SMAS facelift: what do you need to know about the most popular procedure for rejuvenation?

Today, SMAS lifting (also called non-surgical) is one of the most popular hardware procedures in aesthetic medicine clinics. It literally tightens the skin, does not require rehabilitation, the effect is noticeable after three months and can be repeated almost indefinitely. Sounds perfect, right? But many still do not trust the SMAS lifting technique. We spoke to the expert beauticians at Professor Yutskovskaya’s Clinic and Dr. Esthetician” to learn all the pros, cons, and pitfalls of the procedure.

What is SMAS face lift?

Many people think that SMAS stands for the machine on which the procedure is performed. Not exactly.

“SMAS is a tissue that connects all layers of the face (facial muscles, ligaments, fat and skin). Its scientific name is “superficial muscular-aponeurotic layer”. Relatively speaking, the clarity of the contours of the face and neck depends on it. Therefore, the hardware SMAS removal procedure was first “tried” on the face, and then it began to be used to improve the appearance of the body, explains Professor Yutskovskaya’s cosmetic department”.

SMAS face lift benefits

Beautician Anastasia Saibel highlights the following benefits.

– The process is unique, takes 1–1.5 hours and the lifting effect increases.

– It can be done at any age from the age of 18.

– It can be applied to the face, neck and other parts of the body to “tighten” tissues.

— No visible traces of rehabilitation.

– The procedure does not damage the skin surface, so after its implementation there are no restrictions.

— A properly performed SMAS lifting effect is noticeable immediately after the procedure.

– The lasting effect of removal is one to two years, depending on age, patient history and lifestyle.

– A bright visible effect occurs in 1.5-2 months. You can repeat the process after 3-6 months to increase the effect.

SMAS lifting hazards

Any procedure has certain pitfalls. In SMAS lifting, every detail is important, from the competence of the doctor to the amount of gel applied to the patient’s skin. According to Anastasia Saibel, any little thing can nullify the effect of the procedure and in extreme cases lead to complications. “Under the SMAS (tissue) there are large vessels and nerves that can be damaged. For this reason, it is important to have a visualization of the device, that is, to see the level of the effect during the procedure, thanks to the ultrasound screen of the doctor, because the placement of blood vessels and nerves, the depth and thickness of the SMAS have been determined. own characteristics for each patient, ”says the beautician.

How is SMAS lifting done?

The chief physician of the clinics network, Dr. Esthetician. – Simply put, high-intensity focused ultrasonic waves create microcoagulation zones at a well-defined depth without affecting the epidermis. The connective tissue that forms the connective apparatus of the face decreases in volume and creates a lifting effect. Good results are obtained in patients who complain of the presence of the second chin. In this case, the ultrasound diagnostics that the Doublo device has allows you to study local fat deposits at the right depth and correct the oval of the face, making it clearer.

When will the result appear?

Anastasia Saibel says that the final result appears about 2-3 months after the procedure. Also, the repeated hardware SMAS removal procedure has a cumulative effect. “The right type I-III collagen is formed, the quality of elastin is improved, the tissues are properly oxygenated, the necessary volumes are maintained, and those with “excess” become more compact and toned,” says the beautician.

What are the indications for the procedure?

Anastasia Baeva highlights the following among the main indications for SMAS lifting:

– “floating” oval of the face;

– sagging of the skin;

– lack of clear contours of the lower jaw;

– Pronounced nasolabial folds and cheeks;

– double dewlap.

But what about contraindications?

Anastasia Saibel divides contraindications into two groups – absolute and temporary.

absolute

– Systemic scleroderma

– Real tendency to keloid scars

– Presence of a pacemaker

Temporary

– Any acute inflammatory condition: influenza, SARS, inflammatory processes on the skin at the procedure site

– Exacerbation of any chronic disease, including herpes

— pregnancy

– Breast-feeding

When can the procedure be repeated?

“Everyone is individual, and the duration of the result depends on many factors. But on average, we recommend repeating the SMAS lift every 1-1.5 years,” says Anastasia Baeva.

Can it be combined with other processes?

In any case, prior to the procedure, a preliminary consultation with a specialist is necessary to choose not only the right SMAS stretching protocol, but also the right time. Nevertheless, Anastasia Saibel gives procedures that must be carefully combined with SMAS-lifting.

– Non-absorbable (“gold”) threads. SMAS lifting can be done one year after implantation.

– Soluble threads. The SMAS facelift can be performed six months after implantation.

– Fillers. SMAS lifting can be done 30 days after injection.

SMAS face lift VS plastic surgery

If you still have a question, why do you need a SMAS-lift if plastic surgery, Anastasia Saibel answers:

“Since the 70s of the last century, only surgical SMAS removal – that is, a circular facelift with exfoliation of this layer – has been performed. However, over time, demand began to decline. The fact is that in modern realities, patients are not ready for a long and complex post-operative rehabilitation, as well as the risks of changes in facial expressions and facial features. Therefore, in response to patient requests, a revolutionary new procedure appeared – SMAS removal.

In 2009, the Ulthera System hardware technique, a micro-focused ultrasound (MFU) procedure that can safely penetrate the multimuscular aponeurotic layer and deliver an effect as close as possible to a surgical lift, was registered and validated in the United States. . Today, Altera-Therapy is one of the most effective preventive medicine procedures (that is, for the prevention of age-related changes) and correction of age-related gravity changes. A non-surgical facelift can be performed an infinite number of times, with marked improvement and naturalness, provided everything is done right.”