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Face-Lift Methods

A face-lift is a surgical procedure used to remove wrinkles and sagging skin due to the effects of aging. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 112,933 Americans had face-lifts in 2008. There are several methods used to perform face-lifts. The method you and your doctor choose will depend on the condition of your face prior to surgery.

  1. SMAS Lift

    • The superficial musculoponeurotic system (SMAS) face-lift is a good choice if you have loose skin in the neck and jowls, sagging in the middle part of your face and are 45 or older. During a SMAS, an incision is made around the temple behind the hairline extending below the ear. Another incision may be made under the jaw. After the incisions have been made, the layer of muscle and tissue covering the face is lifted and tightened. Extra tissue is also removed during the procedure, and stitches are used to keep the face in its new position.

    Deep Plane Lift

    • Deep plane lifts are helpful if you have loose skin and extreme facial sagging. The procedure is similar to the SMAS lift, but is done on a deeper level than the SMAS. The deep-plane lift is also helpful in tightening loose skin on the neck. Excess skin is removed during the procedure, and remaining skin and muscles are reshaped. Stitches or staples hold the face-lift in place.

    Endoscopic Lift

    • Younger people who don't have much excess skin or neck sagging may choose to have an endoscopic face-lift. Endoscopic face-lifts aren't as invasive as SMAS or deep-plane lifts and don't usually require an overnight stay in a hospital or general anesthesia. During an endoscopic face-lift, tiny incisions are placed behind the hairline. A thin probe containing a camera and small surgical instruments are inserted into the incisions, allowing the surgeon to view his progress on a monitor. People who have this type of face-lift usually experience fewer complications and a shorter recovery period than those people who have more invasive face-lifts.

    Short Scar Lift

    • A short-scar face-lift can help people who are in their 40s-to-50s and have mild to moderate extra skin. The name of the surgery refers to the S-shaped incision that the surgeon makes at the front of the ear or temple. Through this incision, the surgeon tightens loose skin and the underlying tissue that supports the jowls and areas around the mouth. Because the incision is fairly small, the recovery period is shorter compared with deep plane or SMAS procedures. The procedure may not be helpful in removing sagging skin in the neck or lower face.

    Thread Lift

    • If you are in your 30s or 40s and don't have much loose skin or serious sagging, a minimally invasive thread lift may be an option for you. During a thread lift, your doctor uses a needle to insert barbed sutures under your facial tissues. The sutures are usually used to lift eyelids, eyebrows and the area between the corners of your mouth and your nose. The barbs help anchor the sagging skin to the facial tissues. No incisions are needed for this type of procedure.

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