You’ve seen the buzz around the deep plane facelift—but is it truly better than a SMAS facelift, or is that just smart marketing? In this episode of Plastic Surgery T&A (Talk & Advice), Dr. Earl Stephenson, Jr. breaks down the difference between these two facelift approaches in a clear, practical way.

Dr. Steph explains what the SMAS layer is, how each technique works, and why both deep plane and SMAS facelifts can deliver excellent results in the right hands. More importantly, he shares why the best facelift is not about chasing a trendy name—it is about choosing the technique that fits your anatomy, skin quality, degree of aging, neck laxity, and midface descent.

He also discusses common misconceptions, red flags to watch for during your research, and why surgical judgment matters more than branding. If you’ve been wondering whether deep plane automatically means better, this episode will help you cut through the noise and think more clearly about what really leads to a beautiful, natural result.

CTA: Follow Plastic Surgery T&A (Talk & Advice) for honest, practical conversations about plastic surgery, aging, and aesthetic decision-making. If this episode helped you better understand facelift options, leave a review, share it with someone researching facial rejuvenation, and subscribe so you never miss an episode. To learn more or schedule a consultation with Dr. Earl Stephenson, Jr., contact ESJ Aesthetics.

Here is a slightly shorter version too, in case you want something tighter for Apple Podcasts:

Is deep plane facelift really better than SMAS—or just better marketed? In this episode of Plastic Surgery T&A (Talk & Advice), Dr. Earl Stephenson, Jr. explains the real differences between these two facelift techniques and why the best choice depends less on hype and more on anatomy, aging pattern, and surgical judgment. If you’re researching facelift options and want a clearer, more honest perspective, this episode is for you.

Follow, review, and share Plastic Surgery T&A (Talk & Advice), and contact ESJ Aesthetics to explore your facial rejuvenation options.