Despite advancements in non-surgical facial rejuvenation techniques, facelifts maintain their prominence in plastic surgery. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons  (ASPS), facelifts are even growing in popularity, a fact that has been partially attributed to enhanced techniques offering more natural and longer-lasting results.

But what’s behind the variety of terms like ‘Mini Facelift,’ ‘SMAS Lift,’ and ‘Deep Plane Lift’ that patients encounter when exploring facelift options?

To demystify these terms and shed light on what each procedure entails, we turned to Dr. Jennifer Levine, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and facelift expert in NYC.

Mini Facelift

A Mini Facelift is a less invasive procedure designed for individuals noticing early signs of aging mild to moderate signs of facial aging, such as sagging skin, jowls, and wrinkles, primarily in the lower face and neck area, with the benefit of a shorter recovery period.

In regards to its growing popularity, Dr. Levine notes that “advancements in surgical techniques have made the Mini Lift more refined and effective, offering natural-looking results with minimal scarring.”

Ideal candidates for the mini facelift are typically in their 40s, but Dr. Levine is seeing an uptick in patients in their 30s who opt-in for the mini facelift, wanting a longer-lasting, more drastic difference than most non-surgical alternatives can provide.

SMAS Lift

Appropriate for those experiencing moderate facial aging, including sagging skin, deep nasolabial folds, and loss of volume in the midface region, the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) Lift goes deeper than the Mini Lift, addressing not only the skin but also the underlying musculature and connective tissue.

“By lifting and repositioning the deeper layers of facial tissue,” Dr. Levine explains, “the SMAS Lift offers more comprehensive rejuvenation, effectively restoring youthful contours with lasting results that appear natural.”

As patients increasingly seek natural-looking results with longer-lasting benefits, the SMAS Lift has become a preferred choice among individuals with moderate facial aging concerns.

Deep Plane Lift

Ideal for individuals with advanced signs of facial aging, including significant sagging, deep wrinkles, and loss of facial volume, the Deep Plane Lift addresses the deeper layers of tissue, including the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) and facial muscles. By repositioning these structures, the Deep Plane Lift restores volume and contours to areas affected by significant sagging and aging.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Jennifer Levine, MD

As the most comprehensive type of facelift, the Deep Plane Lift addresses:

• Deeper Facial Structures: The Deep Plane Lift targets the deeper layers of the face, including the SMAS layer and underlying facial muscles. This approach allows for a more comprehensive correction of facial sagging and jowling.
• Midface: It effectively lifts and repositions the midface area, addressing pronounced nasolabial folds and restoring volume to the cheeks.
• Jawline and Neck: The Deep Plane Lift also improves the definition of the jawline and reduces sagging in the neck region, providing a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance to the lower face and neck.

Key to Great Facelift Results: Synergistic Treatments

While facelift surgery can provide significant rejuvenation on its own, the best results often come from combining it with complementary non-surgical treatments or other surgical procedures.

Globally recognized for her innovative approach to facial aesthetics, Dr. Levine emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to facial balancing and rejuvenation.

“Combining a facelift with treatments like ContourTRL laser resurfacing, which refines results by enhancing skin quality, promoting long-term skin rejuvenation,” Dr. Levine adds.

Combining surgical procedures such as an eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) or buccal fat removal with a facelift is also popular and often recommended. In addition to delivering optimal results, it can also reduce overall downtime and cost.

With facelifts remaining a top choice in plastic surgery, understanding the nuances between techniques like the Mini Facelift, SMAS Lift, and Deep Plane Lift can be helpful when discussing options with a board-certified facelift expert like Dr. Jennifer Levine. When investing in your aesthetic goals, take time to research your options with the understanding that a custom treatment plan involving multiple treatments or procedures may be ideal.

Written in partnership with Tom White