Conventional Facelift versus Deep Muscle and "SMAS" Lift

    NEW YORK, NY, August 01, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- If you are considering a facelift, the cosmetic surgery that can treat loose and sagging facial skin associated with age, you may have already found that there are several different types of facelifts. The types can vary by length and location of incision, area of the face treated, and the depth of tissue treated.

Two of the most common types of facelifts are:

• Conventional facelifts
• Deep-muscle and "SMAS" facelifts

If you are trying to decide between the two, here are some factors to consider.

The Conventional Facelift

The conventional facelift is performed by making a shallow, relatively short incision that goes only into the superficial layer of fat beneath the skin.

The incision starts above the ear, continues down in front of the ear, around the earlobe, and then back up behind the ear. The incision then moves along the patient's hairline toward the back of the head.

The skin is then "lifted," stretched back to smooth out wrinkles and sagging, and anchored with sutures. The surplus skin is removed. Long-term scarring is minimal and usually not detectible.

With a conventional facelift, recovery is fairly quick; patients usually can return to normal activities within 24 hours after the surgery.

Deep- Muscle and "SMAS" Facelifts

Deep-muscle (also called deep-plane) facelifts and "SMAS" lifts are more invasive procedures that go deeper into the facial tissue layers, extending below the muscle.

With the SMAS facelift, your plastic surgeon will work on tightening not only your skin, but the deep tissues of the face and neck, called the superficial musculoaponeurotic system. In a deep-muscle facelift, your surgeon will work even deeper than with the SMAS procedure, tightening muscle as well as other tissue and skin.

Some surgeons believe these types of surgeries produce longer-lasting results, though other expert surgeons feel there is not strong evidence to support that claim.

There are, however, some distinct disadvantages to these types of facelifts, including:

• They can potentially produce uneven results, often resulting in a pulled look from the corners of the lips to the ears
• There is a higher risk of nerve damage and resulting facial weakness
• They require a longer operating time, increased recovery time and a longer healing process
• The scar is often longer than with a conventional facelift

At your initial consultation, your plastic surgeon will review your medical history and aesthetic goals to determine which type of facelift surgery will best suit your needs.

If you are interested in a facelift in the New York City area, please contact the New York plastic surgery office Dr. Bellin today to schedule a consultation.

Website: http://www.cosmedica.com

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