SMAS Facelift in St. Paul & Minneapolis, MN
Redefine facial contours with advanced superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) facelift surgery
While surface skin tightening can improve some signs of aging, a SMAS facelift addresses the deeper tissues that contribute to sagging. This facial plastic surgery technique can restore definition to the lower face and neck.
At Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery, our facial plastic surgeons use their knowledge of facial anatomy to determine whether a SMAS facelift is right for patients in Minneapolis-St. Paul and the Twin Cities.
What is a SMAS Facelift?
A SMAS facelift lifts and repositions the layer of tissue beneath the skin to address sagging in the lower face and neck. The SMAS, or superficial musculoaponeurotic system, connects the facial muscles and soft tissues, making it an important part of the facial structure. By addressing this deeper layer during facelift surgery, your surgeon can improve jowls, loose skin, and jawline definition rather than relying on skin tightening alone.
Your surgeon can address the SMAS in different ways, depending on your facial anatomy, the degree of tissue laxity, and your goals. During your consultation at Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery, your surgeon will evaluate these factors to determine whether a SMAS facelift is the appropriate approach.
Benefits of an SMAS Facelift
A SMAS facelift addresses the deeper tissues beneath the skin, allowing your surgeon to improve sagging without relying on skin tightening alone. Depending on your facial anatomy and treatment plan, benefits may include:
- A more defined jawline: Reduces jowls and sagging along the lower face.
- Improved facial contours: Lifts descended tissue in the cheeks and lower face.
- A smoother neck: Can improve loose skin and laxity in the neck when addressed as part of the procedure.
- Natural-looking results: Repositions facial tissues while preserving your natural facial expressions and features.
- Long-lasting improvement: Addresses underlying tissue laxity rather than treating the skin alone.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a SMAS Facelift?
A SMAS facelift may be considered when facial aging involves sagging beneath the skin, not just excess skin at the surface. This technique may be appropriate for patients with:
- Jowls and lower-face sagging that extend beyond surface skin laxity
- Loss of jawline definition caused by changes in the deeper facial tissues
- Sagging that cannot be adequately addressed by skin tightening alone
- Moderate to significant laxity where a deeper lift is appropriate
During your visit at our surgery center, your surgeon will examine your facial structure, skin laxity, and the areas affected by sagging to determine whether a SMAS facelift is appropriate for you.
How Does a SMAS Facelift Work?
A SMAS facelift involves lifting and repositioning the deeper facial tissues before the skin is redraped over the improved contours. The exact surgical approach varies based on your facial anatomy, the degree of sagging, and the areas you want to address.
After the incisions are made, the surgeon accesses the SMAS layer beneath the skin and lifts or repositions it to provide support to the lower face. Addressing this deeper tissue helps reduce reliance on skin tension alone. Once the underlying tissues are repositioned, the skin is carefully redraped over the new contours. Excess skin is removed as needed, and the incisions are closed along carefully planned areas around the ears and hairline.
SMAS Facelift vs. Other Techniques
Understanding how a SMAS facelift differs from other facelift approaches can help you understand which technique may be appropriate for your facial anatomy and degree of sagging.
- SMAS vs. Traditional Facelift: A skin-only approach relies primarily on tightening the outer layer of skin. A SMAS facelift also lifts and repositions the underlying SMAS layer, allowing the skin to be redraped over the underlying facial tissues rather than carrying the full tension of the lift.
- SMAS vs. Mini Facelift: A mini facelift generally involves a smaller treatment area and may be appropriate for patients with less extensive laxity. A SMAS facelift addresses the deeper tissues and can provide more comprehensive correction of sagging in the lower face, jowls, and, when included in the surgical plan, the neck.
Your facial plastic surgeon will evaluate your facial structure, skin laxity, and areas of concern to determine which facelift approach is appropriate. Learn more about facelift surgery in Minneapolis at Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery.
SMAS Facelift Recovery
Because a SMAS facelift involves repositioning the tissue beneath the skin, healing occurs at more than just the skin level. Early swelling and tightness can make the face feel firm, particularly around the cheeks and jawline, as the repositioned tissues settle.
Your surgeon will provide activity and incision-care instructions based on the extent of your surgery. As swelling resolves, the skin and underlying SMAS layer gradually settle together, allowing the improved facial contours to become more apparent.
How Much Does a SMAS Facelift Cost in Minneapolis-St. Paul?
The cost of a SMAS facelift varies based on the extent of surgery, surgical technique, anesthesia, and facility costs. Additional procedures, such as a neck lift, can also affect the total cost. Schedule a consultation at Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery to discuss your surgical plan and receive a procedure-specific estimate.
Experienced Facial Plastic Surgeons For Your SMAS Facelift
Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery is dedicated to facial plastic surgery, giving its surgeons focused experience with the anatomy and surgical techniques involved in facial rejuvenation. The surgery team has experience performing SMAS facelifts to address concerns such as jowls, lower-face sagging, jawline definition, and neck laxity.
Your surgeon will evaluate your facial anatomy and the extent of sagging to determine whether a SMAS facelift is appropriate and how the technique can address your specific concerns. Patients throughout Minneapolis-St. Paul and the Twin Cities can access the practice at its Eagan, Lakeville, Vadnais Heights, and Woodbury locations.
SMAS Facelift FAQs
How long do SMAS facelift results last?
Because an SMAS facelift lifts and supports the underlying facial structure rather than just stretching the skin, results typically last 10 years or more. While your face will continue to age naturally, you will always look younger than if you had never had the procedure.
Where are SMAS facelift incisions placed?
Incisions are strategically placed in the natural creases around the ear and blend seamlessly into the hairline. Once healed, the scars are discreet and practically imperceptible.
Will an SMAS facelift fix sagging on my neck?
Because the SMAS layer extends continuously down into the neck muscles (the platysma), an SMAS facelift naturally tightens and refines the upper neck and jawline. If you have significant loose neck skin or muscle banding, your surgeon can incorporate a dedicated neck lift for a seamless profile.
What type of anesthesia is used?
For your comfort and safety, SMAS facelift surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia or twilight IV sedation, fully monitored by a specialized anesthesia team.
How soon will I see my final SMAS facelift results?
You will notice an immediate improvement in your facial structure once dressings are removed. While most visible swelling and bruising resolve within 2-3 weeks, your final, refined contours will continue to settle beautifully over 3-6 months.
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Before + After Results
View before and after photos of surgeries performed by facial plastic surgeons Dr. Christopher Tolan, Dr. Garrett Griffin, Dr. Sebastian Sciegienka, and Dr. Anna Bakeman in Minneapolis, MN.
