What constitutes a SMAS facelift?

The SMAS refers to the sub muscular aponeurotic system, which is a fibrous tissue that envelops the muscles of facial expression. It is this layer that is tightened and resuspended when performing a facelifting type procedure.
The incisions to access the SMAS vary from a minilift to a full facelift.
The minifacelift insision (short scar, S-lift, minilift) generally starts in the temple area, either in or just in front of the ear and around the ear lobe and behind the ear. The skin is lifted and the SMAS is tightened. Then the excess skin is removed.
It is important to speak with your facial plastic surgeon and explain what your expectations are. Generally, the mini facelift does not help if there is a lot of laxity in the neck- a neck lift or full facelift is then required.
It is important that you express all your concerns during your consultation so that you can have the best result possible.

The incision for a Facelift is the same whether the skin only is tightened or whether a deep plane or SMAS Facelift & Neck Lift are performed - it extends in the crease in front of the ear, around the earlobe, behing the ear, and back into the hairline. A SMAS or deep plane Facelift will give you a better, longer-lasting result, and usually has better scars.

The skin incisions for a facelift do not change that much depending on the type of facelift that is performed. A SMAS, deep plane, lower facelift, neck lift, skin lift procedure can all be done through exactly the same skin incisions. The incisions you describe are the fairly standard incisions for all those types of facelift and neck lift. It is important to realise that the real differences in facelift technique are found in how the deeper tissues are addressed. A deep plane facelift is a type of SMAS facelift that mobilises the SMAS layer close to the mouth and jawline. The skin does not need to be separated for as large a distance off the underlying muscle layer. This leads to longer lasting results, a more natural look and a quicker recovery. 

The type of lifting procedure that is performed under the skin is generally not dependent on the type of incision that is made. A skin-only facelift, a SMAS facelift, a Bi-planar facelift, and a deep-plane facelift can all have the same skin incisions. Skin incisions tend to be very similar from one surgeon to another, but do have small nuances that will vary from surgeon to surgeon. In short, the skin incision does not dictate the type of lift performed under the skin.I recommend facelift techniques that involve tightening the SMAS layer under the skin in addition to the skin itself. I personally perform a Bi-planar SMAS technique that incorporates elements of several different types of facelift techniques. In doing so, we are able to achieve excellent, long-lasting, and natural-appearing results that are also very safe with limited down time.All the best,

The SMAS facelift is a type of facelift that describes the manner in which the tissues are lifted and tightened underneath the skin.  So, a small incision can be made and the SMAS can be tightened or a large incision can be made and the SMAS tightened.  The real question is if the type of lift you are having will address the amount of skin excess or fatty tissue you have.  In general, a facelift incision starts at the top of the ear and continues around the earlobe onto the back of the ear to get a good improvement for excess skin.  

A SMAS facelift elevates the sagging facial tissue that
results from aging. The SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic system) is a
deep connective tissue layer that forms a continuous sheath within the face and
neck. A facelift that lifts the underlying SMAS will re-elevate descended
facial tissues and improve the appearance of the cheek-bone area (malar area)
and jowls.



The typical incision starts in the sideburn, travels behind
the tragus, around the earlobe and behind the ear. The incisions give the surgeon
access to the SMAS, so that it can be elevated. The incisions also allow the
surgeon to remove excess skin.



A facelift that elevates the SMAS is treating the underlying
sagging facial tissues. A skin-only facelift relies on pulling the skin taught
to support the underlying tissue. This can lead to an undesirable “pulled” appearance.
A SMAS facelift should have excellent results that last about 7-10 years.