Deep Plane Facelift

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A reflection that no longer mirrors your inner youthfulness. For many patients, this is a confronting moment. Most patients will first try non-surgical or less invasive treatments before considering a facelift. This is partly due to the anxiety many feel about a facelift procedure, but also because some patients are not yet mentally ready for surgery, or simply do not qualify.

When creams, laser treatments, injectables or sometimes previous facelifts fail to deliver the results you desire, the Deep Plane Facelift offers a lasting solution. The Deep Plane Facelift is the gold standard for achieving the most impactful and natural rejuvenation of your face.

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Deep Plane Facelift | Dr. Maarten Van Genechten

A Deep Plane Facelift addresses not only the skin, but also the deeper layers of the face. Rather than simply tightening the superficial skin, the underlying muscles and fat volumes are released and repositioned, returning the face to its natural, younger contours.

Facial Surgery | Dr. Maarten Van Genechten
Facial Surgery | Dr. Maarten Van Genechten

How does a Deep Plane Facelift differ from a traditional facelift?

Traditional facelift

Traditional facelift techniques focus primarily on the superficial layers of the face. Skin excess is removed and the remaining skin is tightened over the underlying structures, often without releasing the retaining facial ligaments or fixed areas of the face.

This can produce beautiful results, with wrinkles and sagging skin disappearing. However, because the underlying layers are not fully released, the results may be temporary. There is also a risk of the so-called “wind tunnel effect” if the technique is not performed with care.

Deep Plane Facelift

A Deep Plane Facelift focuses precisely on those deeper structures. The retaining facial ligaments and adhesions are fully released. The muscle layers and fat volumes are repositioned, rather than tightened.

Although a Deep Plane Facelift often takes longer and involves a slightly extended recovery, the results tend to be more natural, refined and long-lasting. A Deep Plane Facelift is the most effective and transformative procedure for correcting a wide range of signs of aging in the face.

Facial Surgery | Dr. Maarten Van Genechten

“Facial rejuvenation surgery is not about creating a certain look, but about anatomy and about restoring the effects of aging on that anatomy.”

Why choose a Deep Plane Facelift?

Every patient begins with a search. For many, this is a search for subtle changes, something a cream, injectable or laser treatment can offer. But what if those subtle changes are no longer enough? What if you no longer just want to camouflage, but truly want to rejuvenate?

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The power of the Deep Plane Facelift

The power of the Deep Plane Facelift lies in its authenticity. Your face does not change, it rejuvenates. You remain yourself, but younger, more vital and more radiant.

This procedure focuses on restoring the natural anatomy of the face, in those zones and anatomical planes where aging has left its mark. By treating the face as a whole, the result does not change your face, but rejuvenates it.

The misconception between “conservative” and “natural”

The desire to seek conservative solutions for facial rejuvenation goes hand in hand with the dogma that a conservative solution will produce the most natural result. Patients often mistakenly think: “The more conservative the treatment, the less the face changes, the more natural the result.”

The crux of the confusion lies in how we define “natural.” A conservative treatment means 1. either that only a limited part of the face is treated, 2. or that the face is treated with a more conservative technique. Conservative, however, is not the same as natural.

  1. The face ages as a whole, not just in a single area. If only a limited part of the face is treated, this will almost always produce a visibly operated result. Just as a wall or a room painted in only one spot is immediately visible to any observer. The combination of a Deep Plane Facelift with a Deep Plane Necklift and a brow reset responds to this by treating the total face. This holistic approach follows the laws of nature and provides the most natural result.
  2. Treating the face with a more conservative technique than necessary also makes no sense. Too conservative, or too invasive, does not exist. There is only appropriate or inappropriate surgery. Taking just one size down on a pair of pants that are three sizes too big still results in pants that are too big. And in the case of a facelift, an inadequate result with a dissatisfied patient.
A natural result after a facelift

Dr. Van Genechten strongly believes that a natural result can be found in the following principles:

