Hi, I have performed many facelifts for over 30 years and have performed many minimally, invasive SMAS facelifts. The reality is, there are many different ways to perform a facelift from incision length, incision placement, level of tissue dissection (skin only, SMAS, Deep Plane, Subperiosteal), different degrees of tissue undermining, how to lift and support (imbrication versus plication of the SMAS layer), how much excess skin to trim, is excess fat going to be reduced and finally will the overall shape of the face be made more feminine or masculine (while avoiding the over pulled, windswept appearance). There are however, no "effective" methods of performing a proper SMAS facelift for the softening of "jowls" and the removal of excess skin from the front of the face that utilize only incisions behind the ear. This type of incision would not allow skin to be removed from the front of the face. If you have "jowls” these are sagging facial tissues and the primary 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 SMAS 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. If the cheeks are flat or concave 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. When 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 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.