SMAS Facelift vs. Deep Plane Facelift

SMAS and Deep Plane are both types of Facelift surgery that address common concerns affecting the lower and mid-face.

The lower and mid face are common areas of concern and can be affected by:

Ageing
Weight loss
Other lifestyle influences, such as smoking, diet or medical conditions

Although both are types of Facelift, SMAS and Deep Plane Facelifts address different patient concerns. If you are considering a Facelift procedure, it is important to understand these differences to decide which option is best for you.

Cadogan Clinic’s team of the UK’s leading Consultant Facelift Surgeons are all highly experienced in performing SMAS and Deep Plane Facelifts. They can provide a comprehensive assessment and bespoke treatment plan to meet your facial needs.

What is a SMAS Facelift?

SMAS Facelift is a surgical procedure which tightens the lower and mid-face skin and tissues.

The SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) layer, which is key to this technique, lies beneath the subcutaneous tissue and above the deeper muscles and ligaments.

During a SMAS Facelift, this thin layer of tissue is lifted and tightened before the skin is repositioned separately.

To fully address a patient's facial concerns, other procedures such as Blepharoplasty, Brow Lift and Lip Lift are commonly carried out alongside a SMAS Facelift for full facial rejuvenation. SMAS Face and Neck Lift can also be performed to ensure the neck is also rejuvenated.

A SMAS Facelift is performed under general anaesthetic or twilight sedation and typically takes 2-4 hours to complete.

What is a Deep Plane Facelift?

A Deep Plane Facelift is also a surgical procedure which lifts and tightens the skin and tissue in the lower and mid-face. Deep Plane is the most advanced Facelift technique, and is performed by the most experienced facial surgeons.

During a Deep Plane Facelift, the skin, muscles, fat, and tissues found beneath the SMAS are repositioned as a single unit rather than separately. Additionally, the connective ligaments are also released.

A Deep Plane Facelift can also be combined with a range of other facial procedures, most often a Neck Lift to enhance and refine the final results.

Depending on the involvement and complexity of the procedure, a Deep Plane Facelift takes up to 6 hours to complete and is performed under general anaesthetic.

Diagram showing the placement of the SMAS and underlying muscle within the skin and subcutaneous fat

Which Facelift Surgery is Right for Me?

Choosing between SMAS and Deep Plane Facelift depends on your exact concerns, their severity and your desired results.

The best way to understand these procedures and determine which one is right for you is to speak with an experienced and qualified Consultant Facial Surgeon who can thoroughly assess your concerns and develop an effective, individualised treatment plan.

Concerns Treated with Neck Lift

SMAS Facelift is usually most suited to patients in their 40s to 50s with moderate facial concerns.

Concerns best treated with SMAS Facelift include:

Loose skin – Skin laxity caused by ageing or dramatic weight loss can give the face a heavy and prematurely aged appearance
Jowls – Softness around the jawline caused by sagging skin is a common concern people wish to treat
Sagging or hollowed cheeks – Loss of volume and sagging skin can make the cheeks appear gaunt
Lines and wrinkles – Smoker’s Lines and other natural lines and wrinkles exacerbate skin texture

As a SMAS Facelift doesn’t address the deepest layers of facial tissue, it may not be suitable for the most severe concerns.

Concerns Treated with Deep Plane Facelift

Deep Plane Facelift is often most suited to patients in their 50s to 60s with moderate to severe facial concerns.

Deep Plane Facelift is recommended for patients who wish to address:

Loose skin – More severe cases of loose skin can be effectively addressed with a Deep Plane Facelift
Jawline definition – Jowls and a softened jawline can cause discomfort and emphasise heaviness in the face and neck
Weakened facial muscles – Reduced muscle tone in the lower and mid-face exacerbates the appearance of other facial concerns
Nasolabial folds – Deeper lines, such as Nasolabial Folds (also known as smile lines) may require deeper intervention than other lines and wrinkles

Although a Deep Plane Facelift is often recommended for older patients, it is important to remember that its suitability is based on the severity of an individual’s concerns, not just their age.

How are SMAS Facelift and Deep Plane Facelift Different from Other Types of Facelift?

If you are considering a Facelift procedure, you may have come across several terms and types of surgery.

Whereas terms such as Mini and Micro Facelift typically refer to the areas of the face being treated, SMAS and Deep Plane refer to the depth of tissue that a surgeon will work on during the procedure.

Therefore, a Mini or Micro Facelift could either be SMAS or Deep Plane, depending on the concerns and the desired results of the patient.

SMAS Facelift vs Deep Plane Facelift: Differences in Results

Although both SMAS and Deep Plane are types of Facelift, and address concerns relating to the contours and definition of the lower and mid-face, they achieve different results.

During your consultation, your surgeon will make their Facelift recommendations based on your concerns and desired results.

SMAS Facelift Results

SMAS Facelift addresses sagging skin and contouring concerns in the mid and lower face by repositioning the SMAS layer of tissue between the subcutaneous fat and the underlying supportive muscle.

