What​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Is the Most Effective Facelift Procedure?

facelift consultation marking

The SMAS facelift is considered the most effective for long-lasting results.

Every person ages differently, but we all want to stay young and fresh. If non-surgical treatments no longer give you the lift you want, you may consider a permanent solution. The answer to the question of what is the most effective facelift procedure depends on the individual. However, the medical community generally agrees that Deep Plane Facelift is the gold standard for full rejuvenation. At Lin Europe Clinic, we are experts in tailoring the perfect surgical solution (Deep Plane, SMAS, or Mini Facelift) according to your anatomy and signs of aging.

A facelift or rhytidectomy does not simply involve skin tightening of the face. More importantly, the muscles and fat layers that are the major contributors to the aging look, are repositioned and tightened. Nowadays, restoration of volume and face contour is the main goal rather than stretching the skin to avoid an unnatural “windblown” look. Being aware of these advanced techniques’ working principle will enable you to go for a surgery that simply reflects your own refreshed self, instead of a completely different person.

The Gold Standard: The Deep Plane Facelift

Deep Plane Facelift is regarded by surgeons as the most effective method when it comes to addressing severe facial aging. Conventional facelifts separate the skin from the muscles. On the other hand, a deep plane facelift removes the skin along with the muscle layer SMAS as if they were a single composite unit. Further, the surgeon partially releases the retention ligaments of the cheek and jawline; thus, the mid-face is tension-free and the tissues can be repositioned easily without any reluctance. Such a deep tissue release can barely leave any nasolabial folds and the rejuvenated face heart shape comes back and it is very natural-looking again.

Deep Plane Facelift offers many advantages, but chief among them is a longer duration of natural results. Since the skin comes with the muscle still attached, the blood vessels and capillaries are still full which means healing can be better and faster. Hence, the risk of a “pulled” look is negated because the deep layers take the load, not the thin skin. In a way, the face sagging, loose jowls, and neck laxity can be all-together dealt with in only a single Deep Plane Facelift. Surgical skills are of the highest standards for this technique to be carried out properly, but the results are usually way beyond 10-15 years and thus, to be compared with less advanced procedures.

The Traditional Approach: SMAS Plication and Resection

smas facelift anatomy diagram
smas facelift anatomy diagram

SMAS Facelift has been the mainstay of facial rejuvenation over the past several decades and is still a reliable method for a lot of patients. Initially, the skin is lifted by the surgeon, then the underlying SMAS is either folded (plication) or a strip is removed (resection) to contract the layer under the skin and thus, firm the lower face and jawline effectively. If you are not heavily aged and the extensive mid-face lifting by Deep Plane technique is too much for you, the SMAS facelift could be just the right solution for you.

A SMAS facelift procedure releases and tightens the skin, muscles, and fascia around your jawline, thereby making a new sharper jawline and eliminating the appearance of jowls. But, since releasing the retaining ligaments completely is not a part of this procedure, the SMAS facelift can do only a limited amount of mid-face cheek pad lifting compared to a Deep Plane facelift. The recovery for this procedure is generally smooth and the results are fairly consistent.Lin Europe Clinic is a place where we tend to suggest the SMAS approach to our patients if their lower third of the face is in need of significant work while the volume of their cheeks is still intact.

Mini Facelift: Effective for Early Intervention

Depending on how severely you have aged, the “most effective” procedure can be totally different. For younger patients, a Mini Facelift is often the better option. This less invasive surgery zeroes in on the lower jaw and upper neck and leaves shorter scars behind by using only very small incisions around the ears. When you are in your 40s or 50s and in the early stage of the appearance of jowls but still have good skin quality, this method can give you just enough freshness without having to go through a full surgery and the related downtime.

A Mini Facelift does not change your looks drastically but subtly enhances your features only; knowing that you should have such expectations is important. Tightening takes place in both the skin and muscle, but only to a limited extent. Unfortunately, the mini-facelift does not work well on deep nasolabial folds or a heavy neck. On the other hand, the right patient can benefit significantly from this procedure as it will keep them from having to undergo big surgeries later on. Here at our clinic, we consider this procedure as a maintenance strategy with the ultimate goal of keeping the patient at his/her best during work and social life of prime years.

Longevity: Which Procedure Lasts the Longest?

facelift before after comparison
facelift before after comparison

Deep Plane Facelift easily beats the rest when “efficiency” is defined by the duration of the outcome. Its procedure involves ligament releasing and thus, the facelift is not a mere temporary moment since gravity takes much more time to undo the results of the operation. Your years will be twenty-something again for over ten years! With the tissues being restored to a position closer to the one they had at a younger age and firmly anchored, a natural aging process along with you is guaranteed as well.

