SMAS Facelift Q&A
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What is an SMAS Facelift, and How is It Different Than a Normal Facelift?

asked 9 months ago by anon
Latest answer by Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
Question viewed 219 times
Tags: alternative, candidate

I was curious because I have been hearing about them recently and wanted to know if it would work better.

13 answers to What is an SMAS Facelift, and How is It Different Than a Normal Facelift?

+5

SMAS Facelift

A SMAS is the normal lift. By manipulating the SMAS, you can have a better, more lasting, and more natural result. The term is being used to differentiate the traditional facelift from a lifestyle lift that typically does not involve the SMAS.
Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon
+3

SMAS Facelift

A facelift can be done by pulling back skin alone or by manipulating the thick under tissue called the SMAS. The latter gives a better, more natural result. Simply tightening the SMAS with a few sutures isn't as good as entirely mobilizing the SMAS. Good luck.
David Alessi, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

SMAS facelift versus normal facelift

If we assume by a normal facelift you mean a skin only facelift, then the differences are that the skin only facelift will reposition and excise excess skin but will not treat any of the underlying structures. It is common in aging that the tissues below the skin also sag and repositioning them with a treatment of the SMAS will often give a more youthful natural look rather than just tight skin.
Julio Garcia, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+1

SMAS facelift

A SMAS facelift is a "normal" facelift. The original facelift involved pulling the skin back giving a patient the "facelift look." By manipulating the SMAS as well as limited skin manipulation, patients can have a more natural and refreshed appearance.
Jacob Freiman, MD

Miami Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Normal facelift vs SMAS facelift.

Think of your face as 2 layers, (there are more), with the skin being the outer layer and the SMAS being the layer just beneath the skin. In certain patients: younger, with excellent skin elasticity, minimal jowling and minimal need for neck correction, a skin only facelift can be done. This is because the skin will support the lift due to its strength. However, most patients considering a facelift are older and have more requirements to fully rejuvenate... more
Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon
+1

SMAS facelift vs. regular facelift

A SMAS facelift involves the deeper tissue layer and therefore provides longer lasting and more natural results. A regular facelift surgery only lifts the skin. see video
Babak Azizzadeh, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

What is a SMAS lift?

A SMAS facelift refers to incorporating a thin fibrous/muscular layer (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) that sits beneath the skin into the lift. This is in contrast to a facelift that only pulls on the skin itself. This SMAS layer is quite strong so a facelift that focuses on pulling on this layer is much more durable and gives a much more natural result. A traditional facelift and/or necklift typically involves using this SMAS layer, but you can discuss with your potential... more
Thomas A Lamperti, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

SMAS face lift

My normal protocol for facelift is the SMAS. There are different ways of doing the SMAS but the goal of it is to help support the skin. It has been shown, in studies, to be the longest lasting facelift. What is a "normal" facelift? That can range for a skin only facelift to something more substantial. In the SMAS, the layer of fascia that is continuous with the platysma can be dissected or plicated to tighten the skin by pulling on it. I believe that, for patients requiring significant... more
Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

SMAS facelift vs normal facelift

A SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) facelift is the "normal" facelift in my practice. To achieve a natural, more youthful look, I perform an extended sub-SMAS elevation that continues low into the neck in the subplatysmal plane in conjunction with neck liposuction. The result is a smooth, rejuvinated face and neck with excellent contour of the neck and jawline. One other technique that has been described consists of only folding the... more
Corey S. Maas, MD

San Francisco Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

SMAS facelift and normal facelift

A SMAS facelift is routinely done at the time of a traditional face/neck lift. It is the fascia layer in the cheek, which is tightened to eliminate jowls. The SMAS stands for the superficial musculoaponeurotic system of the face.
William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

What is an SMAS Facelift, and How is It Different Than a Normal Facelift?

All Face Lifts, IMHO to be effective should dissect, elevate, trim and re-suture the SMAS muscle layer of the face. This is a way to differentiate a Face Lift that actually does this from the many marketed versions that may or may not.
Francis R. Palmer, III, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

What is a SMAS Facelift?

SMAS is an acronym for: superficial musculoaponeurotic system.It is included in the "normal Facelift". The mini Facelift does not as it only involves the skin.Depending on the age and condition of the skin determines what type of Facelift is best for the patient. The SMAS is a firm and fibrous network that runs under the skin but over the facial muscles and forms the framework of the face. When the SMAS is tightened, it is significant and long-lasting. If you... more
Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

SMAS FACE LIFT

To a Plastic surgeon all face lifts are SMAS (sub-musculo apponeurotic system) face lifts. Ameteurs in face lifts, can not dissect the SMAS and do a skin only face lift which ends up lookinf artificial (60s Face Lift) The structure of fat and fascia under the skin that also envelopes the facial muscles is the SMAS, the facial nerve passes just under it.It is the manipulation of the SMAS that tightens the face for longer lasting more natural results. Skin only face lift is very... more
Samir Shureih, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

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