Deep Plane Facelift vs. SMAS Facelift: Understanding the Differences

Choosing to undergo plastic surgery is a big decision. You want to get it right. But with so many varied options for surgical facial rejuvenation, it can be difficult to narrow down the choices. After some digging, reading on forums, or chats with friends, you may have come across information on both Deep Plane Facelift and SMAS Facelifts. But what’s the difference? They both seem to go deeper than an old-school, windblown facelift, but how do they compare with each other? To start, let’s talk about those traditional facelifts.

A Brief History Of Facelifts

For decades in the very early 1900s, facelifts were performed by manipulating skin only, removing the excess, and pulling the skin toward the sides of the face. This created, as you can imagine, a less-than-natural-looking result. By the 1960s, a few surgeons had started to delve into new techniques where deeper tissues would be lifted and pulled, not just the skin, for better outcomes. The 1970s brought the first introductions of SMAS facelifts, which were commonly used throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The Deep Plane Facelift was first developed in the 1990s, and techniques focused on natural results have expanded and been refined from that point.

Modern Facelift Techniques

Facelifts have continued to evolve over the past few decades, and modern techniques continue to be improved and updated. Two of the most common facelift methods used by cosmetic surgeons today are still the Deep Plane Facelift and the SMAS Facelift. But refined surgical methods, improvements in pre-surgery planning and imaging, and advancements in incision healing techniques mean that results are better and more natural-looking than ever before. While we know these two facelift methods are at the forefront, what’s the difference between the two? Let’s dig in.

The Basics Of These Methods

Both of these facelift techniques work below the level of the skin on structures that provide support to the dermis. The key difference is the depth.

Deep Plane Facelift

It’s not just the skin that becomes loose and sags due to aging; underlying muscles and supportive structures in the face also lose elasticity and cause the face to droop. For that reason, this method goes all the way down to muscles, ligaments, and fascia in the deep layers of the face. By tightening and improving the structure in these layers, the result is a naturally more youthful appearance. Instead of putting too much tension on the skin, causing it to look pulled, the skin can then be strategically replaced on top of the lower layers for ideal enhancement.

SMAS

This technique goes deeper than just the skin level; it stays at the SMAS, or the superficial musculoaponeurotic system. This layer sits below the skin and a thin layer of subcutaneous fat, but above the ligaments and muscle structure. The SMAS is a dense layer of fibrous connective tissue that can become less stable with age. By manipulating this layer, more significant signs of aging can be addressed than at the surface level.

Unique Benefits Of Each Method

While the Deep Plane Facelift and the SMAS Facelift can have similar outcomes, each one has some distinct and varied benefits.

Deep Plane Facelift

• Unmatched when it comes to natural-looking results for severe signs of aging
• Addresses aging in the neck, jawline, and all the way up to the midface
• By lifting deeper layers, volume in the midface can also be improved and restored

SMAS

• A great option for moderate aging, where lower-level structures are not yet affected
• Since the deeper structures are not involved, recovery can be a bit easier
• The SMAS layers can be tightened in multiple directions for a precise result

Which Is The Best Technique For Me?

Determining which technique is ideal for you will include considering several factors. The extent of aging signs is one of the primary factors. Those with deep creases and significant jowling may need to opt for a Deep Plane Facelift to see satisfactory results, while those with more minimal signs may be able to achieve their goals with an SMAS. In most cases, however, the Deep Plane Facelift is more likely to produce results that look the most natural. Recovery is another thing to consider, as it may be slightly longer and more intense with a Deep Plane Facelift, and there is a minimally higher risk of complications like swelling or nerve damage.

Still Have Questions?

Even with the extensive information available online, deciding which facelift is right for you can be challenging. Ultimately, the best way to find the right cosmetic surgery for you is to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Jose Rodríguez-Feliz in Coral Gables, FL. As a facelift expert, Dr. Rodríguez-Feliz can create a fully customized treatment plan to meet your exact aesthetic needs.