  1. Aging occurs primarily through sagging of volumes, not loss of volume. Aging means sagging, rejuvenation therefore means lifting. During a rejuvenation procedure, it is therefore important to strictly and very specifically reverse only what aging has caused in the anatomy of the face. Sagged volumes should be lifted, not filled with fat or fillers. “Fillers fill out, they do not lift up.”
  2. Gravity acts vertically; so do aging and rejuvenation. The term “vertical” is not to be taken literally and primarily distinguishes from overly horizontal procedures, which often generate unnatural results. In rejuvenation, excess tissue is repositioned vertically from the neck to the face, and further from the face to the upper third of the face. The term “vertical” thus additionally shows that these zones are therefore often best treated together. The vectors vary zone-specifically from 75\u00b0 to 90\u00b0 and are unique to each face.
  3. A face ages as a whole. Treating the face in one area separately does not follow the laws of nature, and rarely leads to a natural result. Rejuvenation is most natural when the face is treated as a whole.
  4. The “deep plane” is an embryologically formed, naturally present gliding surface in the face. Lifting in this plane best follows the natural anatomy. It is less logical and therefore less natural to surgically create new planes to achieve a lift. Other, artificial lifting planes are less logical and often less effective.

In summary, vertical volume lifting across the entire face in the deep plane will create a natural and impactful rejuvenation. The majority of patients ask for a conservative or “controlled underdone” result because they are afraid of unnatural results. Patients do not want conservative. Patients want natural.

Facial Surgery | Dr. Maarten Van Genechten

Too early for a facelift?

It is a question many ask themselves when they start noticing the first signs of aging in their face. The answer is not always straightforward. Yet many patients choose this procedure precisely because once the signs of aging become visible, they are difficult to overlook.

There are several important aspects to consider when contemplating a facelift at a younger age. Minimally invasive procedures become less effective as the signs of aging progress. They also involve recurring costs, do not eliminate the need for a lifting procedure, and can produce unnatural results when used inappropriately.

Certain age-related features, such as festoons (chronic swelling beneath the eyes), deep static wrinkles or horizontal neck bands, may become partially or completely irreversible if not addressed in time. Delaying surgical intervention can therefore limit the potential outcome of the procedure.

The sooner signs of aging in the face are reversed, the better and the longer lasting the result. A patient who undergoes facial rejuvenation earlier will always look younger than their biological age, and will naturally enjoy the benefits for many more years.

It is, of course, important to discuss this with your surgeon. Honest and transparent advice regarding your suitability for such a procedure is essential. Advanced techniques, such as the Deep Plane Facelift, deliver natural and subtle results. This can remove any hesitation about proceeding with a facelift out of fear of conspicuous or unnatural results.

Complementary procedures

A Deep Plane Facelift offers natural results, but complementary procedures can make the result even more natural and refined. Consider a deep necklift or a brow reset. The principle here is: aging works vertically, so rejuvenation does too. Excess tissue is repositioned vertically and therefore the different levels of the face often need to be rejuvenated together.

Every patient and every face is unique, just as the aging process is influenced by both intrinsic factors and extrinsic factors such as lifestyle.

That is why Dr. Van Genechten creates a unique treatment plan for every individual. Even in twin sisters, the proposed procedures may differ. In addition, the combination of multiple procedures offers advantages, such as lower anesthesia costs and only one recovery period.

Possible procedures include

Frequently asked questions

Do you have any further questions? Feel free to ask. Contact us

When does the swelling go away?

It is very common to experience swelling after the procedure. Remember that your body is healing from surgery and that even pronounced swelling is normal.

It sometimes takes 4 to 6 weeks for the swelling to disappear. Most swelling will have resolved after the first 2 weeks.

The more active you are, the more swelling you may experience. The younger you are, the faster the swelling resolves. The older you are, the longer the swelling will persist.

Take two light walks of 30 minutes each day. This will accelerate healing by reducing postoperative swelling.

Will I have bruising after a Deep Plane Facelift?

Bruising after a facelift procedure is common. Any bruising can be covered with makeup after 3 weeks. Typically, all bruising resolves within the first 2 weeks.

