The 4 Types of Facelifts: How To Make The Right Choice?
- rrbeautyaesthetic
- Mar 15, 2025
- 4 min read
Facelift procedures come in various forms, each offering different levels of rejuvenation based on the technique used. At R&R Beauty Aesthetic, our facial aesthetic surgeons specialize in SMAS and deep-plane facelifts, known for delivering natural, long-lasting results with a well-balanced recovery time. In this article, we’ll explain the four main facelift techniques and how to make the right choice.
The Four Primary Facelift Techniques
1. Skin-Only Facelift
Indications: Mild skin laxity with minimal structural sagging.
Expected Results: Typically lasts 1–3 years.
Surgical Approach: This technique involves lifting and tightening only the skin without altering the underlying facial structures. It is a relatively more affordable and superficial procedure with a shorter recovery period, but does not provide long-term correction of deeper tissue laxity.
Limitations: Since it does not address the deeper support structures of the face, the results are temporary, and excessive skin tension may create an unnatural appearance.
2. SMAS Facelift
Indications: Moderate sagging of the midface, jowls, and lower face.
Expected Results: Typically reverses signs of aging by 7–10 years.
Typical Age Range: 35 - 55
Surgical Approach: The SMAS facelift targets the fibrous layer beneath the skin (the SMAS layer), which provides facial support. By lifting and repositioning this layer, surgeons can restore youthful contours while maintaining a natural appearance.
Advantages: Compared to a skin-only facelift, an SMAS facelift delivers longer-lasting, more natural results without excessive tension on the skin, reducing the risk of visible scarring or an unnatural appearance. Recovery is typically shorter than with more invasive techniques.
3. Deep Plane Facelift
Indications: Advanced facial aging with significant laxity in the midface, nasolabial folds, and jawline.
Expected Results: Typically reverses signs of aging by 10–15 years.
Typical Age Range: 45 - 65+
Surgical Approach: Unlike the SMAS facelift, the deep plane technique lifts both the skin and SMAS as a single unit and releases key retaining ligaments to reposition deeper facial structures more extensively
Advantages: This technique offers a significant transformation, but it requires more surgical expertise leading to higher cost and has a slightly longer recovery time. For patients under the age of 45 with less severe sagging, the SMAS facelift provides comparable results with lower risks.
4. Subperiosteal Facelift
Indications: Patients with volume loss and midface descent, particularly in the cheek and forehead regions.
Expected Results: Typically lasts 10–15 years.
Surgical Approach: This is the deepest facelift technique, in which the surgeon lifts facial tissues from the periosteum (the thin membrane covering the bones). This approach is particularly effective for elevating the midface and cheek area but is not commonly used for lower face rejuvenation.
Limitations: Due to the depth of dissection, swelling and recovery time are significantly longer, making this a less common choice.
Why Is SMAS Facelift More Expensive Than A Skin-Only Facelift?
Deeper Tissue Repositioning – Unlike a skin-only facelift, which simply tightens the skin, an SMAS facelift lifts and repositions the underlying muscle layer (SMAS). This requires greater precision and skill.
Longer-Lasting Results – SMAS facelifts typically last 7–10 years, while a skin-only facelift may last just 1–3 years. Because skin-only facelift ignores the deeper structural layers of the face, it has largely been phased out by modern plastic surgeons.
Specialized Surgical Expertise – The SMAS layer is delicate, and repositioning it without causing tension or an unnatural look requires an experienced plastic surgeon. Surgeons with extensive facelift expertise typically charge higher fees.
Surgical Time and Complexity – A SMAS facelift takes longer to perform than a skin-only facelift. More time in the operating room contributes to higher surgical and facility costs.
Improved Aesthetic Outcome – By addressing both skin laxity and deeper facial structures, SMAS facelifts provide more natural, youthful results. The additional refinement justifies the higher cost.
Why Choose R&R Beauty Aesthetic for Your Facelift Procedure?
At R&R Beauty Aesthetic, we prioritize:
✔ Safety: All procedures are performed in leading internationally accredited hospitals under strict medical protocols.
✔ Expertise: Our surgeons are highly trained and experienced in SMAS and deep-plane facelift techniques.
✔ Comprehensive Aftercare: We offer comprehensive post-operative care, including dressing change, wound care, and Dermalux Tri-Wave MD LED light therapy at our aesthetic clinic, to ensure a smooth and quicker recovery.
How to Choose The Right Type of Facelift?
At R&R Beauty Aesthetic, our facial aesthetic surgeons specialize in both SMAS and deep-plane facelift techniques. The most suitable approach depends on your facial anatomy, degree of aging, tissue laxity, and aesthetic goals.
For many patients, a SMAS facelift offers an excellent balance of longevity, safety, natural-looking results, and recovery time. It can effectively address sagging in the lower face and jawline while maintaining a relatively predictable recovery process.
A deep-plane facelift may be recommended for patients with more advanced facial aging, particularly those with significant tissue descent, loss of cheek volume, pronounced nasolabial folds, or deeper facial laxity. By repositioning deeper facial structures, this technique can provide more comprehensive rejuvenation in selected patients.
Patients with mild or early signs of aging, particularly along the jawline, may also be candidates for a mini facelift. This procedure involves shorter incisions and less extensive tissue dissection, making it a suitable option for patients seeking a more subtle improvement.
If you are unsure which facelift technique is right for you, contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation with our team.
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