Refine deeper facial structure and restore youthful contours with an SMAS facelift at Nadia MD Facial Plastic Surgery. Dr. Nadia Mostovych, our double board-certified, fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon, performs this facelift technique to treat advanced sagging, jowling, and loss of jawline and neck definition. The goal is to support naturally refreshed results.
Correct Facial Aging at Its Structural Source
An SMAS facelift is an advanced facial rejuvenation procedure that targets the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), the deeper support layer responsible for facial structure and movement. By lifting and repositioning this deeper support layer, rather than just the skin, the procedure improves jowling, deep folds, and laxity of the jawline and neck at the source. Dr. Mostovych approaches the SMAS facelift with restraint, focusing on restoring youthful contours while preserving natural expression, individuality, and harmony.
SMAS Facelift Treats:
- Moderate to advanced jowling along the jawline
- Deep nasolabial folds and lower facial creasing
- Sagging of the mid-to-lower face caused by tissue descent
- Loss of jawline and neck definition from deeper structural laxity
- Facial heaviness that cannot be corrected with skin tightening alone
SMAS Facelift vs. Regular Facelift
An SMAS facelift and what’s often called a “regular” facelift are not separate procedures so much as variations of the same foundational approach. Both address the deeper causes of facial aging, including cheek descent, deepening folds, and laxity along the jawline and neck. The difference lies in degrees. Dr. Mostovych tailors the extent of refinement to the degree of tissue descent, creating results that are natural and appropriate for your stage of aging.
Benefits of SMAS Facelift:
- Addresses facial aging at the deeper structural level, not just the skin
- Produces longer-lasting results compared to surface-only lifting techniques
- Preserves natural facial expressions and movement
- Creates a smoother jawline and neck definition
- Allows for a customized level of correction
What to Expect From an SMAS Facelift
Consultation
Your consultation with Dr. Mostovych is thoughtful, thorough, and never rushed. She starts by listening closely to what’s bothering you and what you hope to change, then performs a detailed facial exam, assessing skin quality, soft-tissue descent, facial symmetry, and the integrity of the deeper support layers. Dr. Mostovych explains how your anatomy is aging, walks you through your options, and outlines realistic outcomes so you can make a fully informed decision.
Procedure
On the day of your SMAS facelift, you’re placed under carefully monitored anesthesia. Dr. Nadia Mostovych begins by making discreet incisions in the natural creases in front of and behind the ears and, when needed, in the hairline. Through these incisions, she carefully elevates the skin to expose the SMAS, the support layer responsible for facial structure.
The SMAS is then precisely lifted, repositioned, and secured to restore youthful contour to the cheeks, jawline, and neck. Excess skin is conservatively trimmed, re-draped without tension, and closed with fine sutures to minimize visible scarring. A light dressing is applied before you begin recovery. The procedure typically lasts three to four hours.
Recovery
After your SMAS facelift, you can expect swelling, bruising, and a feeling of tightness through the cheeks, jawline, and neck, especially during the first 1 to 2 weeks. You’ll return home the same day with detailed instructions, including incision care and activity restrictions, to support healing. Discomfort is typically mild to moderate and managed with prescribed medication.
Most patients feel comfortable returning to desk work within 10 to 14 days, once visible swelling and bruising have improved. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks. Early improvements in contour are visible within the first month. However, the final results emerge over 3 to 6 months as facial tissues fully settle into a natural appearance.
SMAS Facelift FAQs
Will an SMAS Facelift Look Obvious or Overdone?
No, and avoiding that look is a top priority. Dr. Mostovych focuses on repositioning deeper support layers rather than pulling skin tight. This allows your features to settle naturally, preserving facial expression and ensuring you still look like yourself, just more rested.
How Long Do SMAS Facelift Results Last?
Because the SMAS layer is addressed directly, the results are typically long-lasting. While the aging process continues, most patients enjoy improvements that last for many years and continue to age gracefully from a more youthful baseline.
Will There Be Visible Scars?
The incisions are carefully placed along natural creases around the ears and hairline. As healing progresses, scars typically fade well and are difficult to detect. Dr. Mostovych provides detailed scar-care guidance to support optimal healing.
Request a Consultation
Dr. Nadia Mostovych is a double board-certified, fellowship-trained facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who specializes exclusively in facial rejuvenation. At NADIA MD, she is known for her attention to detail and commitment to natural-looking results that enhance rather than change your appearance. If you’re considering a facelift, we invite you to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Mostovych in beautiful Bend, Oregon, to explore your options.