Can I find good advice on the internet?

It is very difficult to find reliable information about a Deep Plane Facelift on the internet. Especially after your own procedure, asking Dr. Google or seeking advice on online platforms can lead to confusion or unnecessary concerns.

If you have any questions, please feel free to send us a WhatsApp message or call us.

What is the best sleeping position?

For minimal swelling, we advise you to sleep on your back. However, if you do not sleep well in that position, we advise you to sleep in the most comfortable position for you.

It does not have a significant impact on the final result of your facelift.

How long will my face feel numb?

It is always the case that the skin of your face and the skin around the ear is less sensitive after a Deep Plane Facelift. This is caused by the skin being released, to a limited extent, from the underlying muscle layer, and the underlying muscle layer itself always being released from the deeper structures in the face.

As a result, the finest, invisible endings of sensory nerves are inevitably disrupted. These need time to recover. Recovery often occurs in a patchwork or “patchy” pattern.

Full recovery is sometimes only definitive between 1 and 1.5 years after the procedure.

When can I take a shower after a Deep Plane Facelift?

You may shower and bathe the first day after the procedure as long as you gently clean the scars with baby shampoo and do not keep the incisions under water for too long.

Avoid water that is too hot to keep your blood pressure low.

What should I do if I have difficulty sleeping?

Make sure your pain is well controlled throughout the day. Be careful with napping during the day. Try to plan your activities as normally as possible. If you continue to experience problems, you can call us.

Is it normal to feel pressure and tightness?

It is not uncommon to feel pressure or tightness in your face or neck. Difficulty swallowing also occurs frequently. This sometimes persists for several weeks.

To relieve any pressure sensation, make sure you take your antibiotics and pain medication, sleep in an elevated position and avoid strenuous exercise.

What should I do if I think my wounds are infected?

As mentioned above, you will experience some bruising and swelling after the procedure. You should contact us if your scar begins to discharge yellowish or cloudy fluid.

If you develop new pain that is not controlled with your pain medication, if you experience persistent chills or an elevated body temperature above 38 °C, please contact us promptly.

These symptoms do not necessarily mean that you have an infection, but they are symptoms that we need to be informed about.

What should I do if I suspect skin necrosis?

Skin necrosis is a very unlikely event. In the unlikely event of necrosis, you will see a discoloration of your skin. First the skin will appear pale and then a bluish tint may appear.

If you think you see signs of discoloration of the skin next to your scar, do not hesitate to contact us. We will examine the skin as soon as possible.

What is the difference between a Deep Plane Facelift and a SMAS facelift?

In a SMAS facelift, the superficial muscle layer (SMAS) is tightened, but the skin is released separately. In a Deep Plane Facelift, the skin and SMAS are lifted as one layer and the facial ligaments are released. This allows the tissue to be repositioned without tension, resulting in a more natural and longer-lasting result with less tension on the scars.

Are facelift scars visible?

Facelift scars become barely visible when placed with careful technique. They lie in natural creases around the ear and sometimes in the hairline. In a Deep Plane Facelift, the deeper tissue layer carries the lift, so the skin bears little tension and the scars heal more finely. After 6 to 12 months, the scars are typically barely noticeable.

How long does a Deep Plane Facelift take?

A Deep Plane Facelift typically takes 4 to 6 hours, depending on the complexity and any complementary procedures such as a necklift or eyelid surgery. The longer operating time reflects the precision with which the deeper structures are treated.

Can a facelift be combined with other procedures?

Yes, a facelift is regularly combined with a deep necklift, eyelid surgery, brow reset or facial lipofilling. By treating multiple zones at the same time, a harmonious and balanced result is achieved with only one recovery period. During your consultation, Dr. Van Genechten discusses which combination is most suitable for your situation.

How long do the results of a Deep Plane Facelift last?

The results of a Deep Plane Facelift are typically longer-lasting than with other facelift techniques, because the deeper structures are repositioned. Most patients enjoy their result for 10 to 15 years. The aging process continues, but you will always look younger than you would have without the procedure.

