SMAS facelift side effect true for smokers?

Regardless of technique employed, nicotine will delay healing due to its effect on the blood vessels that supply the skin.  Wound healing is a function of blood supply and is the reason that incisions typically heal very well on the face.  The equation changes in long term smokers, whereby the... more

When you do a SMAS facelift, you are elevating the layers of the face in a deeper plane which allows you to preserve a thicker skin flap. The added vascularity that is associated with a thicker flap is actually safer for smokers. This approach is what I use for people with a significant history of smoking... more

Smokers are at higher risk for a number of post-operative complications, ranging from skin slough of the facial skin, oxygenation issues before-during-and postoperatively, etc. Nicotine, either in the form of primary or second hand smoke, nicotine patches or any form of nicotine delivery system, causes the... more

All smokers need to stop smoking before a facelift of any type. The more the skin is separated from its blood supply as in a full SMAS lift, the greater the risk of the skin dying. In 30 years of doing facelifts, I feel a more conservative lift is warranted in smokers. 

Smoking interferes with blood flow, and active smokers are at much higher risk for complications (ie: wide scars, slow healing, and even skin death with significant scarring) with any surgery.  Surgery that requires wide undermining of a skin flap (such as certain face lift techniques, tummy tucks, or... more