Deciding which type of facelift is right for you can be a difficult task, with so many options available. The SMAS facelift is gaining immense popularity due to its natural-looking and long-lasting results. The superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) facelift is a corrective surgery that focuses on the connective tissue and muscle layers that support the midface region, jawline, and neck. It helps to firm and rebuild the internal structure of facial muscles and tissues, improving the appearance of the neck, cheeks, double chin, and forehead.
Dr. Philip Miller, a dual-certified facial plastic surgeon, specializes in facial plastic surgery and is an expert in facial rejuvenation procedures. He performs a full facelift that lifts the skin along with the underlying layer of the SMAS. This lifts and firms the entire middle and lower part of the face, giving it a natural look that mimics the structure of a younger face.
Miller also creates well-hidden incisions to avoid obvious scarring. Both the SMAS and deep plane facelifts focus on the lower two-thirds of the face and address sagging skin, excess fat, double chin, and loss of volume in the cheeks. A deep plane approach also improves the appearance of the neck. The SMAS technique was developed as a less invasive alternative to traditional facelift surgery, producing results that look more natural.
The procedure involves making incisions in the temples above the hairline so that they are hidden. Compared to a deep flat lift, it elevates the skin and SMAS layers separately instead of joining them together. The most spectacular, natural-looking results are achieved with a full facelift with SMAS, with incisions on both sides of the face that begin at the temple and extend down and around the ear to the bottom of the scalp. These incisions are well hidden inside the hairline.
If a neck lift is performed at the same time, there will also be a small incision under the chin. Fat is also removed or repositioned to rejuvenate facial contours and provide a soft base for the skin. The combined end results of firmer skin, fewer wrinkles, and a defined jawline can make a facelift patient look up to ten years younger. The best facelift for you is one that meets your specific needs and goals.
Miller will work with you to understand your concerns and create a personalized plan to achieve an optimal outcome for you. It will also consider your medical history and current conditions to ensure that the procedure you choose is safe and effective. The most natural-looking facelift will be one performed by an experienced facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Miller who has extensive experience in this field.
Miller has three basic types of facelifts that he offers in his offices in New York and New Orleans: deep flat facelifts, mini facelifts, and single-point facelifts. A deep flat facelift involves incisions behind and around the ears and along the hairline in the temples so that Dr. Miller can access areas needed to produce dramatic improvement. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately four hours to complete with recovery taking 10 to 14 days.
Mini facelifts are quickly becoming a popular option in surgical facelifts as they are less invasive than deep flat facelifts but still give you a renewed appearance by suspending SMAS facial muscle. This type of plastic surgery is ideal for people who want to correct sagging cheeks, skin laxity at jawline, sagging midface, puppet lines, double chin or double chin but don't want dramatic changes or long recovery times. The single-point facelift focuses on restoring structure and volume of cheekbones resulting in a natural and youthful face that can make you lose years of appearance. This micro-facelift is most effective in patients aged 35+ who are experiencing first signs of aging but surprisingly can also be used by younger patients who want subtle changes without going through major surgery or recovery time.
