SMAS facelift and deep plane facelifts both lift sagging skin, but the real difference comes down to how a surgeon handles the ligaments anchoring facial tissue in place. A SMAS facelift tightens and sutures the SMAS layer just beneath the skin, and clinical literature notes that this technique typically leaves the deeper retaining ligaments untouched, so the lift stays closer to the surface. A deep plane facelift releases those ligaments instead, moving skin, muscle and fat as one connected unit. That release is what allows the incisions to close without tension, which is why they tend to heal so discreetly.
Dr. Stephen Weber, a double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon in Denver focused exclusively on facial and neck procedures, performs deep plane facelifts using this ligament-release technique. Read on to see how it works and what it means for your results and your scars.
The Difference Between SMAS and Deep Plane Techniques
A SMAS facelift lifts by folding and suturing the SMAS, the fibrous layer just beneath the skin. It works well for mild to moderate sagging, but because the ligaments anchoring the cheeks and jawline generally stay in place, the result depends more on skin tension, which can look pulled if taken too far. A deep plane facelift works one layer deeper, releasing those ligaments so muscle, fat and skin move together instead of being stretched into position.
The way Dr. Weber performs a deep plane facelift offers several advantages over more superficial techniques:
- Repositions the midface, jawline and neck as one connected unit instead of treating each area separately
- Releases the ligaments anchoring the cheeks, jaw and neck, below the surface layer they sit on
- Avoids relying on tight skin to create lift
- May reduce the likelihood of certain healing complications compared to more superficial techniques
- Can take as many as 10 to 15 years off the appearance of the face
- Improvements are sustained for 10 to 15 years
Why Releasing the Ligaments Changes the Outcome
Ligaments anchor skin and soft tissue to the bone and muscle beneath them. As these attachments loosen with age, tissue begins to descend, which is what creates jowls, deep nasolabial folds and a heavier jawline. Tightening the skin above those ligaments can smooth things temporarily, but the ligaments themselves haven't moved, so the underlying cause of the sagging is still there.
By releasing the ligamentous attachments across the face and neck, Dr. Weber repositions the deeper tissue itself, below the skin covering it. The muscle and fat shift into a more youthful position, and the result tends to be fuller and more natural than surface tightening alone can achieve.
Tension-Free Closure and Inconspicuous Incisions
Because the deeper tissue carries the structural work in a deep plane facelift, the skin can be repaired without pulling against it. That matters for scarring: incisions placed around the ear and within the hairline tend to heal more discreetly when the skin at the edges isn't under strain. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons notes that swelling, numbness and tightness are common after any facelift and generally ease over the following weeks.
Dr. Weber's Deep Plane Expertise in Denver
The choice between a SMAS and deep plane facelift comes down to whether a surgeon works on the skin's surface or the structures underneath it. Dr. Weber's approach releases the ligaments that hold facial aging in place. The result is a lift that looks complete, not tight, with incisions that fade instead of standing out. Contact Weber Facial Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation and find the approach that fits your face.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Outcomes, risks and suitability vary from patient to patient.
