HIGH SMAS FACELIFT

A facelift refers to all surgical procedures that aim for lasting rejuvenation of the face and neck. However, only techniques, that tighten not just the skin, but also the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) will achieve a long-lasting, natural appearance.

Every High SMAS Facelift is preceded by a detailed examination and comprehensive photo documentation. The precise approach is customized and planned individually to ensure optimal results.

The procedure is performed as an inpatient surgery under general anesthesia. 

The incision follows the hairline or is hidden in the hair, continues around the ear in the natural crease, behind the tragus, around the earlobe, and into the hairline at the nape.

This discreet placement elegantly minimizes the visibility of future scars. The SMAS is then separated and lifted. Finally, excess skin is removed.

A High SMAS Facelift is often combined with brow lift, lower eyelid tightening, and sometimes upper eyelid tightening. Depending on the extent of the corrections desired, the surgery takes between four and six hours.

Deep Plane and High SMAS facelifts are similar in incision placement, but differ because only in High SMAS facelifts is the skin separated from the underlying muscle layer.

By preparing the skin and underlying muscles separately, the High SMAS method allows tightening them in different directions. A Deep Plane Facelift lifts skin and facial muscles as one unit.

The High SMAS Facelift is different from classic facelifts by tightening not only the superficial skin but also deeper structures like muscles and connective tissue (SMAS). This modern aesthetic facial surgery method achieves a much more natural and longer lasting result since the tension is in deeper tissue layers, not the skin. Advantages include visibly rejuvenated appearance, barely noticeable scars, and a harmonious, durable result, unlike a traditional facelift.

A Midface Lift is a method of tightening the midface, the triangular area from the tip of the chin to the lower rim of the eye sockets, including the front cheek areas.

With age, the fat pads beneath the midface diminish. The gentle transition from the lower eyelid to the cheek disappears, and the face may appear tired and hollow. The appearance of “droopy”, sagging skin is compounded by changes in fat and tissue volume.

A Mini Lift is a tightening of the facial skin to lift sagging cheeks. Like a midface lift, it does not fully address facial aging.

A High SMAS facelift, performed by a specialist using modern techniques, can last 10 to 15 years.

Genetics, nutrition, and personal habits, especially sun and nicotine exposure, play a great role.

The first sutures are removed after five days; the last sutures are removed after seven to ten days.

Typically, wound drains are removed with the first sutures, about five days after the facelift.

As with any surgery, bleeding, bruising, wound healing problems, and infection can occur. To avoid injury to facial nerves, facelifts should only be performed by experienced, board-certified specialists in Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery. 

Facelift scars run within or along the hairline. Around the ears, they follow the natural curves of the ear, and continue behind the ear into the hairline of the neck.

You will be socially presentable about three weeks after a facelift. Bruising will have faded and swelling will be gone. Numbness and slight redness of the incisions can last up to three months.  Facial firmness can last up to six months.

A facelift is always performed as an inpatient procedure. The hospital stay lasts one to two days.

To avoid a noticeable difference between face and neck, it is best to consider combining a facelift and a neck lift.

The results of liposuction alone are usually not satisfactory. With age, superficial neck fat decreases, while fat under the neck muscles often increases.

As only the superficial fat can be removed, liposuction alone does not achieve the desired neck rejuvenation.

Every neck lift is preceded by a detailed exam and thorough photo documentation. It must be determined if there’s just skin laxity, or if the muscle bands are especially pronounced or saliva glands enlarged.

The procedure is inpatient under general anesthesia. Depending on findings, neck lifting includes reducing submuscular fat and enlarged salivary glands. The neck muscles in the midline and side skin behind the ear are then tightened.

A neck lift is ideally done together with a facelift. Exceptions are for patients, who have very full necks at a young age. When rejuvenating the face, both face and neck should always be seen as a unit.

Because facial aging varies individually, a facelift can be considered at any adult age.

If previous surgeries have been performed carefully, a facelift can be repeated two to three times.

No other method achieves the results of a quality facelift. 

The cost of a facelift can only be determined after a careful examination of your face and neck. A non-binding consultation including photo analysis lasts about 60 minutes.