The SMAS face-lift

The skin and the SMAS (a layer of tissue and muscle under the skin called the superficial musculo-aponeurotic system) are pulled upwards and muscles in the lower face and neck are tightened. Skin is then redraped over more youthful underlying contours. Fatty pouches may be removed and implants sometimes added to slightly alter the shape of the face.

The extended SMAS lift

Burrowing further in towards the nose to lift the SMAS right away from the cheek ligaments and then pulling it up improves the look of the middle of the face, perking up sagging cheeks, flattening nose-to-mouth grooves and reducing jowls, as well as tightening the neck. There may be less swelling and recovery can be surprisingly quick.