How do I choose the best surgeon for a facelift?

Pay attention to the frequency with which the surgeon performs facelifts, the consistency of the before-and-after results and the organization of aftercare. A specialized facial surgeon who performs facelifts on a weekly basis has the experience and anatomical insight needed for a predictable and natural result. Ask about the technique used and why it is suitable for your anatomy.

How much does a Deep Plane Facelift cost in Belgium?

The price of a Deep Plane Facelift varies per patient, depending on the complexity of the procedure and any complementary procedures. During your consultation, Dr. Van Genechten creates an individual treatment plan, including a detailed price estimate. Contact us for a personal appointment.

How long is the recovery after a facelift?

Most patients are socially and professionally active again after 2 to 3 weeks. Swelling and stiffness gradually decrease in the first weeks. After approximately 3 months, most patients are fully recovered for social occasions. The definitive result of the procedure is visible after 12 to 16 months.

Is a Deep Plane Facelift safe?

A Deep Plane Facelift is an advanced but safe procedure when performed by an experienced facial surgeon. Dr. Van Genechten is specialized in craniomaxillofacial surgery and exclusively performs procedures in the face. All risks are discussed thoroughly during the consultation.

Results

A facial rejuvenation procedure is a choice you make for yourself, not for the outside world. It is a decision that matures quietly, in all serenity and purely for you. In our practice, discretion is an absolute standard. Privacy is not a detail, but a cornerstone. The vast majority of our patients consciously choose to keep their results private.

What you see here is exceptional. Only a small number of patients have granted us permission to share their results. Out of respect for their trust and generosity, we wish to acknowledge this explicitly. They help others make an informed decision. These images are not a showcase, but a discreet compass, honest and invaluable.

