “I asked for a natural look and got just that: a younger, softer me.”

Results vary based on your anatomy, healing, and the scope of the procedure.

Common traits of good candidates:

• Early signs of facial aging: Mild jowls, a softening jawline, or early neck sagging, with skin that still has good elasticity.
• Good general health: Uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and heart disease are contraindications. Nicotine use and some medications, including anticoagulants and immunomodulators, can increase the risk of adverse outcomes, so we recommend working with your primary care physician to optimize your health before your consultation.
• Realistic expectations: An understanding of results, recovery time, bruising, and swelling.

What about age? Is a deep plane facelift an option in your 40s? Patients in their 40s with early lower-face sagging may qualify.

We observed that most patients need some form of skin removal. Our guide to the deep plane facelift in your 40s explains that “the ’40s advantage’ often refers to better tissue quality.” Candidacy depends on your anatomy and signs of aging, not age alone.

Many patients arrive after years of injectables. When fillers no longer correct structural sagging, that is a common sign it’s time to consider a surgical option.

If you have marked neck laxity, a lot of loose skin, or sagging that reaches the midface, a fuller deep plane lift may serve you better than a mini facelift. This is where Dr. Rihani’s Graduated Approach comes in.

As he puts it: “To think there is one simple solution for such a complex area as the face would simply not be true… I do not try to force one solution onto every patient...” He rates each concern by severity and decides your final candidacy at consultation.

A full deep plane facelift or neck lift is a better fit than a mini when the sagging goes beyond what shorter incisions can correct. On our page on face and neck sagging, we call neck sagging and jowling “one of the most common complaints by patients.”

Signs a larger procedure fits better:

• Jowls that extend well past the jawline
• Loose neck skin or visible vertical banding
• Excess skin that needs removing, which we note is true of most patients
• Sagging that reaches the midface, affecting the cheeks and nasolabial folds

When sagging involves the cheeks, jawline, and neck together, we usually recommend a full deep plane facelift and neck lift instead of a short-incision mini.

Neck liposuction may be an alternative when your main concern is fullness under the chin rather than loose skin. We note that the ideal candidate is a younger patient or a patient “with good skin elasticity,” and that the procedure “may also be performed along with face and neck lifting.”

Dr. Rihani rates each concern by severity under his Graduated Approach. The right procedure size is set at consultation, not chosen in advance. Results vary with anatomy, healing, and procedure scope.

The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia, meaning you are fully asleep, as we explain in our cost guide. An anesthesiologist monitors you continuously, allowing Dr. Rihani to focus on the surgery itself.

Incisions are placed in the natural creases around the ear and behind the hairline. We note that incision length “varies based on the amount of skin removed,” so a lift that removes little skin can use shorter incisions.

Once the skin is raised, Dr. Rihani opens and elevates the SMAS and releases the retaining ligaments that anchor the sagging tissue. These ligaments act as tethers: as long as they stay attached, the tissue they hold resists lifting. Which ligaments we release depends on your anatomy and the planned scope, and we decide that at your consultation.

After the release, the SMAS and jowl fat move upward. This sharpens the jawline and smooths the neck without pulling the skin. We secure the lifted SMAS with sutures, and trim any excess skin conservatively.

This is different from SMAS plication, in which the deep layer is folded and stitched under the skin without releasing the ligaments. The effects typically last 1 to 5 years, compared with 10 to 15 years for a deep plane facelift.

The final step is a tension-free skin closure. Dr. Rihani performs meticulous closures with small sutures to ensure the best possible closure.

You prepare for a mini deep plane facelift by starting with a consultation, where Dr. Rihani reviews your health history and gives you preoperative instructions on medications, supplements, and smoking that fit your surgical plan. Following them closely supports safe healing.

Preparation checklist:

• Arrange postoperative care: Line up a caregiver for the first night, or book FPSI’s Recovery Concierge private nurse. As we note on our FAQs page, 16 hours are included in the facelift package, and you can add more time or services.
• Plan your time off: FPSI recommends two to three weeks off work. Some patients can be out in public earlier, though this depends on your healing.
• Follow preoperative instructions: Stick to Dr. Rihani’s guidance on medications, supplements, and smoking.
• Work toward your goal weight: We recommend reaching your goal weight before surgery, noting that “even 5 to 10 lbs may make a difference” to the amount of excess skin present.
• Arrange transportation: You will need someone to drive you and stay with you for the first 24 hours after anesthesia.

If you’re traveling from out of town, you can start with a $150 virtual consultation if an in-office visit is not possible. That amount applies toward your procedure. When planning your trip, our traveling patients page lists hotel options near both offices, which are less than 10 miles from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Airport.

Dr. Rihani treats patients from across the U.S. Although patients are usually cleared to fly eight days after surgery, we typically ask facelift patients to stay in town for the first two weeks for follow-up appointments.

