Different Types of Face-Lifts

A board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. David Santos treats patients at Facial Beauty in Bellevue, Washington. With more than two decades of experience as a plastic surgeon, Dr. David Santos is familiar with a wide range of aesthetic facial procedures, having completed more than 4,000 face-lifts throughout his career.

There are a wide range of face-lift surgeries available, making it possible to accommodate each individual’s goals and preferences. The procedures vary in several ways, most notably by degree of invasiveness and incision type, and come with different risks. The following lists just a few of the available face-lift surgeries:

Traditional face-lift
Also called an SMAS face-lift, this type focuses on the neck and lower facial areas. The surgeon typically makes incisions along the hairline, tightening the muscles and lifting the skin to eliminate sagging. Traditional face-lifts are one of the least expensive options and are recommended for people with mild looseness and sagging around the middle of the face.

Deep-plane face-lift
The deep-plane face-lift involves lifting the skin at a deeper level than that of traditional face-lifts. Results last for roughly 10 years and are most dramatic among individuals with severe sagging. However, since they are much more invasive than traditional face-lifts, deep-plane lifts are much more expensive.

Short scar face-lift
This term covers a few subtypes, including the MACS and S-shaped lifts, but in general, short scar face-lifts are characterized by a smaller scar than those seen in traditional lifts. More popular among individuals who have minimal to moderate loose facial skin and few signs of aging on their neck, short scar lifts are another fairly inexpensive option.

Fat Grafting in Facelift Surgeries

David Santos, MD, graduated from the Tulane University School of Medicine and began his career as a plastic surgeon after completing a fellowship at an Indianapolis facial surgery practice. Currently practicing at Facial Beauty in Bellevue, Washington, he has performed more than 4,000 facelifts as a plastic surgeon.

According to a recent study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 85 percent of surveyed plastic surgeons use fat grafting in facelift procedures. The methodology involves removing small fat deposits from the midsection or thighs, then injecting them into particular regions of the face to add volume. Many surgeons choose to graft into the cheek region, as the injected fat cells add a youthful fullness and roundness. Fat injected into the area above the cheek and below the eyes has a similar effect, as does grafting into the nasolabial folds.

Of the 309 surveyed members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), more than 70 percent reported having adopted fat grafting within the past 10 years, while more than 45 percent use the technique in over half of their total number of facelifts. These statistics suggest that the technique has rapidly increased in popularity within the surgical profession, and positive patient response suggests that it will remain in use for some time.