More results

Brow symmetry or symmetry in general can never be the goal of surgery. But sometimes it is the result of restoring anatomy. When I look at these photos, I don’t see the jawline first. I see the eyes. I see the eyebrows. I see a face that has let go of its muscle tension. As the deeper tissues are repositioned and facial balance is restored, the constant tension carried by the brow often softens. The eyebrows become more symmetrical, not because they were operated on directly, but because the face is no longer fighting itself. Less tension. More harmony. Nothing else. #deepplanefacelift #revisionfacelift #drvangenechten
Brow symmetry or symmetry in general can never be the goal of surgery. But sometimes it is the result of restoring anatomy. When I look at these photos, I don’t see the jawline first. I see the eyes. I see the eyebrows. I see a face that has let go of its muscle tension. As the deeper tissues are repositioned and facial balance is restored, the constant tension carried by the brow often softens. The eyebrows become more symmetrical, not because they were operated on directly, but because the face is no longer fighting itself. Less tension. More harmony. Nothing else. #deepplanefacelift #revisionfacelift #drvangenechten
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The most important part of a facelift is also one of the hardest things to measure. Scientific studies are exceptionally good at answering quantitative questions. How long do results last? How often do complications occur? How many years pass before patients seek another rejuvenation procedure? But the qualities patients actually notice are often the hardest to measure. Does the face still feel authentic? Does the result look natural? Or does one corrected feature draw attention to everything that wasn’t treated? These are qualitative outcomes. They are shaped by thousands of micro-decisions made during surgery. Every change in tissue tension. Every difference in elasticity. Every millimetre of tissue requiring a different decision. None of those decisions come from a protocol. They come from anatomy continuously giving feedback. Two surgeons can look at exactly the same face. One simply sees more. Not because they have better eyesight, but because years of experience have trained them to recognise anatomical nuances others don’t even realise exist. Perhaps that’s what expertise really is. It is not only knowing what to do. It is recognising when, where, and how much. That is what makes facial rejuvenation so fascinating. Looking younger should never come at the expense of identity. In male facial rejuvenation, preserving masculine anatomy is just as important as creating a younger appearance. In the end, surgery isn’t about changing faces. It’s about understanding anatomy well enough to let it guide every decision. #facialrejuvenation #malefacelift #deepplanefacelift #drvangenechten You swiped. Good. Curiosity is how we start seeing what others miss.
The most important part of a facelift is also one of the hardest things to measure. Scientific studies are exceptionally good at answering quantitative questions. How long do results last? How often do complications occur? How many years pass before patients seek another rejuvenation procedure? But the qualities patients actually notice are often the hardest to measure. Does the face still feel authentic? Does the result look natural? Or does one corrected feature draw attention to everything that wasn’t treated? These are qualitative outcomes. They are shaped by thousands of micro-decisions made during surgery. Every change in tissue tension. Every difference in elasticity. Every millimetre of tissue requiring a different decision. None of those decisions come from a protocol. They come from anatomy continuously giving feedback. Two surgeons can look at exactly the same face. One simply sees more. Not because they have better eyesight, but because years of experience have trained them to recognise anatomical nuances others don’t even realise exist. Perhaps that’s what expertise really is. It is not only knowing what to do. It is recognising when, where, and how much. That is what makes facial rejuvenation so fascinating. Looking younger should never come at the expense of identity. In male facial rejuvenation, preserving masculine anatomy is just as important as creating a younger appearance. In the end, surgery isn’t about changing faces. It’s about understanding anatomy well enough to let it guide every decision. #facialrejuvenation #malefacelift #deepplanefacelift #drvangenechten You swiped. Good. Curiosity is how we start seeing what others miss.
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Beauty lives in the shadows. Look beneath the jawline. Look at the area under the mandible. Before surgery, one of the underlying structures of the neck, the submandibular gland, was clearly visible. It interrupted the natural transition between jawline and neck and flattened the contours that normally create elegance. Look again. There is now depth beneath the jaw. A cleaner transition into the neck. Because a beautiful neck is not a two-dimensional line. It is a three-dimensional structure. And people experience it in three dimensions. That’s why neck surgery is rarely only about the skin. The real work happens underneath. The structures beneath the jaw. The volume beneath the platysma. The anatomy that creates shadows, depth and definition. An elegant neck is not created by pulling harder. It is created by restoring the architecture beneath the skin. And in this case, there is even more to the story than meets the eye. More on that in the next post. Most people call this a sharper jawline. I call it anatomy. #deepplanefacelift #neckliftsurgery #deepplanenecklift #necklift #drvangenechten
