Face & Neck Lift in Brussels — Deep Plane technique

A face and neck lift restores the lower face and neck when skin and deeper tissues begin to sag — jowls, a blurred jawline, marionette lines, a loose neck. At the Brussels Facial Institute in Uccle, Dr Giancarlo Cantella performs this surgery using the Deep Plane technique, known for a natural, long-lasting result without the tight, "wind-swept" look. The deep plane facelift is his primary focus, and he consults in English, French and Italian.

What is a Deep Plane facelift?

Most facelifts tighten the skin and a thin surface layer of muscle (the SMAS). The Deep Plane technique works deeper: it releases the ligaments that hold the facial tissues in place, then repositions the deep layer, the SMAS and the skin together, as a single unit. Because the skin is not pulled on its own, the result looks natural, lasts longer, and restores volume to the mid-face instead of simply stretching it. The cheeks, jawline and neck are lifted in one procedure.

Deep Plane or traditional (SMAS) facelift: what is the difference?

A traditional skin or SMAS facelift tightens the surface; its effect is often shorter and can look artificial if the tension is uneven. A Deep Plane facelift repositions the deep structures, so the face recovers its shape rather than merely being pulled tight. Which technique suits you is decided in consultation, based on your anatomy and your goals.

Is a face and neck lift right for you?

It is suited to people troubled by visible sagging of the lower face and neck, usually from their late forties onwards, in good general health. During the consultation, Dr Cantella assesses your skin quality, the degree of laxity and whether the Deep Plane approach — alone or combined with eyelid surgery, lipofilling or skin resurfacing — is the right plan for you.

The procedure

The Deep Plane face and neck lift is performed under general anaesthesia or deep sedation and takes around two to three hours. The incisions are hidden around the ear and within the hairline, so scars stay discreet. Depending on the extent of surgery, you go home the same day or stay one night.

Recovery and results

Swelling and bruising are normal in the first days and settle over about two to three weeks, after which most patients feel presentable. Strenuous activity is paused for a few weeks. The result refines over the following months: a rested, coherent face and a redefined neck, with a natural effect that lasts thanks to the repositioning of the deep tissues.

International and English-speaking patients

Brussels is home to a large international community, and Dr Cantella regularly treats English-speaking and expatriate patients travelling from across Belgium and Europe. The first consultation can be held in English, and the surgical and recovery plan is organised around your travel if you are coming from abroad.

The results:

A lifting brings a great freshness to the face. The results are clear and their duration is on average ten years.

Dr. Cantella is committed to preserving the natural appearance of the face. His goal is not to change his patients, but to help them rediscover the image they once loved seeing in the mirror.

Men are increasingly coming to us with this request.

About Dr Giancarlo Cantella

Dr Giancarlo Cantella is a board-certified plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon in Uccle, Brussels, with over 20 years of experience. A graduate of UCLouvain, he trained as a specialist at the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) under Prof. Albert De Mey (CHU Brugmann), and with internationally recognised surgeons — Prof. Gilles Dautel (Nancy) and Prof. Bernard Devauchelle (Amiens). After seventeen years in the CHIREC hospital group (2006-2023), he founded the Brussels Facial Institute, with a primary focus on the deep plane facelift he performs every week.