Conveniently located to serve Los Angeles, Marina del Rey, and Santa Monica, California.
Dr. David Stoker’s Traceless Deep Plane Facelift corrects advanced signs of aging in the lower face, including sagging cheeks, deep nasolabial folds (smile lines), and heavy jowls, helping you look at least a decade younger. Dr. Stoker is a board-certified Los Angeles plastic surgeon and facial rejuvenation specialist who refined his technique over 20 years in practice. He attracts patients worldwide who want natural-looking results that last 10 years or more with imperceptible scars.
This beautiful patient in her 50s came to Stoker Plastic Surgery for a complete facial rejuvenation treatment to restore her youthful appearance. After searching for a top plastic surgeon in Los Angeles, she found Dr. David Stoker, an expert in facial rejuvenation treatments. The patient shared concerns about having dark circles u... Read More
This 55-year-old patient sought out Dr. David Stoker for a Traceless Facelift in Los Angeles, aiming to achieve a refreshed, more youthful appearance. She wasn’t just focused on tightening her skin, but also on balancing her skin tone, eliminating sagging, and rejuvenating her overall look. To accomplish this, she turned to Dr. Stoker for his... Read More
This 55-year-old patient consulted Dr. David Stoker in Los Angeles, seeking a refined and youthful look through his specialized Traceless Facelift approach. Rather than solely focusing on skin tightening, her goals included achieving a more even skin tone, eliminating sagging, and refreshing her overall appearance. She chose Dr. Stoker for hi... Read More
This patient, a 59-year-old mother, chose to undergo a Facelift - Traceless Deep Plane Facelift in Los Angeles to address shifting contours and visible signs of aging on her face and neck. Her main concerns included jowling along the jawline, deeper folds near the mouth, and relaxed skin extending into the lower neck. Seeking a refreshed appe... Read More
This 63-year-old patient turned to Dr. David Stoker for a Traceless Facelift in Los Angeles with the goal of rejuvenating and enhancing her facial features. Like many patients, she wanted to address the common signs of aging—sagging skin and the loss of youthful contours—but with a focus on achieving natural, refreshed results.To meet... Read More
This 55-year-old patient sought Dr. David Stoker’s expertise in Los Angeles to achieve a youthful, revitalized facial appearance. With her professional background in sales, she desired a refreshed look that would enhance her confidence. Dr. Stoker addressed her goals with his signature Traceless Face and Neck Lift, complemented by Rhinoplasty... Read More
Dr. David Stoker, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Los Angeles. I'd like to share with you a stunning Traceless Facelift result. What is a Traceless Facelift? That's one of my signature procedures that is a facelift frequently overlapping with the face and neck lift that involves pan rejuvenation in such a natural appearance with such dis... Read More
This beautiful 52-year-old woman came to us hoping to have a pan facial rejuvenation treatment to make her look how she felt young and beautiful. She flew in from out of town and was a previous patient of mine for other procedures. And she, most of all, wanted a natural appearance.
We did a face and neck lift with platysmaplasty, a chi... Read More
A deep plane facelift is a highly technical facial rejuvenation surgery that is more invasive than a Traceless Facelift, best suited to patients with advanced facial aging who want long-lasting results.
Dr. David Stoker has extensive experience and training in this approach and creates dramatic results that last for a decade or more with his Traceless Deep Plane Facelift technique.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Traceless Deep Plane Facelift?
Good candidates are healthy adults, typically in their 50s to 70s, with moderate to advanced cheek/neck laxity due to aging or significant weight loss, who:
Have realistic expectations for their results
Are non-smokers
Have their blood pressure controlled
Dr. Stoker’s Suite of Traceless Facelifts
As a facelift specialist who has performed thousands of facial rejuvenation procedures, Dr. Stoker created a suite of Traceless Facelift procedures to address a range of patient needs, desired recovery times, and finances.
Consideration
Traceless Deep Plane Facelift
Traceless Facelift
Traceless Mini Facelift
Addresses
Moderate to significant laxity and volume loss in the cheeks, jawline, & neck
Mild to moderate laxity & volume loss in the cheeks, jawline, & neck
Laxity in the mid-face/cheek area, not the lower face, jowls, or neck
Incisions
Hidden in hairline by the temples & extends in front of and behind the ears
Similar to deep plane
In front of & behind the ear, not the hairline
Downtime*
14 days
10-14 days
5-7 days
Longevity of results*
10+ years
7-10 years
5-7 years
Ideal patient
People with advanced aging of the lower face and neck
People who want noticeable, long-lasting results
People with moderate laxity in the cheek, jawline, & neck
Younger people with good skin quality who want subtle rejuvenation
*Experiences vary.