Beauty lives in the shadows. Look beneath the jawline. Look at the area under the mandible. Before surgery, one of the underlying structures of the neck, the submandibular gland, was clearly visible. It interrupted the natural transition between jawline and neck and flattened the contours that normally create elegance. Look again. There is now depth beneath the jaw. A cleaner transition into the neck. Because a beautiful neck is not a two-dimensional line. It is a three-dimensional structure. And people experience it in three dimensions. That’s why neck surgery is rarely only about the skin. The real work happens underneath. The structures beneath the jaw. The volume beneath the platysma. The anatomy that creates shadows, depth and definition. An elegant neck is not created by pulling harder. It is created by restoring the architecture beneath the skin. And in this case, there is even more to the story than meets the eye. More on that in the next post. Most people call this a sharper jawline. I call it anatomy. #deepplanefacelift #neckliftsurgery #deepplanenecklift #necklift #drvangenechten
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Beauty trends come and go. Fillers. Threads. Devices. Skin treatments. Anatomy doesn’t. This is a revision case following previous facial rejuvenation procedures performed elsewhere. No matter what has happened to a face over the years, gravity still plays by the same rules. It doesn’t care how much you’ve spent.
It doesn’t care what was popular five years ago.
It doesn’t care what’s trending today. Every day, it does the same thing. Tissues descend. The jawline softens. The neck becomes heavier. And slowly, the face loses its structure. The fascinating thing? When structure is restored, the face immediately starts making sense again. Not because it looks operated. Not because it looks younger. Because it looks coherent again. Anatomy always wins. In the coming weeks, I’ll break down different views of this result. The most interesting details become visible when you start looking from different angles. #revisionfacelift #facelift #necklift #faceliftbeforeandafter #drvangenechten
Beauty trends come and go. Fillers. Threads. Devices. Skin treatments. Anatomy doesn’t. This is a revision case following previous facial rejuvenation procedures performed elsewhere. No matter what has happened to a face over the years, gravity still plays by the same rules. It doesn’t care how much you’ve spent.
It doesn’t care what was popular five years ago.
It doesn’t care what’s trending today. Every day, it does the same thing. Tissues descend. The jawline softens. The neck becomes heavier. And slowly, the face loses its structure. The fascinating thing? When structure is restored, the face immediately starts making sense again. Not because it looks operated. Not because it looks younger. Because it looks coherent again. Anatomy always wins. In the coming weeks, I’ll break down different views of this result. The most interesting details become visible when you start looking from different angles. #revisionfacelift #facelift #necklift #faceliftbeforeandafter #drvangenechten
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What if I told you wrinkles are not the first sign of facial aging? Most people think they are. They’re not. The earliest signs of facial aging are usually structural. The cheeks slowly descend. The jawline becomes less defined. The neck becomes heavier. The tissues that once sat higher on the face gradually move downward. And what does all of this create? A tired look. Wrinkles are often just the consequence. That’s why simply filling lines or adding volume doesn’t always create a younger appearance. For me, this case represents the hallmark of facial rejuvenation. Not changing a face. Not creating a different version of someone. Simply restoring anatomy. Putting tissues back closer to where they once belonged. No exaggerated cheeks. No overfilled appearance. No attempt to erase every line. Just a fresher, lighter and more rested version of the same person. In my opinion, the best results are often the hardest to explain. People won’t necessarily think: “She had surgery.” Instead they’ll think: “She looks rested. She looks healthy. She looks great.” And they won’t quite be able to tell why. That’s when I know we’ve succeeded. Not different. Just younger. #deepplanefacelift #facelift #necklift #drvangenechten #facialrejuvenation
What if I told you wrinkles are not the first sign of facial aging? Most people think they are. They’re not. The earliest signs of facial aging are usually structural. The cheeks slowly descend. The jawline becomes less defined. The neck becomes heavier. The tissues that once sat higher on the face gradually move downward. And what does all of this create? A tired look. Wrinkles are often just the consequence. That’s why simply filling lines or adding volume doesn’t always create a younger appearance. For me, this case represents the hallmark of facial rejuvenation. Not changing a face. Not creating a different version of someone. Simply restoring anatomy. Putting tissues back closer to where they once belonged. No exaggerated cheeks. No overfilled appearance. No attempt to erase every line. Just a fresher, lighter and more rested version of the same person. In my opinion, the best results are often the hardest to explain. People won’t necessarily think: “She had surgery.” Instead they’ll think: “She looks rested. She looks healthy. She looks great.” And they won’t quite be able to tell why. That’s when I know we’ve succeeded. Not different. Just younger. #deepplanefacelift #facelift #necklift #drvangenechten #facialrejuvenation
