Depending on aging and similar effects, sagging and wrinkles may occur in different parts of face. These can make people look older than they actually are. SMAS facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is a procedure for the aforementioned problems. What is SMAS facelift, how is it performed? How is it different from standard facelift procedure? All details are in our article.
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What is SMAS Facelift?
SMAS facelift is a procedure that repositions fat tissue on cheeks, lifts facial skin and tightens the muscles between neck and face. This procedure is quite extensive. It also includes removing excess skin from face when it is needed.
The aforementioned procedure, which is applied intensively today, is considered as a standard face lift procedure. Unlike traditional methods, it lifts and tightens fascia layer of face. Accordingly, the results are more permanent. In addition, it would not be wrong to say that final result is more natural.
Superficial muscle aponeurotic system, also known as the SMAS layer, connects facial muscles, fat and skin. Experts state that SMAS layer descends significantly depending on age and the ligaments connecting skin to deep structures on face are loosened. As a result of the mentioned situation, lines, double chins and neck laxity (turkey neck) occur in face area. All these problems can be eliminated with SMAS facelift and effects of aging can be eliminated.
Why Is It More Beneficial To Have Facelift At The Age of 40?
How is SMAS Facelift Applied?
SMAS facelift is a surgery performed under general anesthesia. However, local anesthesia and sedation may also be preferred in different situations. During the operation, patients do not feel pain. Total duration of the operation is 2-4 hours, depending on the procedures to be performed.
After general anesthesia, incisions are made in certain parts of face. Surgeon who performs the operation decides location and size of incisions. However, incisions are usually made on hairline so that scars are not visible after healing.
After incisions are made, muscles, fat pads and fibromuscular structure in lower part of face are lifted, tightened and repositioned. Effects of aging are largely eliminated by the procedures performed here.
After these subcutaneous procedures are completed, facial features are redefined. In the meantime, excess skin is removed. Finally, incisions are closed and the procedure is completed. However, a drain can be used to remove accumulated fluids in operation area. Thus, accumulation of fluids naturally produced by body in that area is prevented. The mentioned condition is especially effective in accelerating healing process and reducing the risk of infection. After the operation, a bandage is applied over the incisions and patient is taken to normal service.
Read Also: Does Facelift Procedure Help Get Rid of Acne Scars?
What Are Pros and Cons of SMAS Facelift?
SMAS facelift is one of the most important facelift procedures applied today. This procedure has several important advantages. However, it should be noted that there are some disadvantages as well.
Pros
SMAS facelift pros can be listed as follows:
- It is one of the most effective methods of rejuvenating face and eliminating aging effects. Experts state that traditional facelift procedures only focus on upper part of face. On the other hand, it is stated by the same experts that the procedure here covers all layers of face.
- Incisions are made at the points where face and hair merge. Accordingly, even if a scar remains after healing, it is not noticeable from the outside.
- It removes sagging skin and provides a more pronounced jaw line.
- It completely eliminates aging signs that cannot be corrected by non-surgical methods.
- The results last for an average of 10 years or more.
- Although the procedure is performed under general anesthesia, those who want to reduce costs may prefer local anesthesia and sedation.
Cons
Cons that SMAS facelift procedure contributes to people’s lives are listed above. However, it should be noted that this procedure has some disadvantages. These disadvantages are:
- It is more comprehensive than traditional face lift surgeries. Therefore, recovery time may be longer.
- The procedure covers the area from cheeks to neck, that is, two-thirds of face. You may therefore need an additional procedure to improve your eyebrow and eye area.
- The procedure does not remove superficial skin problems such as melasma and age spots. You can learn the procedures to be applied to remove them from your surgeon.
Read Also: Follow These Steps for a More Natural Skin After Facelift
SMAS Facelift Recovery Process
Recovery time after SMAS facelift is approximately 7-14 days. You will be informed in detail by your doctor about how this process will be. It is normal to have some pain in the first few days. You can use painkillers prescribed by your doctor for your pain. You will also be given an appointment for stitches and drains to be removed.
In the first few days after the surgery, significant swelling and bruising will occur on your face. This situation is extremely normal. At the end of the first 2 weeks, swelling and bruising will go away on their own. At this point, no additional treatment is needed. You should avoid raising your heart rate so that swelling and bruising can recover faster. For this, you should avoid strenuous activities such as bending, heavy lifting and exercise for a while.
You may feel that your facial area is tense. Apart from this, there may also be local numbness. These will go away on their own within 2 months.
At the end of the first 2 weeks, swelling and bruising on your face will go away significantly. After this stage, you can see the first results. But do not forget that you have to wait a little longer for definitive results.
SMAS Facelift Cost
The cost of SMAS facelift may differ depending on the scope of the procedure and experience of the surgeon performing it. Costs differ from $2,500 to $20,000. However, it can be said that the average cost is $10,000. You can have facelift procedure done in Turkey at competitive prices up to 70%.
* Facelift is not covered by health insurance as it is a cosmetic procedure. Therefore, payment must be made by you.
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When Can I See SMAS Facelift Results?
You may notice changes in your face after surgery. However, swelling and bruising will prevent you from seeing the final result. It can be said that you will see the first results when swelling and bruising begin to disappear, especially after the first 2 weeks. However, it may take several months for swelling to go away completely. After 2-3 months, your face will regain its old functions significantly. However, the results you see in this period are not permanent results. The most perfect results occur within 6-12 months.
Are SMAS Facelift Results Permanent?
SMAS facelift effects can last for approximately 10 years or more. Therefore, the operation is generally considered permanent. After the surgery, natural aging process on your face will continue. It is not possible to completely stop this. However, although aging process continues, you are at least 15 years younger with the operation performed. Therefore, you will always look younger than your age and be one step ahead of your coevals.
SMAS Facelift Risks and Possible Side Effects
SMAS facelift is a fairly comprehensive procedure. It covers almost all layers of face. Accordingly, the mentioned process has some risks and possible side effects. These can be generally listed as follows:
- Swelling and bruising
- Scar
- Nerve damage
- Asymmetric results
- Infection
Apart from these, it should not be forgotten that the risks and side effects of surgical procedures are also valid here. However, when you prefer surgeons who are experts in their fields, you will significantly reduce the risks involved. Therefore, you should make a detailed research before choosing a surgeon and clinic for this procedure.
Differences Between SMAS Facelift and Standard Facelift
Although SMAS facelift and standard facelift are similar in terms of results, they have some differences. While standard face lift focuses only on facial skin layer, SMAS face lift focuses on other layers as well.
When we look at facial anatomy, a complex structure, which ligament, muscle and SMAS layer are found, is seen. In standard face lift, the procedure is applied directly to skin and whole load is on skin. As a result, although wrinkles and similar effects on skin disappear, the result is not long-lasting. However, it can be said that it is a more cost-effective process.
SMAS face lift is much more comprehensive. In the process, SMAS layer is also removed and can be repositioned as needed. Then, skin is treated. Under favor of the aforementioned situation, entire load is placed on SMAS layer and face is relaxed. Thus, both more effective and more permanent results can be obtained.
RESULT
Although SMAS facelift gives better results, bottom layer of face tests surgeons too hard. It is very important for a surgeon to be experienced and an expert in this field for the procedure to be performed successfully. Specialist surgeons of Cosmeticium clinic have extensive experience and knowledge in facelift.
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