One of the most common questions I hear is, “What type of facelift do I need?” The reality is that every patient is different, and the best approach depends on your anatomy, degree of aging, skin quality, and the areas you want to improve.
What Does a Facelift Improve?
Facelifts are designed to improve jawline laxity, loose skin beneath the chin, and age-related changes in the lower face and neck. The exact approach depends on the degree of correction needed and the areas being treated.
In most cases, facelift incisions start near the ear, follow the contour around the ear, and extend behind the ear into the hairline. The exact incision design can vary depending on the patient and the areas being treated.
SMAS vs Deep Plane Facelift
Some patients benefit from a SMAS facelift, while others with more advanced laxity may be stronger candidates for a deep plane approach. The best option depends on the amount of correction needed, your anatomy, and your long-term goals.
I have a video and an article on this topic. Learn more about the differences between Deep Plane and SMAS facelifts.
What is a Mini Facelift?
Patients also commonly ask about a “mini facelift.” In many cases, the term “mini” simply refers to the length of the incision and the amount of correction being performed.
I’ve had patients in their late 40s or early 50s who mainly wanted a small amount of correction along the jawline and didn’t necessarily require a more extensive facelift incision.
When is a Neck Lift Needed?
Part of facelift surgery sometimes involves addressing the neck area as well. When I reference a neck lift in my practice, I’m usually referring to correcting platysmal banding and laxity beneath the chin and through the neck.
Some patients can get enough improvement in the neck with a facelift alone. However, patients with heavier neck banding may require a separate incision underneath the chin so the platysma muscles can be tightened to improve support in the neck area.
What is a Revision Facelift?
Some patients come in several years after a prior facelift because they’ve started noticing new signs of aging in the face and neck again. In those situations, we may discuss a revision facelift or revision neck lift.
The term “revision facelift” simply means you’ve already had facelift surgery in the past. Depending on the patient, a revision procedure may still involve either an SMAS or deep plane approach.
So, Which Facelift is Right for You?
That’s difficult to answer without an in-person evaluation because every patient is different. Factors like age, skin texture, facial anatomy, smoking history, weight loss, and the degree of aging all play a role in determining the best approach.
During a consultation, I evaluate the areas that are bothering you most and recommend the facelift approach best suited to achieving natural-looking, balanced results.