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The irony of facelift surgery? Most people fear the scar… while often noticing the distorted hairline, pulled earlobe or unnatural tension far more. A facelift is ultimately a trade-off in anatomy and vectors. Aging creates excess and laxity. Rejuvenation requires repositioning that tissue somewhere. The question is not whether a trace exists. The question is where you place it, how much tension it carries, and whether natural contours are respected. These scars are approximately 6 weeks after surgery. They will continue to soften and mature over the coming months. But scar quality is rarely just about “healing.”
It is heavily influenced by tension, vascularity, smoking status, incision design, and how anatomy is respected during closure. Around the ear, anatomy becomes particularly unforgiving. Small distortions immediately reveal surgery:
- loss of the earlobe contour
- displacement of the hairline
- flattening of natural transitions
- visible pull in front of the ear That is why I generally prefer hiding the incision within natural reliefs and contours whenever possible, including partially inside the tragal border, rather than accepting visible distortion elsewhere. Because in facial rejuvenation, the goal is not simply removing skin. It is preserving identity while repositioning structure. And when tension is minimized and anatomy respected, scars usually become surprisingly discreet over time. The best facelift often leaves far less signs than the aging it corrected. #deepplanefacelift #facialrejuvenation #facelift #naturalfacelift #drvangenechten
The irony of facelift surgery? Most people fear the scar… while often noticing the distorted hairline, pulled earlobe or unnatural tension far more. A facelift is ultimately a trade-off in anatomy and vectors. Aging creates excess and laxity. Rejuvenation requires repositioning that tissue somewhere. The question is not whether a trace exists. The question is where you place it, how much tension it carries, and whether natural contours are respected. These scars are approximately 6 weeks after surgery. They will continue to soften and mature over the coming months. But scar quality is rarely just about “healing.”
It is heavily influenced by tension, vascularity, smoking status, incision design, and how anatomy is respected during closure. Around the ear, anatomy becomes particularly unforgiving. Small distortions immediately reveal surgery:
- loss of the earlobe contour
- displacement of the hairline
- flattening of natural transitions
- visible pull in front of the ear That is why I generally prefer hiding the incision within natural reliefs and contours whenever possible, including partially inside the tragal border, rather than accepting visible distortion elsewhere. Because in facial rejuvenation, the goal is not simply removing skin. It is preserving identity while repositioning structure. And when tension is minimized and anatomy respected, scars usually become surprisingly discreet over time. The best facelift often leaves far less signs than the aging it corrected. #deepplanefacelift #facialrejuvenation #facelift #naturalfacelift #drvangenechten
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Nobody wakes up one morning thinking: “I need a facelift.” Most patients simply start noticing they look more tired… even when they still feel energetic. That is usually how facial aging begins: not with wrinkles first, but with heaviness, loss of tension and definition around the jawline, neck and eyes. Interestingly, people are choosing facelifts younger than before. Not because they want to look “different.” But because modern facial rejuvenation has become more refined, more natural, less painful and far more discreet than older techniques. And there is another paradox: Treating aging earlier and more harmoniously often keeps people more under the radar than waiting until facial aging becomes severe. This is one of the kindest and most down-to-earth patients to have around. The type of person who makes everyone feel comfortable within five minutes. In this patient, a deep plane facelift, neck lift, temporal restoration, an upper blepharoplasty and a tiny amount of tear-through lipofilling were combined to restore one thing above all else: A rested face. #deepplanefacelift #deepplanenecklift #temporalrestoration #blepharoplasty #drvangenechten
Nobody wakes up one morning thinking: “I need a facelift.” Most patients simply start noticing they look more tired… even when they still feel energetic. That is usually how facial aging begins: not with wrinkles first, but with heaviness, loss of tension and definition around the jawline, neck and eyes. Interestingly, people are choosing facelifts younger than before. Not because they want to look “different.” But because modern facial rejuvenation has become more refined, more natural, less painful and far more discreet than older techniques. And there is another paradox: Treating aging earlier and more harmoniously often keeps people more under the radar than waiting until facial aging becomes severe. This is one of the kindest and most down-to-earth patients to have around. The type of person who makes everyone feel comfortable within five minutes. In this patient, a deep plane facelift, neck lift, temporal restoration, an upper blepharoplasty and a tiny amount of tear-through lipofilling were combined to restore one thing above all else: A rested face. #deepplanefacelift #deepplanenecklift #temporalrestoration #blepharoplasty #drvangenechten
