What is the SMAS Facelift Technique?

May 30, 2013 @ 07:20 PM — by Patricia Berbari

There are several surgical procedures that can be performed in order to address signs of aging on the face. Cosmetic facial procedures can reduce signs of aging and tighten the skin on targeted areas such as the eyes, forehead, chin, and neck. However, when wrinkles, loose skin, and deep tissue folds are present on the lower two-thirds of the face and neck, a facelift is the best way to tighten the skin and give the patient a more youthful appearance. At Dr. Patricia Berbari’s Gatineau plastic surgery practice, she uses the SMAS facelift technique to give her patients long-lasting and natural surgical results.

What Is the SMAS Technique?

SMAS is an abbreviation for the sub-muscular aponeurotic system. This is a layer that covers the deep tissues of the face and neck and also attaches to the superficial muscles of the face and neck. The SMAS facelift technique involves making adjustments to this sub-muscular layer rather than only making superficial alterations to the dermal layer of the face. In most cases, the SMAS is folded back onto itself in order to elevate the facial features. While a traditional facelift may give patients a tight or “pinched” appearance, patients who undergo the SMAS facelift technique benefit from more natural looking results that are also longer lasting than the results of a traditional facelift. For patients in Gatineau, facelift surgery performed using the SMAS technique allows Dr. Berbari to:

Take years off the physical appearance of the face
Effectively correct jowls and hollow cheeks as well as nasolabial folds (commonly referred to as “marionette lines”)
Add definition to the cheekbones and jaw line
Achieve better results by making alterations to the deeper layers of the skin structure
Produce a more natural looking youthful appearance that should last for ten years or more
Avoid the tight, unnatural appearance that may result from traditional facelift techniques

The SMAS facelift technique is more complicated than a traditional facelift and should only be performed by surgeons with a superior skill level, such as Dr. Berbari.

Candidates for SMAS Facelift

At Dr. Berbari’s practice, facelift surgery is typically performed on patients between the ages of 45 and 70. However, any patient who is unhappy with the signs of loose, sagging skin around the cheeks, chin, and neck is a good candidate for treatment. Any patient with these cosmetic concerns will also need to be in good physical condition and have realistic expectations for the results of surgery in order to be considered good candidates for facelift surgery using the SMAS technique.

Schedule an Appointment

Patients who come to Dr. Patricia Berbari for cosmetic surgery can be sure they are in the best hands. Because of her advanced experience and skill, Dr. Berbari is able to utilize techniques such as the SMAS facelift in order to give her Gatineau patients beautiful, natural, and long-lasting surgical results. Patients who would like to learn if they are good candidates for the SMAS facelift should schedule an appointment with Dr. Berbari at their earliest convenience.