Dr. Diana Ponsky is a renowned Cleveland facial plastic surgeon who is skilled in performing all types of facelifts and other treatments to correct and prevent visible signs of aging in the face and neck. By correcting sagging skin, smoothing wrinkles, and flattening deep creases, she can restore a more youthful appearance and turn back the clock on aging.
No two facelifts are the same. Everyone has unique facial features, such as different skin thicknesses, different soft tissue (fatty support) and bone structure. Facelifts also differ based on timing. Some people want to have the procedure as soon as they notice any laxity of skin. Others wait until there are no options other than surgery (they’ve tried all non surgical options).
Recently, I posted a blog about what exactly a facelift is and what the benefits are. You can read that here. If you’re considering undergoing a facelift, there are a few types of facelifts that you should know about. Keep in mind that each facelift type targets a different portion of your facial structure. It can be confusing to sort through all the different types of facelifts, so I hope that this blog can help shed some light on what is needed.
The Types of Facelifts
1. Deep Plane/SMAS Facelift
A deep plane facelift is intended to eliminate sagging skin at the base of the chin and neck. This is done by lifting up and strengthening the lax muscles in that portion of the face. It is also called a “vertical vector facelift”, or an “Auralyft”.
Deep plane facelift procedures involve the surgeon delving beneath the musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS). Located under the skin close to the muscles used for smiling and frowning, your surgeon will reposition, reshape, and smooth out the SMAS layer to iron out wrinkles and make you look younger and more radiant.
2. Mini Facelift (aka Short-scar Facelift)
This is a surgical facelift technique that uses small, inconspicuous incisions under the hairline so that your surgeon can tighten and smooth out your skin while also removing excess tissue. A mini facelift is usually effective in reducing the appearance of minor jowls or eliminating it altogether. Jowls usually form around the lower half of your cheeks and mouth as you get older. It does not address the folds in the neck.
3. Mid-Facelift
As the name implies, the mid-facelift targets the midsection of the face, particularly the cheeks. Excess tissue is removed around the cheek area or existing tissue is stitched up to help lift up the cheeks, and eliminate sagging. Unlike cheek fillers or cheek implants, though, volume isn’t added to the cheeks to plump them up.
The mid-facelift is highly recommended for patients who don’t have jowls or marionette lines. By itself, the mid-facelift helps most with decreasing the depth of the nasolabial folds so they look less pronounced. However, it can also be performed in conjunction with procedures that remove jowls and marionette lines.
4. Jawline Rejuvenation
A jawline rejuvenation involves extracting excess fat cells from the neck area through liposuction. Most people—especially women—exhibit signs of aging around their jaw and neckline. In this procedure, your facial plastic surgeon contours and reshapes your jawline to make it smoother.
5. Skin-only Facelift
The skin-only facelift uses hidden incisions in front of the ear, along with an s-shaped incision behind the jawline and around the neck. This allows the surgeon to separate the top layer of skin from the facial muscles and tissues underneath.
The purpose of this skin-only procedure is to lift up the skin, remove excess fat cells, and contour the muscles and underlying tissue, resulting in smooth, wrinkle-free skin. This procedure is rarely used these days as it only pulls the skin and does not have the longevity of the SMAS or deep-plane facelift.
6. Temporal or Brow Lift (Upper Facelift)
Since your temples and brows are within such close proximity to one another, smoothing out wrinkles in one area also inadvertently benefits the other area of the face as well. If your eyebrows are droopy or hang too low, then this could be the right procedure for you.
An excellent alternative to the much more invasive eyebrow lift, which requires a longer recovery time, the temporal brow lift uses a small incision along your hairline and then the skin and underlying muscles are lifted up to stretch out the drooping skin on your eyelids.
7. Liquid Facelift
Liquid facelifts are by far the most popular type of facial rejuvenation procedures currently being practiced today. Known for its non-invasive nature (no surgery), a liquid facelift involves the use of injectable neuromodulators (Botox, Dysport, Jeaveau, Xeomin) and fillers (Juvederm, Restylane, Radiesse). These are injected into your face to volumize the problem areas of the face, and temporarily smooth out wrinkles. These fillers have the ability to stimulate collagen production and promote skin elasticity.
Are you thinking about getting a facelift, but aren’t sure which option is right for you? Click here to learn more about the types of facelifts with Dr. Diana Ponsky, including what to expect before, during, and after your procedure. Book your consultation to see exactly how Dr. Ponsky can help you!
Dr. Diana Ponsky is a Facial Plastic Surgeon in Cleveland, Ohio. She is Double Board Certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Ponsky focuses exclusively on the face, head, and neck. Schedule a consultation here.