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If a facelift is obvious, it already failed. Natural has become controversial. The goal of facial rejuvenation is not to make strangers notice surgery. The goal is to make heaviness, descent and tiredness disappear without changing authenticity, without replacing one set of problems with another. Yet social media has conditioned people to expect dramatic cheek volume, pulled corners and “snatched” faces as proof that something was done. That is not proof of quality. Often, it is proof that too much was done in the wrong layer. True rejuvenation is quieter than people think. And precisely for that reason, many underestimate the surgical complexity behind a result like this. Natural should not mean inefficient surgery. Natural should mean invisible surgery. Agree or disagree? #deepplanefaceandnecklift #browlift #blepharoplasty #drvangenechten
If a facelift is obvious, it already failed. Natural has become controversial. The goal of facial rejuvenation is not to make strangers notice surgery. The goal is to make heaviness, descent and tiredness disappear without changing authenticity, without replacing one set of problems with another. Yet social media has conditioned people to expect dramatic cheek volume, pulled corners and “snatched” faces as proof that something was done. That is not proof of quality. Often, it is proof that too much was done in the wrong layer. True rejuvenation is quieter than people think. And precisely for that reason, many underestimate the surgical complexity behind a result like this. Natural should not mean inefficient surgery. Natural should mean invisible surgery. Agree or disagree? #deepplanefaceandnecklift #browlift #blepharoplasty #drvangenechten
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Revision facelifts are a different language. Previous surgery by another surgeon left us more than scars. Previous surgery leaves behind altered tension, altered skin reserve, and tissue that has already been repositioned, and partially removed in directions that are not always ideal for future correction. That means one important thing: when trying to restore a face in a more natural vector, there is often less freedom than people assume. Less movable tissue. Less available skin. More scar resistance. More limitations. A revision facelift is therefore not simply “doing another facelift.” It is careful reconstruction of anatomy that no longer behaves normally. It is restoring balance, softness, and natural rejuvenation within those boundaries. Shown here 7 months after deep plane face and neck lift, temporal brow restoration, and upper/lower blepharoplasty and minor fat transfer. Recovery in revision cases is often longer and demands significantly more patience, but meaningful correction is absolutely possible. I focus my practice on facial rejuvenation surgery, and cases like this are exactly where that focused experience becomes critical. At the patient’s request, these images are shared only in an anonymized way. A more extensive portfolio is reviewed privately during consultation. And by the way, beyond all the surgical discussion, she is simply a wonderful woman. Elegant, warm, and full of class. She now walks into a room radiating a softness and confidence that was exactly the goal. #revisionfacelift #deepplanefacelift #deepplanenecklift #drvangenechten
Revision facelifts are a different language. Previous surgery by another surgeon left us more than scars. Previous surgery leaves behind altered tension, altered skin reserve, and tissue that has already been repositioned, and partially removed in directions that are not always ideal for future correction. That means one important thing: when trying to restore a face in a more natural vector, there is often less freedom than people assume. Less movable tissue. Less available skin. More scar resistance. More limitations. A revision facelift is therefore not simply “doing another facelift.” It is careful reconstruction of anatomy that no longer behaves normally. It is restoring balance, softness, and natural rejuvenation within those boundaries. Shown here 7 months after deep plane face and neck lift, temporal brow restoration, and upper/lower blepharoplasty and minor fat transfer. Recovery in revision cases is often longer and demands significantly more patience, but meaningful correction is absolutely possible. I focus my practice on facial rejuvenation surgery, and cases like this are exactly where that focused experience becomes critical. At the patient’s request, these images are shared only in an anonymized way. A more extensive portfolio is reviewed privately during consultation. And by the way, beyond all the surgical discussion, she is simply a wonderful woman. Elegant, warm, and full of class. She now walks into a room radiating a softness and confidence that was exactly the goal. #revisionfacelift #deepplanefacelift #deepplanenecklift #drvangenechten
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Dr. Van Genechten

Dr. Maarten Van Genechten is entirely dedicated to aesthetic facial surgery, with the face as his absolute specialty. This passion emerged during his medical studies, where he developed his interest in microvascular facial reconstructions. He broadened his expertise during a fellowship in Brisbane, where he was exposed to various surgical disciplines.

This experience led him to a fellowship in aesthetic facial surgery in Sydney, where his interest in facial rejuvenation surgery was born and has never faded since. He now specializes in facial rejuvenation surgery, facelift surgery, brow lifts and eyelid surgery. He is also the owner of the Catershoek Surgical Center.

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Dr. Maarten Van Genechten
Facial Surgery | Dr. Maarten Van Genechten

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