3 years post-op deep plane facelift - lateral malar pleating when smiling (photo)

This is from excess skin and tethering of the skin to the underlying soft tissues directly or from a permanent suture. The solution is to excise the extra skin following one of the creases and then remove any scar tissue or suture that is holding it back.
Regards
Dr. J

this is called a "Smile block". It can be avoided by releasing the tissue and skin beyond the point where the movement seems to stop when smiling. Sometimes it requires not only releasing but also removal of additional tissue. The tethering will disappear. Additional filler injections into the cheek area after having undergone a deep plane facelift, with the attempt to "maintain" the result, can contribute. I hope this helps.

What you are seeing is the effect of the muscles around your eyes when you smile. this can be helped with a small amount of Botx along the outer orbit as well as skin resurfacing.

Hope this helps

Dr. J