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SMAS Facelift Cost ≈ $10,600 average cost

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SMAS Facelift Incision?

After speaking with plastic surgeon about SMAS Facelift, and he said he does the SMAS, starting inside the ear, around the earlobe and about halfway up the back of the ear. Is this truly an SMAS Facelift? What can I expect from this? What do you recommend?

Asked 32 months ago by Shayla in Ky in KY

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face incision

Minimally invasive Facelift incisions

Shayla, A minimal lift for the lower face and neck is a great option with the least downtime for facial rejuvenation. There are many minimally invasive facelift options for the neck and face, which go by several names: s lift, mini lift, short scar lift, macs lift, SMAS, lunchtime lift, etc. These face lift surgery names are confusing. Technically, all these face lift procedures differ a little, but cosmetic results are the same. The facelift incision may be anywhere from the temple &... more

Houtan Chaboki, MD

Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

SMAS Facelift incision

A facelift may involve correcting three layers: 1. Skin 2. Fat 3.SMAS - Superficial Muscle layer A SMAS facelift tightens and repositions the Superficial Muscle layer. The scars made to do a facelift result from two needs: 1. A large enough opening to do the surgery under the skin 2. A long enough scar to remove skin excess. So, you need a scar to get under the skin to tighten and reposition the SMAS, and to allow removal of the excess skin and a smooth closure. By tightening the SMAS... more

Randy J. Buckspan, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

SMAS Facelift - Mini facelift

The SMAS refers to the sub muscular aponeurotic system, which is a fibrous tissue that envelops the muscles of facial expression. It is this layer that is tightened and resuspended when performing a facelifting type procedure. The incisions to access the SMAS vary from a minilift to a full facelift. The minifacelift insision (short scar, S-lift, minilift) generally starts in the temple area, either in or just in front of the ear and around the ear lobe and behind the ear. The skin is lifted... more

Julio F. Gallo, MD

Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon

SMAS incision

The standard short scar face lift incision goes across the sideburn at the level of the top of the ear, then around the front of the ear to the tragus, then behind the tragus and down around the front of the earlobe and around to the back of the ear, stopping before reaching the skin of the mastoid process. The SMAS facelift differs from other methods in terms of what is done internally once the incisions are made. Healing is dependent upon the individual. Smoking and sun exposure are... more

Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

SMAS lift incision

That is a typical incision for a mini-face lift or SMAS lift. The extent of the incision behind the ear is dependent on the extent of neck skin excess and laxity. If the neck does not have significant skin excess, a MACS type incision limited to in front of ear only may be a good option.

Edwin Ishoo, MD

Boston Facial Plastic Surgeon

SMAS facelift

The SMAS facelift is really not reflective of the incisions per se. It has to do with what is done internally to the tissues.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

The incisions for a facelift are very well hidden

The incisions for most facelifts are just like you've described: inside the ear (tragus) and down and around the earlobe staying behind the ear and ending in the hairline. After several months of healing, massage, and allowing the swelling to resolve, you should have scars that are very well hidden. Talk with your plastic surgeon about scar therapy after your facelift. Good luck!

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

The SMAS Facelift

There are many variations of the surgical "facelift". The incision placement you describe is very common, and implies a "short-scar" facelift. The more standard incision continues up behind the ear, then extends out into the scalp behind the ear. Which technique is used depends upon each patient's individual anatomy, as well as the surgeon's experience and comfort level. You can find excellent surgeons that will have differing views on... more

Robert Wilke, MD

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS

Invisible Facelift Incisions

Facelift incisions are designed for access to those parts of the face that will be addressed by the facelift operation. In order for incisions to heal beautifully, no tension should be applied to the skin during skin removal and closure. Many different locations of incisions for facelifts exist, and the most common are those that you cite in your question. Whether a skin lift, SMAS plication, or SMAS elevation technique, incisions and locations are generally decided... more

Daniel Shapiro, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Incisions Facelift

Incisions are one important component of getting a successful facelift. Incision placement is critical to concealing the signs of having had a facelift. The most important factor in well healed incisions is the surgeon. see video

Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon

Incisions and a SMAS Facelift

This is an access incision that most facelift surgeons use. A SMAS facelift had nothing to do with the incision on the skin. A SMAS facelift involves tightening the underlying facial muscles via various methods. Dr. ES

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Facelift Incisions

While important by themselves, the incisions don't make a facelift. Many different types of facelift procedures can be done through limited incisions around the ear. There are a few points about the incisions, however, that need to be considered: Involvement of the temporal tuft of hair (sideburn hair) Involvement of the scalp hairline behind the ear If the incision runs into the hair-bearing temple area, then the sideburn hair will be pulled... more

Andrew Winkler, MD

Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon

Incisions for SMAS facelift, or any facelift for that matter

A SMAS Facelift doesn't really describe a technique, but rather one which manipulates the SMAS. The “skin only” face lift was the basis for facial rejuvenation for decades. While the results were satisfactory the one complaint is that the effects tended to be short lived. Then, in 1974, Dr. Skoog described a deeper plane face lift in which the muscle and connective tissue layer underneath the fat layer, later named the SMAS (superficial musculo-aponeurotic system)... more

John Bitner, MD

Salt Lake City Facial Plastic Surgeon

SMAS lift incisions do not tell the whole story

The incision that you describe in your question would be considered a short-incision facelift technique. It is possible to lift and tighten some of the SMAS (connective tissue in front of the facial muscles) through this incision, however, a full SMAS lift typically requires an incision that begins behind the temple hairline and extends down to below the earlobe and goes up behind the ear to the hairline and back down along the hairline behind the year. This is a classic or typical... more

Steven L. Ringler, MD

Grand Rapids Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

All facelifts use similar scars

I use many different techniques to achieve a good result. Incision will also depend on the loss of skin elasticity and amount of excess skin.

Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

SMAS Facelift Incisions

What you have described is a standard facelift incision made by many plastic surgeons. This same incision could be used for a variety of facelift techniques, including a deep plane facelift, a MACS lift and a modified SMAS facelift. A SMAS facelift as you referred to simply implies manipulation of the natural fibrous tissue layer that is spread across the face. By elevating the SMAS layer you effectively lift the lower face and upper neck. Since this layer is thicker and more resilient... more

John M. Hilinski, MD

San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon

The location of the incision on a facelift is pretty standard

A SMAS lift, Deep Plane lift, and a Composite lift are all done through the same incision. It has to go up along the front of the ear (or into the ear canal a little) up into or in front of the side burn, then down around behind the ear and some where into the hairline. There are some small variations on exactly how this is done by each surgeon. I think the key to a good scar is eliminating tension on the wound edges and careful technique on the surgeon's part. I have seen great results... more

Ivan Wayne, MD

Oklahoma City Facial Plastic Surgeon

Face lift incisions and the SMAS

The incision may allow access to the SMAS but the teatment of the SMAS is essentially independent of the incision. Surgical access must allow visualization and mobilization of the SMAS. Other than that, the incisions can vary widely. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Facelift Incisions Do Not Dictate Type of Facelift

Incisions for a facelift will not vary greatly. A SMAS facelift defines what is done after the skin is lifted. The incision for a SMAS facelift or a mini facelift will likely be the same. The difference is that in a SMAS facelift, the deep layer of tissue to which muscle and fat are attached is cut and pulled up to create a longer lasting and more reliable result. This type of procedure is ideal in older patients who desire a more youthful appearance.