Dr. Stoker will recommend and customize the facelift technique based on your specific needs, cosmetic goals, and available recovery time after a thorough exam and consultation.
Performed thousands of cosmetic procedures for facial rejuvenation.
Contributed to deep plane facelift anatomical research and educational courses.
Authored dozens of peer-reviewed studies and textbook chapters and has conducted and presented leading research on facial nerve anatomy as it relates to deep pane facelift surgery.
Presented his research to medical professionals around the world at national plastic surgery meetings.
How Is a Traceless Deep Plane Facelift Performed?
Dr. Stoker performs deep plane facelift surgery in Marina del Rey at our accredited outpatient surgical center. He conceals the incisions in the hairline at the temple and in natural facial creases in front of and behind the ear. Next, he releases the ligaments that anchor the facial muscle and connective tissue and lifts and repositions the skin and underlying SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) layer together, removes excess skin, and tightens the neck for natural, long-lasting results.
Anesthesia: General anesthesia ensures you sleep comfortably during the surgery.
Incisions: Primary incisions are concealed in the hairline in front of and behind the ears. Typically, an additional small incision is made under the chin for tightening neck skin and muscles.
Deep plane technique: Elevates and repositions the skin and underlying SMAS together to elevate sagging cheeks with minimal tension on the incisions.
Dr. Stoker’s meticulous incision technique means the resulting scars are “traceless” (undetectable) for most patients.
Facelift Incisions (Hidden Scars) Before & After Photos
Should I Combine My Facelift With Other Procedures?
Yes. Dr. Stoker recommends combining facelifts with complementary procedures to achieve balanced, natural-looking facial harmony, not possible with a facelift alone.
When reviewing Dr. Stoker’s before-and-after gallery, you’ll notice most patients pair their facelift with one or more of the following for rejuvenation of the entire face:
Neck lift: To continue rejuvenation from the jawline to the collarbones, most facelift patients benefit from a neck lift. This procedure smoothes and tightens lax, crepey skin and corrects vertical bands.
Neck liposuction: This procedure can remove a double chin and fullness along the neck with gentle suction.
Laser skin resurfacing: Many facelift patients have sun-damaged skin, wrinkles, or skin discoloration. Fractional CO2 laser treatments can often address these concerns. These ablative laser treatments are very effective and often require only a single session to obtain the desired results. With a patient under general anesthesia, the treatment can penetrate deeper layers of the skin.
Upper and lower blepharoplasty: The delicate skin under the eyes can be treated with a laser, but eyelid surgery is also an option. Upper eyelid surgery creates a more rested look.
Brow lift: A sagging brow can look even worse if a patient undergoes facial rejuvenation without a brow lift.
BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers: Injectable treatments can enhance and maintain rejuvenation after facial plastic surgery.
To create comprehensive results, Dr. Stoker discusses a range of options with each patient depending on their specific concerns and aesthetic goals.
How Long Is Traceless Deep Plane Facelift Recovery?
Most of Dr. Stoker’s facelift patients take about 2 weeks off from work if their jobs aren’t physically demanding. Bruising and swelling are most noticeable during the first week after surgery and then steadily disappear over the next several weeks.
Traceless Deep Plane Facelift Recovery Timeline
Here is a general timeline for Traceless Deep Plane Facelift recovery; experiences vary depending on the technique and patient factors.
Day 1
Return home with your face bandaged in the care of an adult.
Manage discomfort with pain medication for the next few days.
Keep your head elevated to minimize swelling.
Days 4-6
Discomfort and swelling subside.
Week 2
Numbness, tingling, or tightness are normal.
Sutures removed at a post-op visit.
Ready to resume non-strenuous work and activities at 2 weeks.
Weeks 3-4
Ready to resume regular exercise and go out in public.
Improvements become visible.
1 month and beyond
Enjoy your rejuvenated look.
Minor swelling, tightness, or numbness noticeable, only to you, may persist for up to a year.
Scars soften, flatten, and fade for a year or more.
You’re not a good candidate for a facelift if you have uncontrolled health issues, smoke, seek dramatic changes, or have not aged enough to warrant surgery. Dr. Stoker recommends nonsurgical options, such as liquid facelifts and Ultherapy®, for early signs of aging or patients at higher risk.
Health factors: Uncontrolled conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and bleeding disorders increase risks.
