What is the difference between a SMAS facelift and a mini facelift?

Hello Jnettstar.The terms like SMAS lifting, deep plane lifting can be very confusing. When we do facelift  we always aim to minimise folds and wrinkles and other visible signs of aging, to give volume to those parts of the face where it is required. A modern face lift techniques can reverse hollow cheeks, the jaw lines, the appearance of a double chin and vertical bands of muscle and skin.
Surgeons have developed a number of different facelift techniques that focus on different tissue layers. The most commonly used approach today is the SMAS facelift.  This method relies on lifting the deep system of muscles and soft tissues, placing them back where they "used to be" in the young age.There are many different ways of performing a SMAS facelift, and for most people a so called "mini SMAS" facelift is usually enough, (SMASectomy). For people with severe ageing an extended or high SMAS facelift may be performed, which produces a very dramatic rejuvenating effect, However, all of the techniques have both -  advantages  and disanvantages, the disadvantages of extended SMAS facelift  is prolonged recovery time.So, both of the terms can be applied to a great number of techniques,  and they work great in the experienced hands. That is why I think it  would be reasonable to choose the surgeon you can trust and  rely on; a skilled,  an experienced doctor will choose  the best for your case technique. The best way to know what your surgeon proposes is to ask exactly what will be done, exactly what changes will be made, and see results in patients who looked like you and had the same procedure.I hope this will help..

Typically, a mini lift only focuses on trimming excess skin and tightening that way only. This does not have the same longevity as a SMAS Facelift, which focuses on tightening and trimming the SMAS muscle. I do not perform mini lifts at my Clinic. I have pioneered a brand new type of Facelift called the Concept Facelift.It is performed under local anaesthetic and patients can leave the clinic after surgery without the need for any bandages or drains. It has the same longevity as a Traditional Facelift but the Downtime is a lot quicker. 

For Mini facelift, I will perform on the specific part that patients are require, but for Full facelift I will lifting the entire facial region.
And for The SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic system) is a layer of tissue deep within the skin and subcutaneous tissue. It is one of the most important support structures for the face. The manipulation of this anatomic structure changes the appearance of the face.

But for both procedure I will perform until SMAS layer!

Hope this helpful.

Dr.Kanit.W

Plastic surgeon in Thailand.

Minilfts usually refer to limited incisions which produce limited result.  Some SMAS manipulation , tightening by excision or plication, can be performed with these procedures , but in my opinion are not as effective as a formal SMAS based facelift. Cosmetic surgery is saturated with marketing terms such as mini lift, micro lift, nano lift, lunchtime lift, as well as other terms.  These terms are utilized to infer that these procedures are somehow superior to a properly performed facial rejuvenation procedure.  Caveat emptor.  Regards Dr. Kiener

The specific anatomical correction in a SMAS procedure and a mini facelift varies from surgeon to surgeon. The exact technique is far less important than having the procedure
performed by an experienced, excellent artistic plastic surgeon who
individualizes the procedure based on your anatomy and desired outcome.
It is important to realize that following the advice from a surgeon on this or
any other website who proposes to tell you exactly what to do without examining
you, physically feeling the tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a
full medical history, and discussing the pros and cons of each operative
procedure would not be in your best interest. I would suggest you find a
plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally
a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you
trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that
surgeon in person.
Facial rejuvenation needs to be individualized. What would be an ideal approach
for one patient is not necessarily the same for someone else. Based on the
examination and discussion at the consultation, you should have a better
understanding of the various options that can achieve the best cosmetic result
for you.
Robert Singer, MD FACS
La Jolla, California

In our practice, we  do not perform a mini leift because they only give mini results and do not last for a long period. We perform a high-SMAS lower face and neck lift which accomplishes tightening loose facial and neck skin, tightening the loose facial and neck muscles, lifting the jowls, and removing any fatty deposits in the neck along with a platysma plasty.  This accomplishes a comprehensive facial and neck rejuvenation.  Choose your surgeon very wisely based on extensive experience producing natural results.  Study your prospective surgeon's before and after photos Gallery for facelifts, and make sure it is extensive and reflective of their work

As a plastic surgeon, I am always dismayed when I see or hear the term "mini" being used to describe an operation. No operation is trivial. There are always potential risks and successful recuperation should never be taken for granted. In my practice I tell patients that each facelift is tailored to each individual. This means that, if the whole face and neck need work then we describe it as a full face and neck lift. If only the cheeks need to be raised, then we describe it as a cheek lift. If the jawline alone is the problem, we call it a jawline lift. The point is, surgeons should be specific and accurate with the descriptions of their procedures. Each of the variations I have mentioned as examples have different levels of complexity; some take less time to perform than others, but none of them is "mini". My best advice is to ask your surgeon to carefully explain exactly what the surgical plan is and to have all of your questions answered specifically.

 Hi, I have performed Many SMAS facelifts for over 30 years and have performed many minimally, invasive SMAS facelifts.  Non smiling of your face from the front and side would help in the evaluation.  There are many different ways to perform a facelift, so it's best to understand what a "proper SMAS" facelift entails.  
  If you have "jowls” these are sagging facial tissues and the main indication for some form of a SMAS facelift.  The underlying SMAS layer, of the face, must be dissected, lifted, trimmed and re-sutured (not merely folded or suspended with threads or sutures that will not last).  The excess skin is then removed and the facelift incisions closed.
 My most popular SMAS facelift is the minimally invasive, short incision facelift that has all the benefits of more invasive facelifts (traditional, mid-face, deep plane, cheek lift and subperiosteal facelifts) but with these added benefits:
very small incisions and no incisions extend or are placed within the hair.
minimal tissue dissection = less bruising and swelling = rapid recovery ( several days instead of weeks or months with the more invasive type facelifts mentioned)
can be performed in 90 minutes or less, with or without general anesthesia
no incisions within the hair = no hair loss
excess fat can be removed from the face and neck
excess skin removed from the face and neck
cheeks, chin and jaw line can be augmented with dermal fillers (I prefer Restylane Lyft) or facial implants
most patients fly back home to parts all over the world in as little as 3 days post-op
I combine facial shaping with every facelift procedure.  When jowls are present, these should be done in concert and not alone or separately in order to create a naturally, more attractive face.
 Following my beauty principles, women look the most feminine, youthful and attractive with heart shaped faces.  Heart shaped faces have cheeks that are full and round in the front.  Cheek augmentation with a dermal filler or using cheek implants for a permanent enhancement will create full, round cheeks that will feminize the entire face.
 If the chin is weak, this creates an imbalance making the nose appear larger, the mid face top heavy and the lower face look short that de-emphasizes the lips and allows early formation of a double chin.  Chin augmentation using a chin implant will add projection to the chin creating harmony and balance to the lower face.   I have found that placement of a silastic chin implant, through a small curved incision under the chin (also allows excess skin removal) to be very safe, quick and highly effective.Hope this helps.

All these facelift terms can be very confusing, even to us surgeons doing this work. I can't answer your question because there is no standard. What is a mini Smas lift?  The only way to know what your surgeon proposes is to ask exactly what will be done, exactly what changes will be made, and see results in patients who looked like you and had the same procedure. A name means nothing.