SMAS vs Deep Plane – Which Lasts Longer? A deep facelift is more durable than traditional facelifts, like SMAS facelifts, since it targets deeper tissues and muscles. Although more invasive, the deeper technique of deep plane facelifts allows Dr Kernohan to provide effective and long-lasting results.
The SMAS Facelift
The procedure involves making incisions at the temples above the hairline, so they're concealed. Compared to a deep-plane lift, the primary difference in the SMAS technique is that it raises the skin and SMAS layers separately rather than together.
The deep plane facelift is generally considered the most comprehensive and long lasting type of facelift. This facelift involves the layer of muscles under your facial skin. These muscles are responsible for much of the drooping or sagging you may experience in your face as you age.
A deep plane facelift is ideal for men and women who are frustrated with signs of aging. This procedure is commonly performed on middle-aged and older adults starting to experience facial volume loss. A good candidate for a deep plane facelift will be in good overall health and a non-smoker.
A deep plane facelift lasts longer than the SMAS facelift, providing beneficial results for 10-15 years.
Approximate Age: 40+
Facelift and/or Neck Lift (SMAS or Deep Plane facelift): The SMAS or Deep Plane face lift is ideal for lifting sagging jowls, mild to severe skin laxity, and/or mid-face sagging.
So, even though the deep plane facelift is the most invasive facelift technique, it offers patients the longest lasting results. Since it works on the structural elements of the face (tissue and muscle), the deep plane facelift is more durable than SMAS facelifts, often lasting ten years and beyond.
Complications of Deep Plane Face Lifting
The deep plane procedure probably has a higher risk of injury to the facial nerve than other procedures. Nerve injuries are the most dreaded complications of face-lifting because they can result in permanent asymmetry of facial movement such as smiling.
After undergoing deep plane facelift surgery, patients can expect to look at least 10 to 15 years younger. The extended deep plane facelift has better longevity when compared with other types of facelift procedures.
The term deep plane refers to a specific type of facelift in which the SMAS, a layer of connective tissue underneath the skin and on top of the facial muscles, is lifted to tighten the cheeks, jawline, and neck.
The most dramatic yet natural-looking results occur with a full SMAS facelift with the incisions on either side of the face beginning at the temple and extending down and around the ear to the lower scalp. These incisions are well hidden within the hairline.
The high SMAS facelift is a specialised procedure which repositions ptotic soft-tissue evenly throughout the face. This improves soft-tissue distribution in the midface, cheek and along the jawline - resulting in a balanced and natural facial rejuvenation.
The high SMAS facelift that I use usually delivers around 10 to 15 years of benefit.
What is the average recovery associated with a SMAS facelift procedure? The acute recovery phase following a SMAS facelift is about two to three weeks of acute bruising, swelling, redness, and discomfort. A compression garment must be worn for the first 10 days. Sutures are removed after one week.
The primary difference between a mini and full facelift is that a full facelift like a deep plane or SMAS facelift focuses on tightening all facial skin and moving the underlying tissues, while the mini facelift focuses on the jowls and neck area specifically.
A: Yes, definitely. The deep plane technique is ideal for revision surgeries, because in all likelihood the previous facelift would have been performed with a different technique. This allows limited scope for revision surgery. Your face can stand only so much skin and muscle pulling.
Visible scars are glaring signs of plastic surgery. Generally, facelift incisions run from the hairline at the temple and continue in front of and behind the ears and extend to the lower scalp.
A facelift is not generally for anyone under the age of 30. In most cases, a facelift works best for people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s when signs of aging begin to become prevalent.
Where are facelift incisions made? Dr. Patel performs a deep plane lift to achieve the most natural looking results with minimal scarring. The incision starts either along the sideburn hairline or within the sideburn depending on the patient's anatomy.
“While each patient's need is different, my extended deep plane facelift starts at $80,000,” says Dr. Jacono, who operates in Manhattan's Upper East Side and Long Island, NY. Many patients weigh how the cost compares to the facials, lasers, and temporary injectables that may amount to thousands of dollars a year.
Once the swelling wanes, that tightness feeling should dissipate in time. Your skin will also start to slightly stretch as it adapts to the new shape. You can expect the face to feel tight for a few months following the facelift surgery. The tightness can last for about 2 – 3 months.
To begin with, Dr. Jacono uses local or twilight anesthesia to perform the deep plane facelift, which allows him to keep the surgical time around 1 ½ to 2 hours long.
Is Deep Plane Facelift Surgery Painful? Pain during and after the procedure can be managed with medication. A feeling of tightness is normal in the first week following surgery, but most patients do not report any significant pain.
Deep plane facelift recovery time
You can expect at least 3 weeks of bruising, discomfort, and swelling —- if not longer. During the first one to two weeks following surgery, you must wear a compression garment, neck support, and drain to help with swelling and allow excess fluids to drain appropriately.