For decades, traditional SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) facelifts have been a trusted method for facial rejuvenation. However, the deep plane facelift, an advanced surgical technique, has gained popularity in recent years. Both procedures effectively address facial aging, but they differ in techniques and outcomes.
Dr. Turner, a Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Sydney, Australia, brings extensive expertise in these procedures. This article explores the key differences between deep plane and traditional SMAS facelifts, empowering you to make an informed choice that best suits your individual needs and aesthetic goals.
SMAS Facelift: Traditional Facelift Technique
The SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) facelift is a time-tested procedure that effectively addresses sagging skin, wrinkles, and loss of definition in the lower face and jawline. This technique focuses on tightening both the skin and the SMAS layer, a supportive network of muscles and fibrous tissue beneath the skin.
As we age, the SMAS loses elasticity and begins to sag, while strong retaining ligaments keep it anchored to the underlying skeleton. The SMAS facelift tightens this layer by either folding it over itself (SMAS plication) or removing a strip of the SMAS (SMASectomy). However, because the ligaments remain intact, the lift achieved by a SMAS facelift is typically limited to 1-2 cm.
Although the SMAS facelift effectively rejuvenates the lower two-thirds of the face and neck, it doesn’t address ageing changes in the cheeks or midface. To enhance these regions, fat grafting is often used in combination with the SMAS facelift.
Deep Plane Facelift: Modern Advanced Techniques
The deep plane facelift is an advanced surgical procedure that rejuvenates the face by addressing not just the superficial layers but also the deeper facial structures. This technique involves working in well-defined anatomical spaces and releasing specific retaining ligaments for optimal lifting. This allows for more effective lifting and tightening of the SMAS layer with reduced tension, resulting in improved facial contours and longer-lasting results.
Unlike the traditional SMAS facelift, which primarily targets the lower face and neck, the deep plane facelift enhances the midface, as well as the lower face and neck. It achieves dramatic results by lifting and repositioning key areas such as the cheeks (malar eminence) creating a rejuvenated and balanced appearance.
By avoiding excessive tension on the skin, this technique ensures a smoother, unoperated look, eliminating the risk of an “over-pulled” appearance. The entire SMAS layer is lifted and repositioned by releasing the deep retaining ligaments, allowing for more comprehensive repositioning of facial tissues as a single unit (composite facelift).
Key Differences Between Traditional and Deep Plane Facelifts
Areas Targeted
- SMAS Facelift: Primarily focuses on the skin and superficial layers, effectively addressing sagging skin, wrinkles, and jowls in the lower face and neck.
- Deep Plane Facelift: Targets deeper structures, including muscles, ligaments, and fat pads, for a more comprehensive rejuvenation. This technique also enhances the midface along with the lower face and neck.
Depth of Dissection
- SMAS Facelift: Treats the skin with underlying subcutaneous tissue and SMAS layer as separate units, tightening in potentially different vectors.
- Deep Plane Facelift: Involves dissection beneath the SMAS layer and releasing retaining ligaments, allowing the skin and SMAS to be lifted together as one unit in a vertical direction.
Longevity of Results
- SMAS Facelift: Results typically last 7–10 years, depending on skin quality, ageing, and individual factors.
- Deep Plane Facelift: Offers longer-lasting results, often 10–15 years, due to its deeper adjustments to facial structures.
Recovery Period
- SMAS Facelift: Recovery is typically shorter, with patients able to resume normal activities within 2-3 weeks.
- Deep Plane Facelift: Requires a longer recovery time due to the deeper tissue manipulation, often combined with other facial procedures as part of a vertical facelift. While bruising is often minimal, swelling may take longer to subside, and patients can resume normal activities at 1 month.
Which Facelift Right for You?
Choosing between a deep plane facelift and a SMAS facelift depends on various factors, including your age, skin quality, degree of facial aging, and aesthetic goals. Both techniques offer unique benefits, and the decision should be tailored to your individual needs.
Ideal Candidates for a Deep Plane Facelift
- Patients with moderate to severe facial ageing.
- Those seeking a more enhanced appearance and longer-lasting results.
- Individuals wanting a more comprehensive rejuvenation, such as the cheeks, nasolabial folds, and jawline.
Ideal Candidates for a SMAS Facelift
- Patients with mild to moderate facial ageing
- Those seeking a less invasive option or a shorter recovery period.
- Specific Patients Dr Turner Recommends SMAS Facelifts
- Revision Facelifts: Patients undergoing a secondary procedure, re-elevating the SMAS layer can increase the risk of nerve injury.
- Significant Weight Loss Patients: Individuals with large changes in BMI often have significant SMAS mobility and loss of volume and benefit from SMAS plication.
- Older Patients: The SMAS thins significantly with age, limiting the effectiveness of a deep plane technique, so the SMAS facelift is better suited.
Ultimately, neither technique is inherently superior. Research demonstrates that deep plane and SMAS facelifts can achieve excellent outcomes when performed by an experienced plastic surgeon. The key lies in the surgeon’s ability to customize the procedure based on your facial structure, unique concerns, and desired results.
Why Choose Dr Turner for Your Facelift Surgery in Sydney?
If you’re considering a facelift in Sydney, Dr Turner offers expertise, personalized care, and modern surgical techniques to help you achieve your aesthetic goals. Dr Turner is committed to guiding you through every step of the process, ensuring a safe and transformative experience.
Dr Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Sydney with extensive training in facial rejuvenation. His expertise spans a wide range of facelift techniques, including:
- Traditional SMAS and Deep Plane Facelifts.
- Short Scar (Mini) and Ponytail Facelifts for subtle enhancements.
- Comprehensive Vertical Restore Facelift for dramatic rejuvenation.
In addition, he offers a wide range of complementary facial procedures such as eyelid surgery, brow lifts, facial fat transfer and lip lifts, ensuring a holistic approach to facial aesthetics.
Why Expertise Matters
Facelifts, particularly deep plane facelifts, are technically demanding procedures that require a highly skilled and a experienced plastic surgeon. The deep plane facelift involves working on deeper facial structures, which can carry additional risks if not performed correctly. Dr Turner’s meticulous approach and extensive experience ensure both safety and exceptional outcomes.
Next Steps
Both traditional and deep plane facelifts offer significant benefits, but the deep plane facelift stands out for its ability to deliver enhanced lifting and long-lasting results. By addressing the deeper structures of the face, this advanced technique achieves a youthful, refreshed appearance that enhances your natural beauty.
Contact our clinic today to schedule your consultation with Dr Turner and take the first step towards achieving your facial aesthetic goals.
- Schedule a Consultation: Book your appointment with Dr Turner at his Manly Clinic in Sydney, Australia
- Prepare for Surgery: Follow any preoperative guidelines provided, such as avoiding certain medications and arranging for post-surgery care.
- Plan for Recovery: Set aside time for rest and healing and arrange for assistance during your initial recovery phase if needed.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional to determine the best treatment options for your individual needs. A formal quote will be provided after your consultation with Dr Turner that gives a better estimate of costs involved in your planned procedure.
