Difference Between Types of Stitches for Facelift?

The particulars of what type of stitch your surgeon uses are not as important as the skill and experience he/she possesses. Standard techniques include what you have mentioned. As long as undue tension is avoided and fine (5-0 or smaller) sutures are used, and removed in a timely fashion (a week or so or less), the wounds should heal well. In addition, the wound care the patient provides (after instruction) is equally (if not more) important. At this time in my practice, this includes cleaning the wounds with saline or peroxide/saline, and dressing with petroleum and/or antibiotic ointment twice a day.  

Different types of sutures are used by different surgeons and also in different parts of the face.  In front of the ear, I like to use fine hidden sutures that won't leave stitch marks.  Less important in areas where the hair will cover the scars.  Believe it or not, many surgeons use staples in facelifts.

Though possible I doubt that in most cases the type of sutures matter. I have been doing facelifts for more than 25 years. I started with permanent sutures in the SMAS then switched about 13 years ago to absorbable sutures and have noticed no difference. The skill of the surgeon, technique, elasticity of the skin and SMAS, general health of the patient, smoking history, all play a role in the final results and their longevity. Great surgeons get great results more often even though their suture technique may vary.

Dear Brookein
Please don't choose your facelift surgeon based on what type of sutures they use. I teach a lot of regional and national course. Inveriably after discussing some detailed surgical procedure, some surgeon in the audience will raise their hand and ask what suture did I use. With rare exception, what suture one used is immaterial: One could use all most any suture. We all have our preferences for various reasons. Ultimately there are many ways to close a facelift.

It is important how sutures are placed, and how much tension is used to close the incisions. Sutures should be removed as soon as possible, but not too quickly so the wound falls apart. Buried sutures in some places tend to produce better healig that sutures placed in an over- over fashion. However sutures must sometimes be placed individually in very tricky areas such as the earlobe, especially if the earlobe is being changed and reconstructed.
Unless you actually become a plastic surgeon, it will be difficult to ask meaningful questions about suture choice and placement. And every plastic surgeon has their own style.
A top plastic surgeon will choose the best sutures given their experience.