An endoscopic deep plane facelift lifts the mid and upper face through tiny hidden scalp incisions using a camera, while releasing the deep plane beneath the SMAS. The cheek and midface are repositioned vertically for a natural, unoperated, long-lasting result — with far smaller scars than a classic facelift.
An endoscopic deep plane facelift repositions the sagging midface and brow vertically, through small hidden scalp incisions, by releasing the deep plane beneath the SMAS. It takes 2–4 hours under general anesthesia, leaves no long facial scar, and most patients return to social life in 7–10 days.
- It combines endoscopic access (tiny hidden incisions + camera) with a deep plane release for a natural vertical lift.
- Best for a dropped midface, cheek flattening and deep nasolabial folds — and a descended brow/temple.
- Scars are hidden in the hairline; there is no long scar in front of the ear.
- General anesthesia, 2–4 hours; back to social life in 7–10 days.
- Often combined with a deep plane facelift, neck lift or fat transfer.
- The vertical, deep-plane lift looks natural and lasts for years.
| At a Glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Procedure | Endoscopic deep plane facelift — camera-assisted midface/upper-face lift |
| Duration | 2–4 hours |
| Anesthesia | General (sometimes sedation + local) |
| Hospital stay | 1 night |
| Back to social life | 7–10 days; heavy activity ~3–4 weeks |
| Scars | Hidden in the temple/scalp hairline |
| Longevity | Lasting; years of a lifted midface |
| Who it suits | Midface descent with good skin, in good health |
Contents— 23 sections
Procedures are performed in accredited, approved operating rooms.
A facial-rejuvenation-focused, ISAPS & TSPRAS-member surgeon.
One point of contact from pre-assessment to follow-up.
Multilingual communication for international patients; your data is protected.
What Is an Endoscopic Deep Plane Facelift?
It is a camera-assisted (endoscopic) lift of the mid and upper face in which the deep plane beneath the SMAS is released and the cheek and brow are repositioned vertically — through small hidden scalp incisions rather than a long facial incision.
As we age, the midface fat pads and cheek descend, flattening the cheek, deepening the nasolabial folds and pulling down the brow and temple. A skin-only or purely lower-face lift does not correct this vertical descent well.
The endoscopic deep plane approach solves it in two ways. First, a fine camera passed through 1–2 cm hidden incisions in the hairline lets the surgeon work precisely without a long scar. Second, the lift is done in the deep plane — the surgeon releases the retaining ligaments beneath the SMAS so the tissue can move freely upward, which is the natural direction of rejuvenation.
It pairs naturally with a deep plane facelift for the lower face and jawline, an endoscopic facelift for the forehead, or a deep plane neck lift for the neck.
Videos: Op. Dr. Ali Çetinkaya Explains
Patient experience and more from our channel:
Technique & Facial Layers
The essence of the operation is the plane in which the lift is done. Working beneath the SMAS — in the deep plane — is what makes the result natural and lasting:
Camera-assisted, hidden scalp incisions; vertical midface/upper-face lift. The most natural, scar-light option for midface descent.
For the lower face and jawline via a hidden pre-auricular incision; the gold standard for jowls.
Same key-hole access focused on the forehead and brow.
Fold or trim the SMAS; a classic option for moderate lower-face sagging.
Threads and fillers are temporary and cannot reposition a dropped midface; only a surgical deep-plane lift does that lastingly.
Visual Technique Test: Your Face and the Right Approach
Choose the illustration closest to you and see the likely approach. This is a self-assessment, not a diagnosis.
👉 Tap the picture that looks most like you — the recommendation appears instantly.
This tool is for information only; the exact technique and suitability are determined only by examination.
Live Facelift Simulator: Sagging → Lifted
Drag the slider and watch a schematic face morph from a dropped midface to a lifted, natural contour. Fully private — no data is ever sent.
If the tool doesn’t load, open it here. This simulation is for information only and does not make a diagnosis — a definitive assessment is possible only in consultation.
Who Is a Good Candidate — and Who Is Not?
Suitable candidates
- Midface descent, cheek flattening and deep nasolabial folds
- A descended brow/temple with good skin quality
- People who want minimal scars and a fast recovery
- Non-smokers or those able to quit, with realistic goals
Situations to postpone/assess
- Very advanced lower-face jowls and neck laxity (a classic deep plane may suit better)
- Uncontrolled chronic illness or a bleeding disorder
- Active smoking (wound-healing risk)
- Expecting a change in the neck this technique does not target
An endoscopic deep plane facelift is about restoring the midface and brow; the neck and jawline are addressed with complementary procedures when needed.
What Bothers You Most?
Select what troubles you most and see a likely approach. This is preliminary; the exact plan is made in consultation.
👉 Tap the option that fits you best — you’ll instantly see guidance and a WhatsApp link.
This tool is for information only; technique and suitability are determined only by examination.
How It Compares
| Technique | Best for | Scars | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endoscopic deep plane | Midface & brow descent | Hidden in hairline | 7–10 days |
| Deep plane facelift | Lower face, jowls, jawline | Hidden around the ear | 10–14 days |
| Endoscopic facelift | Forehead & brow | Hidden in hairline | ~1 week |
| Thread lift | Very mild laxity (temporary) | None | 2–3 days |
In short: endoscopic deep plane for a dropped midface/brow with minimal scars; classic deep plane when the jowls and jawline dominate. Examination decides.