Lifestyle: Active smokers, heavy drinkers, and people with unrealistic expectations or psychological unreadiness should postpone surgery. Those who are significantly overweight should consider weight loss first for safety and longevity of results.
Degree of aging: People with early signs of aging or thin skin that lacks elasticity may not be good candidates.
What is the most advanced facelift surgery?
The Traceless Deep Plane Facelift, which releases key retaining ligaments and lifts the skin and underlying SMAS as a single unit to achieve long-lasting results in correcting advanced facial aging. Patients who do not require this level of correction may still achieve meaningful rejuvenation with a Traceless Facelift, which addresses the skin and SMAS separately.
What is the best aftercare for a facelift?
Optimal facelift aftercare involves rest, head elevation, gentle wound care, and following Dr. Stoker’s personalized plan to minimize swelling and promote healing. His patients usually return to light activities in 1 to 2 weeks.
Days 1-3
Sleep with head elevated (in a recliner or with 2-3 pillows
Apply cold compresses 20 minutes on/off, or as recommended
Take prescribed pain meds and avoid aspirin and NSAIDs to minimize bruising
Weeks 1-2
Take multiple gentle walks each day to promote circulation
Keep incisions clean/dry
Refrain from strenuous activity and sun exposure (use SPF 50+ after day 7)
While you will likely feel more like yourself at this point, it is essential to continue following Dr. Stoker’s post-operative instructions.
How can I prepare for a facelift?
Being in good overall health helps patients recover more quickly and minimizes the risk of complications. Your blood pressure should be under control, and if you smoke, you will need to quit several weeks before the surgery.
What happens 10 years after a Traceless Deep Plane Facelift?
Ten years post-facelift, expect to look 10+ years younger than if you hadn’t had the surgery, as results from Dr. Stoker’s Traceless Deep Plane Facelift endure. Though natural aging continues, maintenance with dermal fillers and other non-surgical treatments extends them further.
Expected changes: Subtle laxity returns (e.g., minor jowls from gravity/sun); skin thins but repositioned tissues hold firm.
Longevity factors: 10-15 years typical; enhanced by healthy habits (no smoking, SPF daily, stable weight).
Maintenance: Periodic injectable treatments or a revision facelift can extend your youthful look.
Review our blog post on facelift longevity for details and helpful do’s and don’ts.
What is the difference between a mini facelift and a deep plane facelift?
A Traceless Mini Facelift is less invasive than a Traceless Deep Plane Facelift and is best for patients with less advanced facial aging. It tightens loose skin in the mid-face/cheek area, not the lower face, jowls, and neck as a deep plane facelift does.
Which is better, a Traceless Facelift (SMAS facelift) or a Traceless Deep Plane Facelift?
A Traceless Deep Plane Facelift is better for achieving significant rejuvenation and results that are long lasting. For many patients, a top facial plastic surgeon such as Dr. Stoker can achieve their desired improvements with a less-invasive Traceless Facelift. The best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and cosmetic goals. Dr. Stoker will talk with you about your options during your personal consultation.
How much younger do you look after a Traceless Deep Plane Facelift?
Traceless Deep plane Facelifts can make patients look 10 to 20 years younger, depending on their degree of facial aging and how old they are when they have the surgery.
Are there any cons to the Traceless Deep Plane Facelift technique?
The most important drawback of the Traceless Deep Plane Facelift is the risk of damaging a facial nerve is greater than with a Traceless Facelift or Traceless Mini Facelift. Choosing an experienced plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Stoker, can significantly minimize this risk. Additionally, a Traceless Deep Plane Facelift is more expensive and involves a longer recovery than other facelift techniques.
A Reputation Built on Results
Extraordinary, Fantastic amazing results! My wife is so happy to have an abdomen, thighs and buttocks...
Couldn’t be happier with the results of my procedure as well as the level of professionalism and care...
I love the entire staff here. Dr. Stoker is the perfect balance of personable and professional. I could...
Dr. Stoker and his whole team were great! I am extremely happy with the results and I would recommend...
Men and women looking for the best facelift surgeon in Los Angeles choose Dr. Stoker after meeting with him personally and reviewing his extensive gallery of before-and-after photos. You can use the online form to request a consultation with him or call our office at
(310) 300-1779 to schedule an appointment.
If you are visiting us from the Central Coast, please visit our “To Our Neighbors” page. We offer dedicated guidance for facelift patients from Santa Barbara and Montecito. Traveling from outside of California? Our fly-in program was made for you.
Reviewed for clinical accuracy by Dr. David Stoker on March 4th, 2026.
