SMAS vs Deep Plane Facelift

While the deep plane facelift has gained considerable recognition over the last several years, many are still performing a simple SMAS lift.  It's important to note that with a deep plane facelift, all the retaining ligaments are released for the upper, mid, and lower face.  This provides more mobility for the cheek and effacing the smile lines (release of the zygomaticocutaneous ligament), the lower face, jowls, and marionnette (release of the masseteric and mandibular retaining ligaments).  With a SMAS lift, the SMAS is not undermined and retaining ligaments are not released.  The SMAS is simply grabbed and resuspended.  This is effective for younger patients with thin skin and who do not have significant midface descent, jowling, or deep folds.  With some patients, releas of the masseteric and mandibular retaining ligaments only will provide good mobility for the lower face and jawline while leaving the midface undisturbed.  Dr. Funk performs all of these types of facelifts in Houston.