SMAS Facelift results include:

Firmer skin – Excess skin around the jawline and cheeks is removed, resulting in a toned and more youthful appearance to the skin
Defined jawline – Jowls and softness around the jawline are targeted, achieving a smooth and sharp jawline
Smoothed lines and wrinkles – By repositioning the skin, lines and wrinkles are smoothed and their appearance reduced
Natural-looking results – Whereas traditional Facelift techniques are sometimes associated with a stretched appearance to the skin, by repositioning the SMAS layer the result is more natural and proportionate

Deep Plane Facelift Results

Deep Plane Facelift addresses many of the same concerns as a SMAS Facelift but can address more severe facial concerns.

Deep Plane Facelift results include:

Reduced excess skin – Loose skin is removed from the lower and mid-portions of the face, resulting in a toned and youthful appearance
Smooth jowls – Severe jowls can be effectively addressed and treated, achieving a sharp chin and jawline
Improved nasolabial folds – As well as effectively smoothing general lines and wrinkles, deeper lines, such as nasolabial folds, which can be resistant to other treatments, can be reduced
Tightened muscles – By lifting the underlying facial muscles and releasing the supporting ligaments, the longevity of the results is enhanced
Extremely natural results – Repositioning the muscles and fat pads as one unit allows the surgeon to achieve natural and balanced results

SMAS Facelift vs Deep Plane Facelift: Differences in Recovery

The difference in recovery times between SMAS Facelift and Deep Plane Facelift is due to the different levels of involvement during the two procedures.

During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss your expected recovery timeline, so you are able to prepare in advance. It is essential that you follow your surgeon’s recovery and aftercare instructions carefully to achieve the best possible results and prevent any complications.

At Cadogan Clinic, a comprehensive recovery and aftercare package is included with all Facelift procedures:

Follow-up appointments – Every patient will have at least two follow-up appointments with our specialist surgical nurses and with their surgeon to discuss their recovery and results
Round-the-clock support – Our nurses’ recovery phone line is available 24/7 to allow you to access assistance quickly, where required
Post-operative garments and medication – Any post-operative garments and medication are provided by your dedicated medical team ahead of your discharge, on the day of your procedure

SMAS Facelift Recovery

Swelling and bruising – Following a SMAS Facelift, it is normal to experience some swelling and bruising, which will resolve within 3 weeks
Sleeping position – After your SMAS Facelift, you will be asked to sleep on your back for at least 3 weeks to avoid placing pressure on the surgical site
Exercise – You should avoid any strenuous activity or exercise for at least 6 weeks after a SMAS Facelift to protect your incisions
Full recovery – Following a SMAS Facelift, full recovery is usually expected within 6 weeks

Deep Plane Facelift Recovery

Swelling and bruising – As Deep Plane Facelift involves working on the deeper layers of the facial tissue, swelling and bruising may take up to 5 weeks to fully heal
Sleeping position – It is essential that you sleep on your back for at least 4 weeks after a Deep Plane Facelift to protect your incisions
Exercise – Your surgeon will ask you to avoid any strenuous activities, exercise and heavy lifting for up to 8 weeks after a Deep Plane Facelift
Full recovery – Full recovery after a Deep Plane Facelift may take up to 12 weeks depending on the extent of the procedure

When Should I Get a SMAS Facelift or Deep Plane Facelift?

SMAS Facelift and Deep Plane Facelift are similar procedures on paper which achieve advanced facial rejuvenation. However, it is important to understand their individual applications and when either is more appropriate:

For moderate loose skin and ageing concerns, usually in patients in their 40s or 50s, SMAS Facelift is a suitable and effective procedure
To address more severe skin sagging and signs of ageing, usually for patients in their 50s or 60s, Deep Plane Facelift is the more appropriate option.

If you are considering a Facelift procedure, our team of dedicated surgical patient advisors are available to discuss your concerns and recommend the best surgeon to meet your needs.

Words From Our Founder

Mr. Bryan Mayou

It is understandable that there is often confusion among patients about the difference between SMAS Facelift and Deep Plane Facelift. While both of these procedures are highly effective and address many common facial concerns, such as loose skin or lines and wrinkles, their applications are typically based on the severity of the patient’s concerns, and the depth of the procedure required to achieve their desired outcomes.

Mr. Bryan Mayou

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SMAS the same as Deep Plane Facelift?

Both Deep Plane and SMAS face lifting are advanced surgical techniques, which achieve natural and balanced results by repositioning the deeper layers of tissue and muscle, rather than just the overlying skin, as is often the case in traditional Facelift methods.

The main difference between Deep Plane and SMAS Facelift is the depth of the tissue that is worked on during the procedure. During a SMAS Facelift, the SMAS layer, between the subcutaneous fat and underlying muscle, is repositioned and tightened. While this is highly effective for moderate concerns, it may not be enough to address more severe concerns. Deep Plane Facelift is able to effectively address these issues, by lifting and repositioning the deeper layers of facial muscle and releasing the supporting ligaments.

Which is better, SMAS or Deep Plane Facelift?

Both SMAS and Deep Plane Facelift are effective procedures which have their own purposes. Which is better is entirely determined by a patient’s concerns and desired outcomes.

For moderate signs of ageing, a SMAS Facelift is a highly effective option, whereas for more severe concerns, a Deep Plane Facelift may be better to achieve the patient’s desired results and address their concerns fully.

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