What Are the Different Types of Facelifts?
Facelifts come in many different types, and each one targets a specific need. The most common type of Beverly Hills facelift is the one that lifts the muscles and sagging skin around the face. But there are other types that target specific areas of the face and neck. Some information on these facelift types may overlap, but hopefully they educate you and help you decide on the kind of cosmetic facelift services you need before you schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.
Types of Facelifts
Traditional Facelift –this type of facelift targets sagging skin, and also corrects deeper structures of the face. This facelift tightens, lifts, and excises your facial skin. In some cases, a cosmetic surgeon might decide to re-suspend the fat and muscle during your facelift surgery.
SMAS Facelift –Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System or SMAS is now one of the most common facelift types offered in the market. The SMAS, in layman’s terms, refer to the network of muscles and tissues on your face. SMAS is the network of muscles that allows you to show a wide range of facial expressions and movements such as smiling and frowning.
Mini-Face Lift –mid-face lifts are also known as mini lifts and are performed under general anesthesia. This type of facelift focuses on the middle part of your face, around your cheekbones (which is why it is also called as a mid-facelift). Mini face lifts are generally cheaper compared to a standard, full facelift, and they have a shorter operation and recovery time.
This type of facelift helps in correcting sagging nasolabial folds. There is also a type of mini facelift with suture suspension, where sutures are attached into the underlying muscle and the ends are attached with non-dissolving threats reaching to the top of the head. It should be noted, however, that this type of facelift is unethical and therefore something we do not recommend.
Deep Plane Facelift –this type of facelift is considered new to the facelift family. Your cosmetic surgeon will operate on a deeper level in this procedure compared to other cosmetic facelift procedures. Deep plane lift requires more work done on the nasolabial area in order to improve the definition of one’s cheekbone. In a way, it is similar to the SMAS facelift, but it is more invasive and spreads tension to every layer of your facial tissues and structure, especially the facial bones. For individuals looking for a more thorough facelift, the deep plane approach offers rejuvenation by targeting deeper facial tissues. This technique not only enhances facial contours but also provides longer-lasting results by addressing the underlying structure, rather than just the surface. It’s ideal for those seeking a more natural and enduring transformation, with improvements that extend beyond superficial changes, resulting in a refreshed, youthful appearance.
The S-Lift –this type of Beverly Hills facelift improves the lower part of the face by making cuts or incisions in front of the ear to pull it laterally. Those who have had an S-Lift report getting smoother jawlines, necks and jowls, but there are no visible changes in the upper two-thirds part of their face.
Neck Lifts –neck lifts or platysma lifts are usually done at the same time as a facelift, if the patient requests for it. Neck lifts work to smoothen and tighten the excess skin and fat on your neck, resulting to a younger appearance in the next as well as a tighter face after getting a facelift.
If you feel like you don’t need a facelift, but think you have “turkey neck” syndrome, you can choose this cosmetic surgery done independently from a facelift.
Face Implants –face implants are offered to plastic surgery patients that want to add more character to their appearance. When done right, facial implants can improve the proportion and balance of your face. They can make a huge difference in how you look, for example they can give you a higher cheekbone and a stronger chin.
Temporal lift, forehead lift and/or brow lift –these procedures minimizes the appearance of wrinkles on the top third of a patient’s face and head, from the eyebrows up to the hairline.
Brow lifts usually requires ear-to-ear incisions at the top of the hair. This is the reason why brow lifts are recommended only to those who have a full head of hair to cover up the incision marks.
Non-surgical facelifts –this refers to a different category of facelift created for those who do not want to go under the knife for a facelift. Non-surgical Beverly Hills facelifts are generally cheaper compared to the surgical facelift options, but the results of liquid facelifts are short-lived and often come with some complications.
Choosing a Facelift Surgeon
Facelifts are done to improve the appearance of your face and neck, and make you look younger. If you’re interested in getting it done, make sure it’s done by a trusted and skilled facelift surgeon.
Below are some questions you must when choosing a Beverly Hills facelift surgeon:
- What are your surgery goals?
This might sound silly, but a facelift will only make you happy if it achieves the improvement you want for your face. The key to getting a successful facelift is your ability to communicate with your surgeon. It is important that you and your surgeon both agree with the goals you want achieve with your surgery.
- What kind of facelift technique does the surgeon specialize in and why?
There are many different facelift techniques but only a few surgeons perform them using the most advanced techniques. These techniques include SMAS lift, extended SMAS lift, skin only lift, deep plane lift, and vertical lift. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to facelifts, so make sure that the surgeon you choose can match the technique to your particular aging pattern instead of using a cookie cutter approach.
- How often do they perform this type of surgery?
This is an important question to ask. Because facelifts are a very specific type of surgery, you can only get the best results from a surgeon with experience and specialization in the procedure.
- How long after surgery are the before and after photos?
It’s important that you’re able to view before and after photos of the surgeon’s old clients. Almost all photos look good immediately after surgery due to the swelling. It can be misleading if the photos on display are less than three months old. For facelift surgeries, they need to show photos from at least 6 months after.
- Can you get referrals from previous patients?
Satisfied facelift patients are often willing to speak to others about their experience. If you any questions or doubts about your Beverly Hills facelift surgeon, ask the office for referrals from patients who’ve had surgery by your physician. This can help provide assurance in your decision.