The New Preservation Facelift & the New Deep Plane

A preservation facelift is an approach to facial rejuvenation that seeks to maintain the natural connections between the skin, underlying tissues, and deeper facial structures wherever possible.Rather than extensively separating the skin from the underlying facial layers, preservation-oriented techniques often emphasize limited skin undermining and repositioning tissues together.The objective is to achieve meaningful rejuvenation while avoiding unnecessary disruption of the structures that support blood supply, natural movement, and facial expression.Preservation describes a surgical philosophy, not one universally standardized operation. Surgeons may use the term to describe somewhat different techniques.

The term preservation facelift has gained attention in recent years, but many of the underlying principles, including respect for facial anatomy, tissue preservation and structural support, have been explored in plastic surgery for decades. The exact techniques used vary between surgeons. At The Maercks Institute, Dr Rian A. Maercks approaches facial rejuvenation through the principle of histocentricity, a tissue-centred philosophy he developed in 2008.

Not necessarily. Preservation facelift is a broad term used to describe approaches that prioritise natural anatomy and tissue preservation. The MAERCKS Lift™ is Dr Maercks’ specific approach to facial rejuvenation, informed by his histocentric philosophy and emphasis on structural support. Patients should discuss the precise surgical technique and its suitability during a consultation.

The MAERCKS Lift™ is built around the philosophy that facial rejuvenation should restore the structures responsible for facial support rather than relying primarily on tension placed on the skin or lateral SMAS.Its distinguishing element is KEDGE Suspension™, Dr. Maercks' technique for recruiting the deep retaining ligament system to carry the principal lifting support.Think of a tree.The roots remain strong, but the smaller connections between the roots and branches can weaken.Similarly, Dr. Maercks emphasizes that the deep ligamentous attachments of the face can remain remarkably strong even as the overlying tissue relationships change with aging.By carefully identifying, releasing where necessary, preserving, and repositioning these structures, the MAERCKS Lift™ seeks to restore the patient's own facial volume to a more youthful anatomical position.The intended result is a face that appears refreshed and naturally supported rather than visibly pulled.Preserve the tissue. Restore the structure. Let the skin follow.

The phrase New Deep Plane does not identify one universally recognized, standardized facelift procedure.Surgeons use variations of the term to describe different approaches to deeper facial anatomy, tissue repositioning, and fixation.Some may represent meaningful refinements.Others may describe techniques built on anatomical concepts that have existed for many years.The question is not how new the name sounds. The question is what the surgeon actually does beneath the skin.A facelift should be evaluated by its anatomical rationale, the surgeon's training and judgment, the patient's outcome, and the associated risks, not by terminology alone.

Facial surgery involves far more than learning where to place an incision or how to perform one lifting maneuver.It requires understanding anatomy, facial nerve relationships, tissue handling, blood supply, wound healing, complications, and the interaction between facial aesthetics and function.Excellent facial surgeons can emerge from different recognized training pathways.However, those pathways are not interchangeable, and patients deserve to know which training their surgeon actually completed.At The Maercks Institute, Dr. Maercks advocates for transparency about residency training, board certification, fellowship experience, and the specific operations a surgeon performs.A technique's name cannot substitute for a surgeon's education.

The philosophy of preserving tissue relationships also informs the broader patient experience at The Maercks Institute.The Institute's Zero Experience™ is organized around three aspirational pillars:Zero PainZero General AnesthesiaZero Social DowntimeThe MAERCKS Lift™ can be performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the patient and procedure. The Institute's Exparel-based tumescent analgesia protocol is designed to improve comfort during surgery and recovery.Limited unnecessary dissection, careful hemostasis, anatomical preservation, and structural suspension are intended to support a more comfortable recovery.These are treatment goals, not guarantees. Pain, swelling, bruising, complications, and recovery time vary between patients.

Histocentricity is a tissue-centred philosophy of facial surgery developed by Dr Rian A. Maercks in 2008. It focuses on understanding the relationship between facial tissue layers, underlying anatomy and retaining ligaments when planning facial rejuvenation. This philosophy informs Dr Maercks’ approach to facial surgery and the development of the MAERCKS Lift™.

A preservation facelift generally describes an approach that prioritises maintaining natural tissue relationships and minimising unnecessary disruption. A deep plane facelift refers to a surgical technique that works within deeper anatomical layers to reposition facial tissues. The approaches are not necessarily mutually exclusive, and techniques vary between surgeons. The most suitable option depends on individual anatomy, aesthetic goals and a surgeon’s assessment.

Facial retaining ligaments help support and organise the soft tissues of the face. Their relationship with surrounding tissue layers can influence facial contour and how tissues change with age. Understanding these structures is an important consideration in facelift planning, although the approach to individual ligaments depends on the surgical technique and the patient’s anatomy.

The appropriate facelift technique depends on factors such as facial anatomy, skin and tissue characteristics, the degree of ageing, medical history and personal goals. A consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon allows these factors to be assessed and the potential benefits, limitations, risks and recovery associated with different procedures to be discussed.