Here’s a general overview of what recovery is like post-op:

Days 1 to 3: Peak swelling and bruising. Swelling and bruising increase during roughly the first three days, then begin to ease. You wear a face and neck wrap overnight. The dressing and drains come off the next day, and you can shower then.

Some patients feel discouraged by the swelling in these early days. That is normal, and it passes. Healing varies from patient to patient.

Weeks 1 to 3: Return to public activity. Around days 7 to 10, swelling and appearance usually improve quickly, and your jawline definition starts to show. Some bruising may still be present, and cool compresses in the evening can help if your face and neck feel tight.

We generally say about 80% of the swelling is gone by week two. We recommend two to three weeks off work, and most patients look presentable in public around the two-week mark. Facelift patients can usually drive again at two weeks.

Weeks 4 to 6: Getting back to activity. Avoid strenuous activities that cause sweating, an increased heart rate, or pressure on the face for at least six weeks. This protects the repositioned SMAS and ligaments while they settle.

Light walking is encouraged. We recommend waiting until about eight weeks for activities such as golf and tennis.

Here are a few guidelines to help you plan your recovery:

• Washing: Once the dressing and drains come off the day after surgery, you can shower and wash your hair, using the gentle face wash we supply for the first two weeks in place of your regular shampoo and conditioner.
• Alcohol: Wait until you are no longer taking pain medication. Alcohol acts as a blood thinner and can increase bleeding and bruising, and we recommend that you abstain for several weeks while you heal.
• Skin care and makeup: Most patients can return to their normal skin care, makeup, and hair products after two weeks.
• Hair coloring: You can have your hair colored six weeks after surgery.
• BOTOX®: BOTOX® can usually be resumed at the two- to three-month mark.

The support you get during mini deep plane facelift recovery includes 16 hours of private Recovery Concierge nursing in our facelift package, with the option to add more time or services. The service is designed for patients who can’t travel with a caregiver.

Dr. Rihani stays personally involved. “He even checked on me personally the evening after my procedure, which meant so much,” as shared by Kara E. She added: “Throughout recovery, he anticipated my questions and addressed concerns before I even had to ask.”

That contact continues over the following weeks. As one patient review on Vitals put it: “He called every week to check on me and never lost patience with my anxiety.”

Our follow-up visit schedule is one day, one week, two weeks, one month, three months, six months, nine months, and one year post-op. Most patients can go out in public or return to work around two to three weeks, though healing varies from patient to patient.

The procedure repositions the SMAS and closes without skin tension. That is why deep plane results hold up longer than skin-only lifts, and why the face is less likely to look pulled as it ages.

For the full procedure, we report that deep plane results “may last 10 to 15 years, compared with the 7 to 10 years typically associated with more traditional lifts.” That range applies only to the full deep plane facelift. We also note that a lift with limited skin removal “may not have as long of a lasting result as a true deep plane facelift with skin removal.“

So, does that mean you can expect your mini lift results to last 10 years? What does a deep plane facelift look like after 10 years? Facial aging continues, but from a better starting point.

As we tell prospective patients: “The aging will continue, but a patient who has undergone the surgery will generally look better than before,” and that “some patients may elect to undergo a second procedure after 10 to 15 years or so.“

Published research points to similar timing. A 30-year review of one surgeon’s revision facelifts, published in Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine, found that among the 93 revision lifts studied, the average interval between the first deep plane facelift and the second lift was 10.9 years.

The surgery treats the skin laxity you have today, and aging carries on afterward. The result should not be considered permanent.

Dr. Rihani does not recommend collagen-inducing “skin-tightening” treatments after surgery. As he explains, “Many treatments that tout ‘skin tightening’ actually can destroy valuable fat below the skin, creating more skin creepiness over the long term.”

Because a mini removes less skin, it may cost less than a full deep plane facelift. Each case depends on your anatomy, degree of skin laxity, jowling, and goals.

For reference, our deep plane facelift cost guide gives these figures:

• Deep plane facelift: $25,000 to $50,000. This figure often reflects the surgical fee alone and may not include anesthesia and operating-room fees.
• Standalone deep plane facelift with Dr. Rihani: typically in the low $30,000 range, depending on your surgical plan.
• Full plans that add eyelid surgery, a brow lift, or fat transfer: commonly $40,000 to $75,000.

Fees are adjusted about every six months, and your consultation gives you the current figure.

Elsewhere, anesthesia and OR fees are often billed separately, which can add thousands to what you expected to pay. Our surgical quotes are “all-inclusive and cover the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, and facility costs.” That means you see the full investment up front.

The price reflects Dr. Rihani’s expertise as a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who operates only on the face, as well as the complexity of your case.

Deep plane work requires specialized skill, precise suturing, and time in the operating room. Your degree of laxity, jowling, and the ligaments that need release all shape the final figure.

