The Different Types of Facelift Procedures
Top Facelift Techniques
There are several different types of facelift procedures and techniques, offering different cosmetic results, and varying degrees of invasiveness, downtime and recovery. Different types of facelifts target different areas of the face – and can have varying types and shapes of incisions, and different numbers of tissue layers treated.
In this article Birmingham, Michigan board certified plastic surgeon explains the different general types of facelift techniques. He will also offer you a consultation in our Birmingham office to understand your unique needs, answer your questions, and help you choose the type of facelift that is right for you.
The Deep Plane Facelift
The deep plane lift facelift is a “full” facelift that is recommended for people with severe facial sagging and laxity, and for those men and women desiring a longer-lasting facelift. Full, deep plane facelifts involve lifting and separating the skin from the “SMAS” layer below it and releasing and repositioning the muscles used for smiling, frowning, and other facial expressions.
Typically an incision is made along the hairline, from the hair-bearing temple area, the incisions are extended downward along natural creases, proceeding inside the ear, then along the ear lobe, and ending out of sight behind the ears. After the SMAS is repositioned, excess and loose skin is removed, and the edges are sutured or stapled in place.
The effects of a full facelift can last from 10 to 15 years, and sometimes longer. Because of the extensive nature of a full facelift, the recovery time is longer than other facelift procedures.
The SMAS Facelift
The SMAS facelift affects the superficial top layers of skin and the deeper tissues of the face and neck – and are ideal for men and women with mild laxity, some jowls and mid-face sagging due to aging. In an SMAS facelift, the plastic surgeon creates an incision at the temple, above the hairline, which extends downward, following the skin’s natural crease in front of the ear, below the ear lobe and then behind your ear.
The plastic surgeon then tightens the SMAS (the muscles used for smiling, frowning, and other facial expressions) using sutures. Any excess skin is then removed and the remaining skin is stitched up.
The SMAS lift differs from a deep plane lift in that no “attachments” underneath the SMAS are released during the process. Though not as long lasting as a full facelift, an SMAS Facelift comes with less recovery time.
Short Scar Facelifts
A “short scar facelift” is just a general term for several facelift techniques that require smaller scars. Short scar lifts, are good options for people in their 40s and 50s with minimal to moderate excess skin, or those who have no visible signs of aging on the neck.
S-shaped and MAC (minimal access cranial suspension) facelifts are both short scar facelifts. Unlike other types of facelifts, short scar facelift incisions do not extend behind the ear. However, the surgeon still re-suspends the tissues that supports the smile lines and jowls, and can tighten a moderate amount of loose skin.
Facelift + Neck Lift
With age, a number of changes take place in the neck, as well as the face, adding years to a person’s appearance. Some of these changes include excess fatty deposits, sagginess and drooping of the skin (jowls or “turkey neck”), and development of thick neck bands also known as platysma bands. Neck lift surgery is typically done in conjunction with a facelift, but can also be performed alone.
The main purpose of neck lift surgery is to enhance the definition of the jawline and smooth the neck. During the procedure, loose skin in the neck in tightened, excess fat is removed, and the stretched neck muscle is reduced. The procedure is performed by placing incisions under the chin and around the ears. When there is an abundance of extra skin in this area, it needs to be removed as part of the lift. Sometimes liposuction is necessary to remove the excess fat, which will be determined by you and Dr. Ali at the time of your consultation. The visible edges of the loose neck muscles are sutured together and tightened.
When performed by a skilled and experienced board certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Ali, neck lift surgery can take years off of your appearance!
Midface Facelift or Cheek Lift
The midface facelift or “cheek lift” targets only the middle third of the face. Midface facelifts can improve nose-to-mouth lines (“parentheses” or “puppet lines”) and can also be used to lift sagging cheeks.
Typically, an incision is placed in the hairline and the inside of the mouth. The cosmetic surgeon then lifts and repositions the natural fatty layer over your cheekbones. An isolated mid-facelift can be also sometimes be performed done through the lower eyelid when eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is done.
The midface facelift or “cheek lift” provides a more subtle freshening-up of the appearance, with minimal risk and less downtime than full facelifts or SMAS facelifts.
“Pseudo” Facelifts
“Endoscopic Facelift” (not recommended)
An endoscopic procedure that lifts the cheeks through small incisions is sometimes called an “endoscopic facelift”. And while this surgery is much less invasive, and has a much shorter recovery time, it is not a true facelift and is effective only for cheek sagging. Any skin or neck lifting cannot be done endoscopically. So “endoscopic facelifts” do not have the dramatic results, or the longevity, of full or SMAS facelifts.
If sagging cheeks are the only cosmetic issue you seek to treat, a top facelift surgeon like Dr. Ali can typically treat these issues non-surgically with autologous fat transfer, long lasting dermal fillers, and advanced new skin tightening technologies – without the need for incisions or anesthetic.
Lifestyle Lifts & Thread Lifts (not recommended)
Some men and women are still curious about facelift techniques they may have heard about in commercials – such as “Lifestyle Lift” or “Thread Lifts.” These trendy procedures are typically NOT performed by experienced and reputable plastic surgeons, like Dr. Ali at AMAE Plastic Surgery in Birmingham, MI.
While thread lifts are “fast and easy” with minimal downtime, these procedures have many limitations, often including poor results, and cosmetic benefits that do not last very long. A thread lift simply pulls skin up – which often looks unnatural. And the effects of a thread lift generally only last less than a year – while facelift benefits extend a decade or more. You can read more about why Dr. Ali does NOT offer threads lift procedures in our article HERE.
Which Facelift Technique is Right for Me?
Choosing the right facelift technique is a deeply personalized decision that hinges on individual facial anatomy, aesthetic goals, skin condition, and the specific age-related changes one wishes to address. Because each person’s facial structure and skin condition are unique, it is crucial to consult with a highly skilled and experienced board certified plastic surgeon who can tailor the procedure to achieve the most natural-looking outcomes.
Top facelift surgeon Dr. Ali in Birmingham, MI has performed over 1,000 facelift procedures, and has a wealth of knowledge and expertise at achieving beautiful and natural looking results while customizing each facelift surgery to the patient’s individual needs. His extensive experience enables him to adeptly select the most appropriate facelift technique that aligns with the patient’s unique features and desired improvements.
Dr. Ali’s approach focuses on achieving natural, long-lasting results while minimizing visible scarring. He meticulously plans each surgery to ensure that incisions are discreetly placed within the natural contours of the hairline or behind the ears, thereby enhancing the healing process and concealing any signs of the procedure. By customizing the facelift to each individual, Dr. Ali enhances facial harmony and restores youthful contours with a refreshed, but unmistakably natural, appearance. His commitment to precision and excellence ensures that the outcomes not only rejuvenate the face but also instill a renewed sense of confidence in his patients.
Selecting a board certified plastic surgeon of Dr. Ali’s caliber guarantees a compassionate and comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation that prioritizes safety and aesthetics, and enables him to help you choose the facelift technique that is best for you.
Top Facelift Surgeon – Birmingham, Mi
If you are considering a facelift Dr. Ali will offer you a discreet, no-pressure consultation at AMAE Plastic Surgery in Birmingham, MI to explain your options, answer all of your questions, and help you select the facelift procedure that is right for you.
Dr. Ali is a board certified plastic surgeon, and widely recognized as the Birmingham, MI area’s top facelift doctor. He has helped hundreds of men and women in Birmingham, the greater Detroit area, and Southeast Michigan look younger and more attractive with facelift surgery! And, financing options are also available.
