Vertical Restore vs Deep Plane Facelift: Key Differences Explained

By Dr Scott J Turner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) | Bondi Junction, Sydney

Two terms keep coming up in Bondi Junction consulting rooms lately: “Vertical Restore” and “deep plane facelift.” Patients arrive having spent hours on YouTube and Instagram, and they want to know — which one’s actually better? It’s a reasonable question. But the answer is more nuanced than most websites will tell you.

Here’s the short version. Both techniques belong to the same family of advanced structural facelift surgery. Both work beneath the superficial layers of the face. And both aim to reposition descended tissue rather than just pulling your skin tighter. The differences are real, but they’re more about surgical philosophy and planning than about one being “superior” to the other. If you’re searching for “Deep Plane Facelift Sydney” or “Vertical Restore Facelift Bondi Junction” — this article will give you the clarity that most comparison pages don’t.

First, Understand the Deep Plane Facelift

The deep plane facelift has been around for decades in the medical literature. It was a genuine leap forward from earlier skin-tightening methods — the ones responsible for that overdone, “windswept” look you’ve probably seen.

So what actually happens? The surgeon works beneath a layer called the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system). Think of the SMAS as a sheet of fibrous tissue sitting between your skin and the deeper facial muscles. In a deep plane procedure, the surgeon releases key retaining ligaments — zygomatic, masseteric, mandibular — that anchor your facial tissue in position. Once those are freed, the whole composite unit (SMAS, fat, and skin together) can be lifted and repositioned as one piece. That’s fundamentally different from older methods, where you’d tighten the skin in one direction and the deeper tissue in another.

The main targets? Midface descent — that’s the flattened cheeks and deepening nasolabial folds you notice in the mirror. Jowl formation along the jawline. And varying degrees of neck laxity. Because skin stays attached to its underlying support, there’s less tension on the closure. Less tension generally means less visible scarring and softer, more natural tissue settling.

What does the research say? A retrospective study in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum found that 87% of deep plane patients rated their outcomes as excellent or very good. Complications are well documented — temporary nerve symptoms crop up more often than with simpler SMAS facelift methods, but they’re manageable when the surgeon knows the anatomy well.

One thing worth noting: the classic deep plane vector is oblique-superior — angled up and toward the ear. Plenty of surgeons now incorporate vertical elements depending on what the patient’s face needs. That detail matters — more on it below.

What Is a Vertical Restore Facelift?

The Vertical Restore is a facelift protocol pioneered by Dr Amir Karam in San Diego. It’s had enormous visibility through social media, which is partly why so many patients in Sydney and the Eastern Suburbs are asking about it.

At its core? Same deep-tissue principles. Sub-SMAS dissection, ligament release, composite tissue mobilisation. The difference lies in how those principles get applied. The Vertical Restore treats the lateral brow, midface, jawline, and neck as one connected unit — all addressed in a single operation. And the vector emphasis is firmly vertical. Up, not sideways.

The logic is straightforward. Gravity pulls your face downward. So the correction should work against that downward drift, not create a horizontal pull toward the ears. That horizontal pull is what gives patients the tight, unnatural appearance they’re rightly worried about.

Now — here’s where the confusion starts. The Vertical Restore is not a fundamentally different plane of surgery. It sits within the same sub-SMAS, ligament-release family as the deep plane. It’s basically a packaged way of applying those same principles across more facial zones, with the vector pointed straight up. Many experienced facelift surgeons already think this way when planning surgery. The Vertical Restore packages that thinking into a branded, recognisable framework.

The real difference? Surgical philosophy and vector planning — not the depth of dissection.

One important caveat. The independent evidence base for the Vertical Restore is more limited than for the deep plane. Most of what’s published comes from the originating practice and surgeons who’ve adopted the method, rather than independent peer-reviewed comparative trials. That doesn’t make it ineffective — but patients should know where the data stands.

Vertical Restore vs Deep Plane: Side-by-Side Comparison

At a Glance

That table tells you something important. The anatomy and the depth of work overlap heavily. Where they diverge is in the direction of lift and how many zones get treated in one go.

Direction of lift: Classic deep plane favours an oblique-superior angle, though good surgeons adapt this per patient. The Vertical Restore leans heavily vertical — straight up against gravity.

Scope: A standard deep plane addresses the midface, jawline, and jowls. Neck and brow often get handled separately. The Vertical Restore bundles the lateral brow, midface, jawline, and neck into a single surgical plan.

Neck work: Vertical Restore tends to include more aggressive platysma work as standard. With a deep plane approach, the degree of neck lift work depends on what your neck actually needs — and may be done as a complementary step.

Evidence: Deep plane facelifts have been studied in multiple peer-reviewed series. The Vertical Restore’s published evidence comes mostly from case series and before-and-after galleries from surgeons who perform the technique.

Recovery After Advanced Facelift Surgery

Here’s the honest truth — the recovery timeline for both is pretty similar. You’re looking at bruising and swelling for two to three weeks. Residual puffiness hangs around for four to six weeks. Most patients get back to desk work and social commitments around weeks two to three.

No gym, no heavy lifting for at least six weeks. That’s non-negotiable.

If you’ve had a Vertical Restore that addresses brow through to neck in one session, expect a bit more early swelling — simply because more tissue has been mobilised. A focused deep plane targeting fewer zones might settle slightly faster. Either way, final settling takes six to twelve months. Patience matters with this kind of surgery.

Which Approach Suits You?

Neither is universally better. That’s probably not the definitive answer you were hoping for, but it’s the honest one. The best facelift for you depends on your anatomy, your ageing pattern, and what you want to achieve — not a brand name.

A deep plane facelift might suit you if your main concerns are prominent nasolabial folds, cheek descent, and early jowl formation, with moderate neck changes that can be addressed through the same access.

A Vertical Restore approach tends to appeal when the ageing is more global. Your brow has dropped. Midface has flattened. Jawline has blurred. The neck has loosened. All part of the same pattern. If you’re after a single-stage procedure addressing the entire outer frame — from temple to neck — this philosophy may match your goals well.

But here’s what matters: a skilled facelift surgeon can incorporate vertical vectors, extended ligament release, and multi-zone planning regardless of what the technique gets called. The label matters less than the surgeon’s ability to read your face and plan accordingly.

Vertical Restore vs Deep Plane in Sydney: Does Location Matter?

Advanced structural facelift surgery demands a detailed understanding of facial retaining ligaments and three-dimensional vector planning. These are skills that come with focused subspecialty training — and not every surgeon offering facelifts in Sydney performs deep-tissue techniques routinely. That experience gap matters when you’re choosing between a deep plane facelift and a Vertical Restore.

At FacePlus Aesthetics in Bondi Junction, all facelift surgery happens in fully accredited private hospitals with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) performing the procedure. Whether a deep plane, Vertical Restore, short scar facelift, or ponytail facelift is the right fit — that gets determined during your consultation. It’s individually tailored. Not template surgery.

Choosing a Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Bondi Junction

It’s easy to get caught up comparing technique names. The more useful question? Whether your surgeon holds appropriate qualifications, operates in accredited facilities, and actually performs deep-tissue facelift surgery regularly.

Look for a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with FRACS credentials whose practice focuses on facial aesthetic surgery — not general plastic surgery. During your consultation, they should be upfront about risks and complications and explain why they’re recommending a specific approach for your anatomy.

If you’re considering a Deep Plane or Vertical Restore facelift in Sydney and want an individual assessment, consultations are available at our Bondi Junction practice in the Eastern Suburbs. Dr Turner performs both techniques and will recommend the approach best matched to your face.