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..

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

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.