Deep Plane Facelift vs. SMAS Facelift: Which is Right for You?
Looking for the best path to a fresher, natural look? When you compare different types of surgical procedures like SMAS vs deep plane facelift, you’re really exploring approaches to facial rejuvenation that aim for a balanced, youthful appearance without looking overdone. Let’s set the stage so you can make a clear, confident choice.
Curious how these techniques actually differ in practice and results? We’ll outline what each method targets, how surgeons perform them, and what recovery can look like. By the end, you’ll understand the core distinctions and feel ready to ask smarter questions at your consultation.
Which is Better, SMAS or Deep Plane Facelift?
It depends on your anatomy, goals, and the surgeon’s assessment. A deep plane lift can reposition deeper tissues that influence the midface and jawline, which may benefit patients with heavier tissue or earlier cheek descent. A SMAS approach can be customized for definition and subtlety. The better option aligns with your facial structure, degree of laxity, and desired change. An experienced surgeon will match the method to you after a thoughtful exam and discussion.
Main Procedure Differences
Understanding the key differences between these two surgical techniques helps set realistic expectations. Both aim to elevate sagging tissue and reduce excess skin, but they do so at different depths beneath the surface. The approach your surgeon chooses influences how much definition you’ll see in the jawline and how naturally your facial contours settle over time.
The Deep Plane Facelift Procedure
The deep plane facelift technique releases and repositions the layer beneath the SMAS, freeing ligaments that tether the cheeks and jawline. Through discreet incisions around the ears and within the hairline, the surgeon elevates and re-suspends facial tissues as a single unit with the superficial facial muscles, rather than pulling skin alone. This deeper movement can refresh the midface, soften deep wrinkles that form from cheek descent, and sharpen the jawline while preserving a natural look. Skin is redraped without tension, and excess is trimmed before closure.
The SMAS Facelift Procedure
A traditional SMAS facelift focuses on lifting the superficial layers rather than going as deep as the deep plane approach. Through incisions placed discreetly around the ears and along the hairline, the surgeon separates and tightens the SMAS layer while preserving important facial ligaments. This controlled elevation smooths jowls and refines the lower face without overly altering deeper structures. It’s a versatile option that allows for subtle reshaping and can be tailored for a more conservative or dramatic outcome depending on the patient’s needs.
The Recovery Processes
Recovery plays a major role in the decision-making process, so it’s important to understand how these two approaches compare. In this section, we’ll look at the typical timelines for swelling, bruising, and return to normal activity. You’ll also get a sense of what each recovery feels like day to day, so you know what to expect from start to finish.
The Deep Plane Facelift Recovery
Most patients experience swelling and bruising for the first week, with tightness and a feeling of fullness through the cheeks and jawline. Sutures are typically removed around one week, and light daily activities resume soon after. By the end of week two, much of the visible bruising has faded, and many patients feel comfortable in social settings.
Numbness along the cheeks can persist as nerves wake up. Strenuous exercise usually waits until week four to six, depending on your surgeon’s guidance. Results continue to refine for several months as the deeper tissues settle into a natural position.
The SMAS Facelift Recovery
Recovery after a SMAS facelift often follows a similar early course with swelling and bruising peaking in days two to three, then steadily improving through the first week. Sutures typically come out around one week, and patients return to routine, non‑strenuous activities shortly after. The lower face and neck may feel tight as internal support heals, and mild numbness near the ears is common.
By the second week, many patients feel presentable with makeup or strategic hairstyling. Exercise and heavier lifting are usually postponed until week four to six, per your surgeon’s plan. While you will see immediate refinement of the jawline, the most natural settling occurs over several months as the SMAS adjustments integrate and the skin relaxes over the new contours.
Facelift Surgery Before and After
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
Expected Results and Longevity
While both approaches aim to restore youthful definition, the degree of improvement and how long it lasts can vary. The deep plane technique repositions deeper structures for more foundational change, whereas SMAS adjustments focus on surface refinement. In this section, we’ll explore how results emerge over time and what you can realistically expect in the first year and beyond.
The Deep Plane Facelift Results
Patients who undergo a deep plane facelift often notice a more lifted midface and smoother transition from the cheeks to the jawline. Because deeper structures are repositioned rather than pulled from above, the results tend to appear soft and organic rather than tight.
Improvements continue to refine for several months, with many enjoying a rejuvenated profile that can last a decade or longer, depending on skin quality and lifestyle. The strength of this method lies in its ability to restore youthful volume and support where aging first begins.
The SMAS Facelift Results
SMAS-focused lifts typically refine the jawline, smooth jowls, and improve the lower cheek area with a polished, natural finish. Because the surgeon tightens and repositions the SMAS layer, skin can be redraped without tension, which helps avoid a pulled look. Early definition is visible once swelling subsides in the first couple of weeks, with continued softening as tissues settle. Many patients appreciate the subtlety and control this method offers, especially when the main concern is lower face laxity rather than significant midface descent. With good skin care and healthy habits, results often remain satisfying for many years, and touch-ups can be tailored if future aging creates new areas of laxity. The goal is crisp contouring that blends seamlessly with your features rather than changing how you look.
Benefits of Each Procedure
While both facelift methods aim to rejuvenate similar areas, each offers its own set of advantages depending on your anatomy and goals. In the next two sections, we’ll compare how one approach may outperform the other in certain situations, giving you a clearer sense of which path aligns better with your needs.
The Deep Plane Facelift Benefits
Patients with significant midface drooping or fuller facial structure often benefit more from this deeper approach because it repositions the support system rather than relying on surface tightening.
By releasing internal ligaments, the surgeon can create smoother transitions and a stronger lift without visible pulling. This often leads to longer-lasting outcomes and a softer, more youthful expression that doesn’t look operated on.
The SMAS Facelift Benefits
Patients whose main concerns are jowling, lower face laxity, or early neck banding often benefit from this approach because it tightens the SMAS with precision while avoiding excessive changes to deeper structures. The technique is highly adaptable and can be tailored for subtle refinement or more noticeable definition. It is also a strong option for thinner tissues or when a patient prefers a conservative plan that still looks refreshed. Many appreciate the smooth jawline, improved marionette area, and natural skin redraping that follows, and it pairs well with a neck-focused strategy when needed.
Revitalize with Dr. Frankel
Step into a world where beauty blends with science, and let Dr. Frankel guide you to a refreshed, youthful appearance.
Consult with an Expert Facial Plastic Surgeon
Choosing an experienced surgeon is essential because technique alone does not guarantee a great outcome. Nuanced planning, mastery of facial anatomy, and judgment developed through years of facial plastic surgery are what protect function and elevate aesthetics. The right specialist will tailor the approach, whether you benefit more from a traditional facelift, focused mini facelifts, or a combined neck lift.
As a double board-certified expert, Dr. Andrew S. Frankel focuses exclusively on the face and neck and is known for natural, long-lasting results in complex cosmetic surgery cases. His background includes academic teaching and a fellowship dedicated to advanced facelift techniques. If you are considering next steps, call us at 310-552-2173 or visit our contact page to schedule a consultation.