Similar to Deep Plane, SMAS facelifts yield longevity results, typically up to 7-10 years. Various factors like skin quality, lifestyle, and sun exposure come into play, determining the exact duration. Non-surgical modalities such as thread lifts or liquid facelifts are good but short-term solutions, they only last for one or two years. If your ideal scenario is a “one and done” intervention that will give your aging clock a hefty reset, then only a surgery can be the effective way.

The Role of the Neck in Facial Effectiveness

Facelift never was or is really “effective” when the neck is neglected. In fact, a face and neck usually age together and changing just one at a time can give a very uneven or dis-harmonious appearance. Most effective facelift plans even include a neck lift component (platysmaplasty) that is performed almost always. Tightening of platysma muscle bands in the neck and skin and fat removal usually is the procedure to be done.

Youthful profiles have sharp jawlines and silky smooth necks as their main features. The neck lift is integrated so flawlessly by your surgeon at Lin Europe Clinic during the Deep Plane or SMAS facelift, that the transition from the cheekbone to the collarbone is in one uninterrupted flowing line. Sometimes, a little neck can make a big difference in whether or not a facelift looks finished, and that is why we put so much emphasis on comprehensive assessment during your consultation.

Recovery and Downtime Comparison

facelift recovery downtime
facelift recovery downtime

Along with your willingness to be effective, you must consider your lifestyle and possible recovery time. A patient undergoing Deep Plane Facelift, despite the internally more advanced nature of the procedure, may find his/her recovery period comparable with or even less than that of traditional methods, inasmuch as there is less trauma to the skin itself (less bruising and swelling of the skin flap). Most patients feel ready to be seen in public within two to three weeks.

You can very smoothly go back to your usual routine after just 10 days if you have a Mini Facelift, which is the fastest recovery option among all. At the same time, SMAS lift normally needs a patient to keep up with a social downtime for almost two weeks. We not only explain to you in detail what the recovery process includes, such as the protocol for post-lymphatic drainage and skincare, but also provide tools and products where necessary, so that the speed of your healing will be accelerated. The “most effective” procedure means also the one you can allow yourself to heal fully.

Facelift in Turkey

Turkey is rightly called the world capital of advanced facial plastic surgery. The city of Istanbul is a magnet for patients not only because it offers lower prices but also because Turkish surgeons possess great technical skills as they are performing these advanced procedures on a daily basis. Lin Europe Clinic is different on this very crowded market of beauty enhancement. We are not just surgeons performing operations only; we provide you with changing your life experience in the full sense of the term.

At Lin Europe Clinic, we pledge to bring you consistent high-quality PPE through our “all under one roof” approach. From your first visit to your last, you will be our guest at a clinic of hospitality combined with advanced medical technology. We provide hospitality with the essence of Istanbul combined with the highest precision Deep Plane surgical techniques. Thus, when you decide to work with us, you are basically deciding to restore your self-esteem in an environment that puts your inherent beauty and long-term satisfaction ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌first.

Frequently Asked Questions About Facelift Procedures

Which face lift procedure is the best?

According to the surgeons, the Deep Plane Facelift is the best facelift procedure that provides comprehensive rejuvenation. This method involves repositioning the deep muscle layers to achieve a natural, long-lasting effect without overstretching the skin.

Which type of facelift lasts the longest?

The Deep Plane Facelift is the one that lasts the longest. The results can be seen for 10 to 15 years regularly. The main reason for this longevity is structural lifting of the facial muscles instead of just the skin that has been tightened.

What procedure takes 10 years off your face?

Deep Plane is a full surgical facelift that restores the volume and redefines the jawline which visually takes 10 years off your face. The structural level of age reversal that is achieved with this procedure cannot be duplicated by non-surgical treatments.

Which country is the best for facelift surgery?

Turkey is recognized as the best country for facelift surgery because of its world-class surgeons and high medical standards. Lin Europe Clinic in Istanbul offers a combination of expertise and luxury care resulting in superior outcomes at reasonable prices.

When is it too late for a face lift?

It is basically never too late for a face lift as long as you are physically healthy. A lot of patients who are in their 70s have the surgery to deal with the problems caused by advanced aging and skin laxity.

Hamra, S. T. (1990). The deep-plane rhytidectomy. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 86(1), 53–61.

Jacono, A. A., & Malone, M. H. (2019). Extended deep plane facelift: Incorporating facial ligament release and composite flap shifts. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America, 27(3), 311–326.

Mendelson, B. C. (2001). Surgery of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system: Principles of release, vectors, and fixation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 107(6), 1545–1552.

Rohrich, R. J., & Narasimhan, K. (2016). The role of the deep plane facelift in modern facial rejuvenation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 138(6), 1205–1207.

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Lin Europe Clinic Medical Team

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