For comparison, some surgeons with a large social media presence may charge $250,000 to $400,000 for similar procedures. Much of that cost may reflect visibility and branding rather than meaningful differences in surgical fundamentals or outcomes.

A mini deep plane facelift is worth it when its scope matches your anatomy and goals. Value comes from fit, not from choosing the smallest or largest procedure.

Compare the ongoing cost of injectables:

• BOTOX®: $300 to $600 every three to six months
• Over 10 years: $6,000 to $24,000, without addressing deep jowling or sagging skin

Deep plane facelift results may last 10 to 15 years because the SMAS is repositioned, not the skin stretched. A mini may cost less than a full lift because it’s a smaller procedure, but the full quote depends on your specific case.

If cost is a concern, CareCredit® offers No Interest if Paid in Full promotional plans of 6, 12, 18, or 24 months, depending on eligibility. For example, a $30,000 procedure on a 24-month 0% promotional plan works out to about $1,250 per month. This is an example only. It depends on your eligibility and is not an offer.

Common add-ons and what each one treats:

• Brow lift: lifts a low, heavy brow that makes you look tired or stern.
• Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty): corrects hooded upper lids or puffy under-eye bags.
• Neck lift: tightens loose skin and visible bands along the neck.
• Fat transfer: restores lost volume to the midface and cheeks using your own fat.

Dr. Rihani performs fat transfer in about 50% of his facelifts for patients with available donor fat, usually taken from the abdomen or thighs. For patients who don’t need much volume or have no fat to use, fillers may be used after healing, usually around six months after surgery.

Combining procedures means you recover once instead of spacing surgeries over several years. As we noted in our cost guide, “anesthesia and facility fees are typically paid once, bundling procedures may reduce overall costs.” Healing may take a little longer when more areas are treated.

Under the Graduated Approach, Dr. Rihani recommends add-ons only when your anatomy calls for them, never as an upsell.

• Double board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) and the American Board of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery (ABOHNS)
• Fellowship-trained under Drs. E. Gaylon McCollough and Fred Fedok
• Clinical Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center
• More than 15 years’ experience in facial rejuvenation surgery
• Top Doctor recognition from 360West Magazine every year since opening in 2015

FPSI performs facial cosmetic surgery exclusively. As we put it on our deep plane page, “Dr. Rihani and his team of professionals perform facial cosmetic surgery exclusively.” Every surgical plan, incision placement, and recovery protocol centers on the face.

Dr. Rihani’s academic work includes a peer-reviewed paper in the Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B: Skull Base (2015), listed in UT Southwestern’s publications database. The paper is not about facelifts; it reflects his academic training.

Patient ratings, by platform (as of October 2026):

• Birdeye: 5.0 (83 reviews, Fort Worth) and 4.9 (170 reviews, Southlake), as of September 2026
• Vitals: 4.8 (24 ratings)
• U.S. News: 5.0 (117 reviews)
• Healthgrades: 4.9 (57 reviews)
• RealSelf: 5.0

As Becky T. shared: “From my consultation through my surgery and with my aftercare, I have been treated with nothing less than 5-star treatment.“

How to choose a surgeon for a mini deep plane facelift:

• Facial plastic board certification: Look for certification by the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.
• Performs deep plane facelifts routinely: As we note, “if a surgeon does not routinely perform deep plane facelifts, then the technique may be more challenging.”
• Can explain what “mini” means: Your surgeon should name the technique, the layers involved, and how much skin will be removed in your case.
• Has a real before-and-after gallery: We call before-and-afters “the most important factors when choosing your surgeon.”
• Gives an all-inclusive quote: The surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, and facility costs should appear in one figure, with no surprise charges.
• Maintains current certifications and strong reviews: We advise confirming that a surgeon maintains the proper certifications, has good patient reviews, and performs a high volume of facelifts each year.

Word of mouth helps too. Many of our patients find the practice through word of mouth, and if you know someone who has had a facelift, it helps to talk with them about their experience.

FPSI meets each of these standards. Through the Graduated Approach, you get the procedure your anatomy calls for, not the biggest one available.

• Fort Worth office: 800 8th Ave #400, Fort Worth, TX 76104 | (817) 529-3232
• Southlake office: 171 W Southlake Blvd, Suite 100, Southlake, TX 76092 | (817) 328-8380

During your visit, Dr. Rihani looks at your jowling, neck laxity, skin quality, and jawline definition. Using his Graduated Approach, he confirms whether a mini deep plane approach fits your anatomy or whether another plan would work better. You’ll leave with a same-day, all-inclusive quote covering the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, and facility costs.

If a sagging jawline or neck has been bothering you, a mini deep plane facelift may be a natural, lasting way to address it. To see whether it’s right for you, schedule a consultation by calling either office or completing the Inquire Now form.

Out-of-town patients can book a virtual consultation for $150, which is applied toward your procedure if you decide to move forward with your mini deep plane facelift.