What is a SMAS facelift in Seattle Tacoma?
SMAS is short for the superficial muscular aponeurotic system. This system extends from the lower layers of our skin into the supporting layers underneath. We know that as we age, the weakening of these supporting layers causes sagging. A SMAS seeks to remedy sagging by repositioning the skin, like a traditional facelift, but also some of the facial muscles.
During a SMAS facelift, a surgeon makes a series of incisions above your hairline. Next, they will gently lift your facial and neck skin, along with the underlying SMAS layer to tighten your facial features. Once satisfied with the placement any excess skin may be trimmed before your Seattle facelift surgeon places sutures at the incision sites.
This procedure leads to much more natural results than the skin only facelifts used in the past. In a sense, it is less of a skin tightening procedure than it is a skin and muscle tightening procedure.
What is a deep plane facelift?
The deep plane facelift is considered the gold standard of facelifts. They should only be performed by an expert in facial plastic surgery such as Dr. Santos. SMAS facelifts can produce exceptional results for certain individuals. However, they do still rely on skin tightening. As we learned in the traditional facelift section, skin tightening does not always provide the best outcome.
Deep plane facelifts go one step further than SMAS facelifts. Aging occurs all over our bodies, including beneath the SMAS layer. In a deep plane facelift, your surgeon will lift your skin along with all supporting layers to reposition. As well as tighten and smooth the visible signs of aging. Once satisfied on the best placement for the best results, your surgeon will remove excess skin and tissue before suturing. By repositioning everything as one unit, the most natural results can appear.
While this procedure sounds misleadingly extreme, it can actually result in quicker recoveries. Because there is no underlying separation, we experience less trauma, less swelling, less bruising and quicker recoveries.
What is an Endoscopic Facelift?
Endoscopic facelifts have appeared in more recent years. During an endoscopic facelift, a surgeon utilizes tiny incisions for insertion of an endoscope. They will then lift, tighten and reposition mid to upper facial areas. Endoscopic facelifts are typically recommended for younger individuals looking to reposition upper facial areas. In contrast to the typical older patient seeking Tacoma facelift surgery.
