The Different Facelifts You can Consider Explained Here

SMAS Facelift

What it is: A SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) facelift addresses signs of aging in the neck, mid-face, jaw, and jowls. The procedure targets the SMAS layer beneath the skin, which supports the facial muscles and fat and plays an important role in showing facial expressions. A SMAS facelift aims to reposition and lift this deeper layer beneath the skin. It’s different from a skin-only facelift, which only tightens the surface of the skin.

An SMAS facelift is very common, generally less invasive than a standard facelift, and has a quicker recovery time: “This technique is probably the most common technique utilized and suited for most patients,” she says. Plus, the results last longer: “Overall, a SMAS lift will last seven to 10 years, whereas a skin-only facelift will last approximately three years.”

Recovery: “Recovery is six weeks in duration, but you can get back to different activities along the way depending on your surgeon’s preferences,” Be Most people will need to stay home for at least two weeks before slowly and gradually returning to regular activities.

I  recommend patients make sure they don’t have a big event and won’t need to travel for at least six weeks after a SMAS facelift. “Many patients can hide that they have had surgery [after] about two to three weeks if they wear make-up and position their hair in a certain way,” she explains. “Often the skin looks even better in the first few weeks following a facelift as your body is holding onto some fluid.”

The ideal candidate: A SMAS facelift is a good option for nearly anyone with moderate to advanced signs of aging.1 “This technique is probably the most common technique utilized and [is suitable] for most patients.

Deep Plane Facelift

What it is: A deep plane facelift is an advanced facelift technique that lifts the deeper layers of the face—including the SMAS layer, facial muscles, and attached fat pads—as one single unit. It can address dropping fat pads in the upper cheek area, nasolabial folds, jowling, puffy bags or folds on the upper cheeks, and facial dimples. When done correctly, it can offer a more youthful or rested appearance to the mid-face region.

Recovery: The downtime and recovery associated with a deep plane facelift are similar to a SMAS lift. “You can expect to have a bit more swelling that lasts a little longer, but getting back to some activities can typically be initiated at the two-week mark,” she adds.

The ideal candidate: The ideal candidate for a deep plane facelift is someone who is in good health and desires a natural-looking result that addresses signs of aging such as jowling along the jawline, loose skin in the lower face and neck, and sagging in the cheeks and midface region.

Mini Facelift

What it is: A mini facelift is a less invasive version of a traditional facelift. It targets sagging skin around the jawline and neck, and typically involves a shorter incision, smaller scar, and a quicker recovery time. “If you are young and with good skin and just need a little elevation to get you to our goal, then this approach may be exactly what you are looking for,” Bekanich says.

Recovery: The downtime after a mini facelift usually falls somewhere between three and five days. You can usually shower two days after surgery, but should avoid submerging yourself in water for at least two weeks, Bekanich says. “It is very important to avoid anything that might increase your risk of bleeding, like heavy exercise or taking blood thinners,” she explains. “The swelling and bruising are typically much less for a mini facelift, so getting back to your regular activities is closer to about a week.”

The ideal candidate: A mini facelift is a good fit for someone who is looking for something that goes beyond Botox and fillers, but wants to avoid the downtime associated with a traditional facelift.

Mid-Facelift

What it is: A mid-facelift, or cheek lift, smooths, lifts, and tightens the cheeks and other areas in the mid-face region, such as the lower eyelids.3 “It is primarily designed for patients who show signs of aging only in the mid-face, “Since the mid-face is one of the most common areas to show early aging, mid-face lifts are typically performed on patients in their late 30s to early 40s who have excellent skin and muscle tone, and who have not yet shown significant aging in the jawline or neck.”

Recovery: Mid-facelift recovery usually takes between seven and 10 days, though this can vary. “If patients [can] work remotely or from home, many can resume work as early as the day after surgery. “However, they may prefer to avoid being seen due to some degree of bruising and swelling, which usually lasts for about seven days.” Most people can wear makeup, go out in public, and feel comfortable with their overall appearance between seven and nine days after the facelift.

Who’s the ideal candidate? A mid-facelift is a good option for someone with good bone volume in the cheeks and jawline who shows little or no aging or laxity along their neck and jawline, . “They’re primarily experiencing aging in the mid-face, such as descent of the mid-face fat pad, some skeletonization and visibility of the lower orbital rim, the formation of tear troughs, and possibly some hollowing in the temples,” he says.

Lower Facelift

What it is: A lower facelift targets loose, sagging skin in the neck, chin, and jawline area. “This type of facelift is primarily a resuspension procedure—meaning we’re repositioning tissue rather than adding to it,” Athré says. “Additional fat grafting, which we often use in other facelift types, isn’t typically needed here. That’s part of what leads to a really nice, long-term cosmetic result.”

Recovery:  the recovery time for a lower facelift is roughly the same as what you’d see with a full facelift—typically between seven and 10 days. But it can take a couple of months before the full results are visible. “One of the perks of doing this procedure in the fall or winter is that people can wear a scarf or a turtleneck to cover any bruising, which makes it easier to get back to their routine sooner,” Athré says. 

Who’s the ideal candidate?  the typical patient for this type of procedure is on the younger side and usually healthy with good skin tone, elasticity, and overall volume. “Typically, it’s someone in their early to mid-30s who says, ‘Hey, listen, I’ve always had a neck I didn’t like. I work out, I’m in pretty good shape overall, but I just want more definition in my neck area, and I’m unhappy with the fullness there,'” he explains.

The ideal candidate for a direct neck lift is typically a man who is only looking to address excess sagging skin on his neck. “Male candidates tend to be better suited because their skin is thicker, which improves the scar profile, and the hair-bearing skin helps to camouflage the scars.