Facelift

What is a SMAS Lift?

A SMAS lift, which stands for Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System (SMAS), is an advanced technique that repositions the superficial musculature and skin.

As we age, the SMAS layer begins to loosen, causing the muscles, fat, and skin to droop together. To achieve natural and long-lasting results, the SMAS layer, which is the primary cause of skin sagging, must be tightened. A skin-only facelift will provide short-term and minimally satisfying results.

The SMAS layer is the fascia that supports the facial expression muscles and is located about 4.5 mm below the epidermis. It consists of a thin fibrous membrane that connects the skin and muscle like a net, directly influencing skin elasticity and wrinkles.

Braun's SMAS lift is a double dissection facial lift that not only removes sagging skin but also lifts the SMAS layer after releasing the retaining ligament, allowing it to move freely. The excellent results of this procedure can be sustained for an extended period of time.

This procedure is also effective in preventing and improving skin sagging caused by aging, as well as sagging resulting from facial contour surgery or orthognathic surgery.

What is the difference between a mini SMAS lift and a full SMAS lift?

The incisions in the preauricular area are identical, but the retroauricular incisions length are only different. Mini SMAS facelift incision ends in the crease behind the earlobe (retroauricular sulcus), while full SMAS facelift incision extends upwards behind the ear and ends in the posterior hairline.

In both surgeries, the preauricular incision is used for SMAS modification and releasing retaining ligaments. The retroauricular incision for mini SMAS facelift used to remove the sagging skin on the mid-face to until where your jaw bones are protruding, if you want to tighten the area below the jawline to be tightened as well, you can consider a full SMAS facelift.

However, for the patients with good neck contours, the mini SMAS facelift offers the benefit of full facial rejuvenation without the extension of the scar behind the ear to hairline.

Surgical Procedure

Incision site

The incision starts from the sideburn hair, follows the inner corner of the ear cartilage, goes behind the earlobe
(Incision will extend to the posterior hairline of the neck in case of a full SMAS facelift)

Surgery method

1. Ineffective conventional surgical method
Skin-only lifting that does not properly dissect the SMAS layer and Lifting without properly cutting the retaining ligament

2. Braun’s SMAS lift surgical method   |   Minimal incision SMAS

Using SMAS for Strong Fixation and Sunken Cheek Correction

By releasing retaining ligaments, SMAS is freely moved and strongly fixed without tension. Therefore, Braun's SMAS lift creates a strong fixation effect that lasts longer. In addition, if the cheek appears hollow, the remaining SMAS is rolled and fixed onto the sunken area to add volume and lift the SMAS at the same time.