Different Types of Facelift And Neck Lift

Different Types of Facelift Procedures

Facelifts can be divided into different categories based on the degree of SMAS lifting, size and placement of the incision, and which part of the face needs to be addressed. Let’s look at the simplified list of the different variations of facelifts:

1. Skin-Only Facelift

As the name suggests, the skin-only facelift is aimed at lifting your surface facial and neck skin. This facelift procedure does not involve facial muscles and SMAS lifting. skin-only facelift surgery gained a lot of popularity in the early 90s. With the advancement of technology, this technique is rarely used today. As the technique revolves around lifting the skin, it ignores the most important aspect of a facelift- SMAS. SMAS laxity is the main cause of facial ageing and skin-only facelift will provide short-term, less comprehensive results. During the procedure, your surgeon will create a 1-2 cm incision in front of the ear, tightly pull the skin, and remove excess.

2. Mini Facelift

A mini facelift is ideal for individuals dealing with mild to moderate signs of ageing, mainly in the middle and lower face. It addresses facial wrinkles, jowls, and lax skin in the upper neck and cheeks.
The surgery involves a small incision that is made in front of each ear and extends behind the earlobe. After that, SMAS is pulled up and lifted, excess skin is removed, and incisions are closed with the help of fine sutures.

3. Traditional Facelift – The SMAS lift

A traditional facelift or SMAS lift is ideal for people dealing with moderate to severe signs of ageing. This procedure can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, jowls, marionette lines, and lax skin.

A traditional facelift is an extensive procedure that can take anywhere from 3 to 4 hours to complete. The surgeon creates the incisions on each side of the face – the incision typically starts at the temple along the hairline, at the back and front of the ear, around the earlobe, and a little back along the hairline. The surgeon will release the skin from SMAS, muscles, and fat. The SMAS and deep tissues are pulled up. This lifts your entire face and neck muscles.

Some patients may choose to combine a facelift with other surgery such as nose surgery or blepharoplasty (eyelid lift).

Have a look at Dr Turner’s results in the complete Facelift Photo Gallery.

4. Deep-Plane Facelift

A deep plane facelift or composite facelift is the most complex type of facelift surgery. The surgery involves extensive dissection of the tissues underneath the SMAS. The defining feature of this procedure is that it offers extensive lifting of the cheeks.

5. Mid Facelift

Mid facelift or cheek lift is ideal for individuals who want to address mid-face volume loss associated with ageing. The procedure aims to reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds and lift your cheeks.

Dr Turner will create two vertical incisions on either side of your face behind your hairline. He will then secure the SMAS and pull it higher. The excess skin will be removed and incisions will be closed with the help of the sutures.

6. Brow Lift or Forehead Lift Surgery

A brow lift, also referred to as a forehead lift, focuses on addressing forehead wrinkles. Multiple techniques are used to perform the surgery. Coronal lift is the most commonly used one – it involves a horizontal incision that runs along the forehead hairline. The subcutaneous tissue is pulled up and fixed into place with the help of sutures. Dr Turner will remove any excess skin and close the incisions.

7. Liquid Facelift – A Non-Surgical Facelift done with Fillers

A so-called “liquid facelift” or a non-surgical facelift makes use of injectable dermal fillers to add volume to the treated area. Dermal fillers are injected underneath your skin to increase the volume and minimise the appearance of wrinkles.

A liquid facelift also helps with wrinkles around the lips, eyes, temples, and jowls. The procedure is suitable for those who have minimal signs of ageing. It is not for patients with moderate to severe signs of ageing and excess skin.

8. Thread Lift – done with injectable threads

A thread lift involves the use of PDO Threads. This type of facelift is a non-surgical alternative to a surgical facelift. When compared with the surgical facelift, it is less extensive. Thread lift is performed under local anaesthesia and patients can go home on the same day of the procedure.

During the process, a needle with a biocompatible thread is inserted through the skin into the fat planes and out of the skin. Then, the thread is pulled tightly to straighten the skin and pull the underlying tissue. The threads hold their position for a few months before getting dissolved. During this time frame, the threads stimulate your body’s natural healing response and collagen production.