The Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System (SMAS) is the layer of tissue or membrane that connects the muscles of the face and neck to the skin. It includes muscle, fibers, collagen, and fat. As you age, your skin and SMAS lose their elasticity.
These changes lead to sagging cheeks along the jawbone, excess skin and often a "double chin". The fat on the cheeks will also sag forward, increasing the nasolabial folds or creases on the sides of the nose, reaching the mouth (also causing laugh lines).
The SMAS facelift counters the signs of aging by tightening muscles, removing fat and trimming excess skin in the lower two-thirds of the face.1 As a result, most people look 10 to 15 years younger, but the effects of aging gradually reappear about 10 to 15 years after the procedure.
SMAS facelift can correct the following:
- Sagging in the midface
- Saggy cheeks
- Nasolabial folds (around the nose and mouth)
- Loose skin and fat under the chin and jawline
- Sagging of the neck skin
- "Double chin"
The procedure is suitable for you if:
- You are over 50.
- You want to surgically correct one or more signs of aging on your face
- You still have elasticity to your skin
- You are not a smoker (this helps for proper recovery after surgery)
- You are in good general health.
