Procedure of Facelift

SMAS Ectomy, SMAS Plication, MACS Lift

Superficial muscular aponeurotic system or SMAS is the area of musculature that lies right under the facial skin. This is what loosens and requires tightening.

A SMAS ectomy is preferred for patients who have bulky faces. During a SMAS ectomy, a portion of the SMAS is removed between 2 lines. These lines are then joined, automatically causing a lift due to the tightness. This also ensures that the face looks thinner and more proportionate. 

SMAS plication is a common procedure where the surgeon sutures the SMAS from one edge to the other. Your surgeon makes lines at the edges of the SMAS and then connect these lines. This automatically creates a lifting effect. This procedure requires no removal of muscle. Therefore, the volume of the face remains intact, continuing to work with the natural contours.

The final approach is the MACS lift or the Minimal Access Cranial Suspension technique. Here, a loop is created with a suture which goes through the SMAS. It lifts the SMAS and pulls it, therefore elevating the SMAS with the suture.  

Depending on your needs, Dr Rajat Gupta chooses the procedure that will have the best results.

Classical Facelift

A classical facelift or full facelift involves making a big incision along with the ears and the top of the head. It consists of a combination of the mini facelift and the eyebrow lift. It is also often combined with a neck lift for a face and neck lift. A neck lift involves platysma plication, i.e. removing excess skin from what is considered a “turkey neck.”

Here, the long scar is hidden along with the ears and the hairline, ensuring that the results look very natural.

Endoscopic Facelift

This uses multiple tiny incisions made along the hairline or on the scalp. Dr Gupta uses an endoscope or a camera to examine the SMAS. This way, the lift is more precise and has better results. 

RG Aesthetics is the only centre currently offering endoscopic facelifts.

Mini Facelift

A mini facelift is when the lower third of the face is tightened. Incisions are made along the contours of the external ear. Then the SMAS is pulled up and tightened. The incision may also go to the back of the head if the patient wants a neck lift. 

In all these procedures, the SMAS is tightened, and the skin drapes over the tightened muscle structure. Excess skin is then removed, and the remaining skin looks very natural, making the final result much more youthful. They are daycare procedures meaning the patient goes home on the same day.

Liquid Facelift

Liquid facelifts use injections to add volume to the face. The skin automatically tightens over the new volume. They also use muscle tightening injections like Botox, which removes wrinkles and prevents new ones from forming.

Dermal fillers use materials like Autologous Fat, Collagen, Hyaluronic acid, Polylactic acid, and Calcium Hydroxyapatite to increase volume. Hyaluronic acid has emerged as the overwhelming filler substance of choice globally. Since it is naturally present in the lower layers of our skin, it does not have immunogenic potential and is naturally degraded by our body’s processes over time.

Both Botox and Dermal Fillers only take 30 minutes. The results can last for up to a year.