Name: SMAS Facelift
Brand: Moradi MD
Rating: 5 (248 reviews)

“SMAS” stands for “superficial muscular aponeurotic system,” a thin layer of muscle and fibrous bands covering facial muscles and fat pads. This muscle layer can be lifted and restored to its youthful position to create a fresh and natural level of facial rejuvenation. A SMAS facelift corrects both the face and upper neck.

Woman lying down with her head against her arm

What is a SMAS facelift?

If you want to restore the lower face and upper neck, a SMAS facelift may be the ideal facelift surgery. This procedure requires consummate skill, refined surgical techniques, and a breadth of knowledge of facial anatomy. Dr. Moradi is a double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon with a reputation for achieving exceptional surgical results. This procedure addresses the following aesthetic problems:

Jowls
Sagging facial skin
Lost definition at jawline
Double chin
Sagging beneath the chin
Nasolabial folds (smile lines)
Neck bands, skin folds
Marionette lines

The Facelift Procedure with Dr. Moradi

Facelift Patient Testimonial

Why choose Moradi MD for a SMAS facelift?

If you are considering a facelift, you want to be under the care of a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who delivers the full range of the most advanced procedures. At Moradi MD, we offer:

Complimentary consultations
Personalized treatment plans
Virtual and in-office follow-ups

Beyond delivering the highest quality, patient-centric care, our focus is on the restoration of youth based on cutting-edge science, research, innovation, and technical skill.

Our reputation is synonymous with the word integrity. Moradi MD is a state-of-the-art aesthetic center delivering both surgical and non-surgical procedures, including custom SMAS facelift surgeries.

Dr. Amir Moradi and his team of skilled medical professionals strive to ensure that your cosmetic procedure delivers the results that you envision, bringing you an enhanced look that you love to show off. We are on a mission to create a positive impact in our patients’ lives, and we are dedicated to enhancing your beauty through the science and art of facial rejuvenation.

How is a SMAS facelift performed?

A SMAS facelift is performed under either intravenous sedation and local anesthesia or general anesthesia. It requires about three to four hours to complete and is a refined approach to facial rejuvenation. In the surgery, the SMAS membrane layer is lifted vertically, restoring it to its youthful position and shape, oval and smooth, rather than appearing square due to jowls and sagging tissues along the jawline.

Excess skin will be removed from the face and upper neck, and the muscle layer subtly lifted to create a very natural level of facial rejuvenation. As the muscle layer is lifted, the facial structure is restored from the cheeks to the upper neck. The incisions are placed along the temple and hidden in the hairline, curving behind the ears.

Once healed, these scars are virtually invisible. An incision is placed beneath the chin to address a double chin and upper neck. You will not experience any discomfort or pain during the surgery and will become aware when the surgery is complete.

Are you a good candidate for a SMAS facelift at Moradi MD?

If you are one of the many people who dream of restoring a more youthful facial look but are fearful that your results won’t look natural, this may be the ideal procedure for you. If you are tired of seeing sagging skin, etched-in facial creases from the nose to mouth, a sagging jawline, and creases or bands on the neck, this procedure can resolve all these issues in a single surgery. You should be in good general health, a non-smoker, and understand what is involved with the surgery and its recovery. Thankfully, the results of this approach look very natural, refined, and elegant, and when under the care of Dr. Moradi, not pulled or overdone.

a dock with the sunset in the background

After a SMAS facelift Your recovery timeline

On the day of your surgery, you will return home (under the care of another adult) and will likely spend the rest of the day sleeping. Your body has been through a stressful event, and sleep allows healing. You will have prescription pain medication to keep you comfortable during this stage of recovery. Mild swelling and bruising are normal. At about the three-day mark, you will start to feel like yourself, ready to move around. Days three and four bring maximum swelling, after which it quickly fades away, with residual swelling for several more weeks. After the fourth day, you should not need prescription pain medication and can use over-the-counter painkillers if needed.

By the second week, your refreshed facial look starts to emerge. You may experience some facial numbness and still have some swelling and bruising. By the third and fourth week you will start to enjoy your look. You will feel confident venturing out and showing off your refreshed facial appearance, with any residual bruising or swelling barely noticeable to others. By day 30, you should be back to your usual routines, including workouts or sports. The incisions have healed (but are still pinkish in hue), and your facial tissues have settled into their youthful location.

SMAS Facelift in Carlsbad and Oceanside