Home > > Facelift: Deep plane vs. SMAS – A practical guide to Facelifts
Anti-Aging, Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, Face
2 minute read
Share:
A facelift is a procedure tailored to the individual needs of the patient. There are several different approaches that plastic surgeons can use, depending on the concerns and goals discussed during the consultation. The SMAS and deep plane facelift are two effective techniques that yield beautiful, natural-looking results. Though they are different, both share the same goal of minimizing signs of aging and restoring youthful contours to the face.
Here, Burlington plastic surgeon Dr. Douglas Grace breaks down the facelift techniques into detail.
Understanding The SMAS Lift
The SMAS facelift concentrates on the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), which is the underlying layer of facial muscles. The SMAS is adjacent to the platysma muscle in the neck, so the SMAS lift improves the lower face and neck, as well.
During the SMAS lift, the SMAS, which becomes loose and saggy with age, is elevated and repositioned as the surgeon sees fit to “lift” the facial structures. Stitches are used to secure the SMAS layer into its improved positioned for long-lasting results.
SMAS facelift is typically performed through incisions at the temples in the hairline; the incisions extend along the edge of the ear and end behind the ear.
Understanding The Deep Plane Facelift
The deep plane lift is more advanced and powerful than SMAS facelift. During the operation, the plastic surgeon works on the SMAS layer and the deeper structures of the face. Very noticeable signs of aging, such as deep nasolabial folds (i.e., the grooves between the cheeks and lips) and heavier jowls (loose skin on the lower cheeks and jaw), can be addressed with a deep plane lift. In addition to tightening the SMAS layer, the cheek (malar) fat pad is elevated to improve the appearance of the mid-face. The neck and jawline are also tightened.
The deep plane facelift procedure is usually performed through incisions along the hairline and around the ears.
Choose Your Facelift Surgeon Carefully
The facelift technique used does not matter as much as the surgeon himself does. It is more important to choose a surgeon with demonstrated successful results and a great bedside manner that understands what you hope to achieve.
Share:
Further News & Insights
What Is The Ideal Age To Get A Facelift? It May Be Sooner Than You Think
Just because wrinkles are a natural part of aging doesn’t mean we want them! While you can’t turn back the clock (as much as we wish we could), you do have the power to prevent the appearance of aging and opt for a naturally youthful look. Thankfully, there are numerous options to do the trick. […]
Everything You Need to Know About Exercising After Plastic Surgery
After undergoing a plastic surgery, your body will require recovery time before you are able to safely return to your workout routine. This recovery time is essential to your healing process, avoiding complication, and your overall health. After a surgery, your surgeon will be able to recommend a timeline for how long you should wait […]
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
11 minute read
Your skin loses its elasticity over time, resulting in wrinkles and other signs of aging. Wrinkles are an inevitable part of aging and appear in forms of creases, folds, or ridges, especially on the face. Since there are a few types of wrinkles that one can experience, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to address all […]
Face
10 minute read
What Causes Wrinkles?
The reality is yourface changesduring many stages of your life, and wrinkles are a common sign of aging that some may experience sooner than others. Some people notice mild wrinkles in their early 20s, while they may appear late for others. Understanding what causes wrinkles is the best way to determine when you can expect […]
Face
11 minute read
Your Guide to Different Types of Facial Treatments
Investing in facial treatments is one of the best ways to treat your skin with the care it deserves. Professional facial treatments allow your skin to retain its elasticity, tighten facial contours, reduce wrinkles, and achieve a youthful glow. With age, your skin is likely to lose fat and start thinning, resulting in visible signs […]
Face
11 minute read
The Most Popular Types of Cosmetic Surgery
deCredit: Matthew Henry via Burst To put it lightly, the cosmetic surgery industry is experiencing a boom. A surprising ripple effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is that more people are researching cosmetic surgeries, calling up clinics and booking appointments than ever before. While some industries have struggled and strained to make it through the pandemic, […]
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
11 minute read
Popular Plastic Surgeries for Men
Although plastic surgery has historically been more common for women, more and more men are now turning towards plastic surgery for a variety of treatment options. In fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reportsa 29 percent increase in male cosmetic procedures between 2000 and 2018. According to Global News, “while Canadian statistics don’t […]
Body, Face
11 minute read
Credit: Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels When people think of sun damage, they often think of the immediate effects of staying out in the sun for too long. They picture painful red sunburns that need to be covered in layers of moisturizer and cooling aloe. What they don’t picture, however, is the long-term effects of sun […]
Anti-Aging, Face
11 minute read
What You Need to Know About Sun Exposure After Plastic Surgery
Many different face surgeries and treatments can improve your skin, allowing you to flaunt your youthful look in the summer, but it’s essential to protect your skin from the sun. Protecting your skin from the sun is essential all year round, but it is particularly important in the summer as the UV intensity tends to […]
Skincare
9 minute read
Your Guide to the Daddy Makeover
After the world witnessed a demand for mommy makeovers, allowing women to reconstruct certain parts of their body after childbirth, we are now noticing a boom in interest for daddy makeovers. A common question surrounding this topic is, what is daddy makeover? A daddy makeover is the make equivalent of a mommy makeover, and the […]
Anti-Aging, Body, Lose Weight
11 minute read
Non-Surgical Alternatives to Common Cosmetic Surgeries
Not all cosmetic treatments are surgical, and despite common thought, they don’t need to be surgical to be effective. The reality is, there are a wide variety of non-surgical treatments available that provide similar results for individuals who either are not comfortable with surgery or are looking for a non-surgical option before committing to a […]
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
11 minute read
Plastic Surgery 101: Your Guide to Different Types of Plastic Surgery
Credit: Matthew Henry via Burst There is no-one-size-fits all plastic surgery procedure, as surgeries are offered and performed in different capacities to suit varying goals. These surgeries all involve different techniques and approaches, require different preparation, and have different recovery timelines. It is important to know what nuances come with the surgery you are […]
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
11 minute read