How Is It Performed? (Step by Step)
Hidden access
Through 1–2 cm incisions in the temple/scalp the endoscope is introduced — no long facial scar.
Deep-plane release
Under camera guidance the retaining ligaments are released beneath the SMAS so the midface can move.
Vertical lift & fixation
The cheek and brow are lifted vertically and fixed; small incisions are closed with hidden sutures.
Planning and vectors
Anesthesia
Endoscopic access
Deep-plane release
Vertical repositioning
Closure and dressing
Recovery — Day by Day, Week by Week
Recovery is usually faster than a full lower-face/neck facelift because the incisions are small.
Aftercare: What to Do and What to Avoid
✓ Do
- Keep the head elevated and use cold packs in the first days
- Keep scalp incisions clean and dry as advised
- Attend follow-ups and take medication as directed
- Protect healing skin from the sun
✕ Avoid
- Smoking and alcohol (impair wound healing)
- Heavy exercise, bending and straining for ~3–4 weeks
- Sauna and very hot showers early on
- Vigorous rubbing of the temples/cheeks early on
Possible Risks and Safety
In experienced hands it is safe; still, you should know the possibilities:
- Swelling & bruising: expected around the midface/temples and settles within weeks.
- Temporary sensation/expression change: usually recovers; permanent nerve injury is rare.
- Hematoma: a blood collection that is drained if needed.
- Scar issues: hairline incisions are hidden; rarely a small scar or hair thinning can occur.
- Asymmetry: small side-to-side differences can occur and are minimised with careful technique.
- Infection: rare; managed with sterile technique and follow-up.
Quitting smoking is the single most important risk-reducing step; blood thinners are adjusted with your doctor’s approval.
What to Check When Choosing a Surgeon
A surgeon who works confidently in the deep plane — not just under the skin — gives a natural, lasting lift.
Camera-assisted work needs specific training and equipment.
The procedure should only be done in an accredited facility.
A vertical, natural goal — not a pulled look — drives long-term satisfaction.
Expected Change (Medical Illustration)
By law the surgeon cannot share real patient photos. The schematic below shows the typical change: a flat, dropped midface becomes a lifted, defined cheek with softer folds.
Illustrations are for information; personal results vary with anatomy, skin quality and technique and are not guaranteed.
Why an Endoscopic Deep Plane Facelift in Istanbul?
Turkey is a leading destination for facial rejuvenation, with high surgical expertise, accredited facilities and well-organised, value-focused care.
Command of current techniques such as endoscopic and deep-plane surgery.
A transparent journey covering surgery, stay, transfer and follow-up.
Ministry-approved, health-tourism-authorised operating rooms.
A multilingual team and a personal assistant.
Why Op. Dr. Ali Çetinkaya?
Preparing for Surgery
Skin quality, degree of midface descent, health and goals are assessed; the technique is chosen.
Smoking is stopped in advance where possible; blood thinners are adjusted with approval.
Necessary blood tests and an anesthesia review are done.
Suitable time off and accommodation are planned for recovery.
Questions to Ask at Your First Consultation
To decide well, it helps to ask these at your pre-assessment:
- 1Is the endoscopic deep plane approach right for my face, or is another technique better?
- 2Where exactly will the incisions be and how hidden are they?
- 3Should the lower face, neck or brow be addressed in the same session?
- 4What vertical lift can I realistically expect for my midface?
- 5How long will recovery take and when can I return to social life?
- 6What are the risks and the chance of temporary sensation/expression change?
- 7In which approved facility and under what anesthesia is it performed?
- 8How long will the result last?
Patients From Abroad / Out of Town
We host patients from 30 countries. You just come; we coordinate the rest.
Initial planning via photos and an online consultation.
Accommodation, transfer and appointments are planned.
The procedure, 1 night stay and first check-up are completed on site.
A check before you travel back, then multilingual follow-up.
Endoscopic Deep Plane Facelift Price (2026)
A firm price is given after examination, because scope, any added procedures (neck, brow, fat transfer) and clinic conditions vary per person. So you know what is included:
Usually included in the package
- Surgeon, anesthesia and operating-room fee
- 1 night stay, dressing and medication
- Post-operative check-ups
- Transfer and coordination for international patients
Safety, the surgeon’s experience and follow-up should be your priority.
Glossary
- Endoscope
- A fine camera that lets the surgeon operate through small hidden incisions.
- Deep plane
- The layer beneath the SMAS where the retaining ligaments are released.
- SMAS
- The face’s support layer (muscle-fascia).
- Midface
- The cheek region between the eye and the mouth.
- Retaining ligaments
- Fibrous anchors that must be released for the tissue to move.
- Nasolabial fold
- The line from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth.
Myths and Facts
Let us clear up common misconceptions with the facts:
✗ Myth: “Endoscopic” means only a small, weak lift.
✓ Fact: Combined with a deep-plane release it produces a powerful, vertical, lasting lift — with smaller scars.
✗ Myth: Any facelift leaves a long scar in front of the ear.
✓ Fact: The endoscopic deep plane approach uses hidden hairline incisions; there is no long facial scar.
✗ Myth: Fillers do the same thing.
✓ Fact: Fillers add volume but cannot reposition a dropped midface; only a lift does that.
✗ Myth: The result looks pulled.
✓ Fact: A vertical, deep-plane lift looks natural and rested, not wind-swept.
