SMAS vs. Deep Plane Facelift
The SMAS facelift and the deep plane facelift are two of the most advanced techniques available on the aesthetic market today. The SMAS facelift has become the industry standard, whereas the deep plane facelift is usually performed only by the most highly skilled and experienced plastic surgeons.
If you’re interested in undergoing a facelift in Houston to achieve natural-looking youthful rejuvenation, you’re most likely choosing between these two options. To help make your decision, it’s important to learn as much as you possibly can about each of them.
What Do These Two Facelift Techniques Have in Common?
There are several similarities between the SMAS facelift and the deep-plane facelift. Both techniques can address the midface, lower face, and neck. Both reduce the appearance of midface and lower-face wrinkles and lax skin. Both involve administering anesthesia, making tiny incisions around the ears, and lifting facial tissues.
What Is a SMAS Facelift?
The SMAS facelift is a modern facelift technique that offers numerous improvements on traditional facelifts. Traditional facelifts lift the facial skin along with the underlying tissues. One type of traditional lift, the skin-only facelift, elevates only the skin, not the underlying tissues.
Traditional lifts have been seen to create very unnatural and “worked-on” results. To prevent these unnatural results, it’s necessary to lift from beneath the skin, in the deeper layers of the facial tissues. The SMAS (superficial musculo-aponeurotic system) layer is one of these deeper layers.
The SMAS layer lies beneath the skin and the superficial fatty layer. The SMAS layer is relatively thin and is composed of muscle fibers and fibrous tissue. It covers the facial muscles.
During a SMAS facelift, the SMAS is left attached to the overlying layers, allowing the surgeon to lift them as a single unit. Because of this, results look much more natural than those of a traditional facelift.
In comparison to the deep plane facelift, the SMAS facelift generally takes less time to perform and is overall less invasive and less expensive. It’s an excellent choice for patients experiencing less severe signs of aging.
What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?
For moderate-to-severe signs of facial aging, deep-plane facelifts are the ideal option. A deep plane facelift elevates facial tissues more deeply than an SMAS facelift. In this technique, plastic surgeons lift from the deep plane, which lies below the SMAS layer. Often, dissection occurs a few centimeters below the SMAS layer.
During a deep plane facelift, the plastic surgeon releases several facial ligaments. This reduces tension in the tissue layers and helps the surgeon reposition the tissues effectively.
Releasing facial ligaments and lifting from the deep plane ensures more effective facial rejuvenation. Because the lift is so deep, its results look very natural and last longer than those of other facelifts.
Dr. Chattha’s Extended Deep Plane Facelift
The extended deep plane facelift is Dr. Chattha’s signature facelift technique. While normal deep plane facelifts only involve dissection a few centimeters beneath the SMAS, the extended deep plane facelift is more comprehensive.
During an extended deep plane facelift, Dr. Chattha repositions the face’s superficial fat pads, which sag over time. This repositioning restores youthful facial volume in key areas, such as the cheeks. He also repositions the nasolabial folds, greatly reducing the appearance of these harsh midface wrinkles.
As a result, the extended deep plane facelift delivers even more comprehensive facial revitalization than the traditional deep plane facelift. This includes treatment of jowls, the jawline, and neck laxity.
The extended deep plane facelift also minimizes post-surgical marks and helps achieve a faster and more comfortable healing period. This allows patients to get back to their busy lives sooner.
Which Facelift Technique Should I Choose?
Choosing your ideal facelift technique requires outside input. Meeting with facial aesthetic specialist Dr. Anmol Chattha can help you make a well-informed decision.
During a consultation in Houston, Dr. Chattha will examine your facial anatomy and ask questions about your cosmetic goals. He will also ask about your age, lifestyle, and other factors. After gathering this information, Dr. Chattha will recommend the best technique for you.
Set Up Your Facelift Consultation
To learn more about your facelift options, including SMAS and deep-plane facelifts, it’s best to schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon. Dr. Chattha will be happy to meet with you at our Houston office to discuss these techniques in further detail. Contact us today to arrange your appointment.