What is SMAS lifting? How dangerous is the procedure?

We have already discussed many ways to combat wrinkles. But under the weight of the years lived, the face not only becomes covered with wrinkles, but stretches down, sags, and we get mournfully drooping corners of the lips, tiredly swollen eyelids, ugly bulldog cheeks and a turtle chin. Skin tightening will no longer help here, because the deeper layers of tissue have lost their elasticity. And we need to influence them. This is why smas lifting was developed.

SMAS lifting - the essence of the method: principle of operation

SMAS lifting
In general, all women know what lifting is. This is skin tightening using chemical or mechanical methods. SMAS facial lifting usually penetrates deeply and its action is aimed at the deep layer of skin that connects to the muscle fibers.

The essence of the technique is quite clear, but in order to understand it, you must first determine how the mechanisms of aging occur. First of all, it could be genetics and lifestyle. However, there are other reasons. For example, with age, the system that serves as a framework weakens and no longer holds the skin so well in its previous position. This causes sagging, small wrinkles, and so on.

SMAS lifting concerns not only the skin and subcutaneous tissue, but also the lower muscular aponeurotic layer. Previously, the procedure was carried out using a scalpel, but since the patients took a long time to recover, doctors looked for new methods. This is how an ultrasound procedure appeared, which is not so traumatic. It allows tissue to be heated at the desired depth, which causes cells to actively produce elastin and collagen. Moreover, the fibers are reduced and the skin is restored.

By the way, the effect is visible immediately, but it takes several months for the tissues to return to their previous shape.

Smas lifting - what is it?

Smas (from the English abbreviation SMAS - superficial muscular aponeurotic system) is a superficial muscular aponeurotic system. If we translate from medical to understandable - a layer of collagen and elastin fibers and, below, facial muscles that are located under the skin, attaching to it.

Under the influence of gravity, this layer “slides” down over time, pulling the skin along with it and not providing it with proper support.

Accordingly, the task of smas lifting is to tighten this subcutaneous layer so that the skin tightens along with it.

Work with smas is carried out deeper than a regular lift, which affects only the skin and the fatty tissue underneath, and allows you to more clearly and radically correct the contours of the face, while avoiding unnatural tightening of the skin and changes in facial features.

Back to the beginning of the article

SMAS face lifting - benefits and harms: pros and cons

Impact of SMAS lifting
SMAS face lifting has certain advantages over other similar rejuvenation procedures. In this case, restoration of the previous oval of the face is carried out not with the help of mechanical tension, but simply by strengthening the frame for the muscles. The procedure allows you to smooth out any wrinkles, even the deepest ones. In addition, the effect lasts for many years and may only require a couple of procedures throughout your life.

Needless to say, this procedure is characterized by a quick recovery, and during its implementation there is minimal discomfort.

There are also certain disadvantages, in particular, the procedure is very expensive, but in any case it is justified. Moreover, in some women, due to the characteristics of the body, there may be no effect. This happens in 15% of cases.

Advantages of the method

Ultrasonic lifting is an innovative procedure in the world of cosmetology. It has many advantages and disadvantages that set it apart from other methods of rejuvenation and facelift. These include:

the ability to provide a facelift at several levels (for example, fatty tissue, SMAS, deep epidermal layers);
the doctor can choose the depth of ultrasound exposure, depending on the needs of the skin and the presence of certain problems; with SMAS lifting, correction of all areas of the face is possible;
the possibility of lifting in other areas, painlessness and simplicity of the session, high efficiency of ultrasonic influence on the epidermis;
absence of a long rehabilitation period, elimination of the possibility of the appearance of postoperative scars and cicatrices, quick results of the tightening;
Possibility of holding at any time of the year;
visual and internal rejuvenation of the deep layers of the skin, a cumulative effect that lasts several months after the session;
the ability to combine ultrasound therapy in combination with other practices for rejuvenation and improvement of appearance;
safety and ease of implementation.

SMAS face lifting: indications and contraindications

In general, SMAS facial lifting is not required in every case. That is, if the first age-related changes appear, then you should not rush to the doctor and carry out the procedure. Experts advise doing it no earlier than 40-45 years old.

Thus, the main indications for the procedure are sagging skin and the appearance of deep wrinkles. When there are only small wrinkles, such lifting will be effective, but there is no point in doing it. For now it’s better to do it in other ways.

In addition, there are a number of contraindications that must also be taken into account:

Epilepsy and other neurological diseases
Skin damage, including acne
If the tissue contains synthetic fillers
Presence of a pacemaker
Oncological diseases
Tendency to develop scars or scars
Diabetes
Presence of piercings and dentures
Autoimmune connective tissue diseases
Taking blood thinners

Plus, the procedure is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women.

Indications

There is no consensus on the age at which ultrasonic lifting should be used. This procedure is not necessary for young women under 30 years of age, but everything is determined by the aging characteristics of each patient. In general, the recommended age for SMAS lifting is:

up to 30 years old - it’s impossible, because the body copes with neocollagenesis on its own;
up to 40 years - possible if there are first signs of gravitational ptosis;
after 40 years - possible;
after 50 years - recommended;
after 60 years - it does not make sense with significant age-related changes.

IMPORTANT! The main indication for SMAS lifting is emerging gravitational ptosis: drooping of the soft tissues of the face, as well as small facial wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity.

Cosmetologists recommend SMAS lifting if:

There are indications for a facelift, but the patient is afraid of surgical intervention.
A woman has had surgery and wants to consolidate the anti-aging effect in a safer way.

SMAS face lifting - how it’s done: procedure procedure

How is SMAS lifting performed?
There are several types of SMAS facial lifting. Thus, there are classic, endoscopic and ultrasound. Each of them is carried out in different ways. Let's discuss each of them.

Classic SMAS face lift

This method is considered the most traumatic. Accordingly, it was the earliest used, but is still used in practice. Careful preparation is required before the operation is performed. The procedure itself takes about two to three hours and is performed under general anesthesia. After the lift is completed, the patient undergoes rehabilitation. The advantage is that the effect lasts for a long time and even when it seems to subside, the patient still looks younger than his age.

The procedure is carried out in the following way:

To begin with, the specialist behind the ear, in the temple area, makes an incision and runs it along the auricle in front of the face and ends in the area behind the ear. This is done to peel off the top layer of skin
After this, the SMAS system is tightened
Any excess that remains is removed, and in some cases doctors additionally perform liposuction.
Now that the top layer of skin is in the right place, it needs to be fixed
Lastly, stitches are applied. Their location is carried out along the hairline

After the operation is completed, a recovery period begins. The patient is observed in the hospital for two days. In this case, a bandage is applied for several days to support the contour of the face. The stitches are removed only after two weeks.

In general, rehabilitation takes 1.5-2 months. During this period, recovery after the procedure occurs. At this time, it is important to use cooling compresses, and the doctor also prescribes a course of antibiotics to prevent inflammation. By the way, it is not recommended to bend below waist level to prevent swelling.

The procedure itself has an excellent effect, but it also has some disadvantages. First of all, this is a long recovery, during which infection can penetrate the stitches, and nerve fibers can also be injured. At the same time, age-related changes will still occur.

The cost of the procedure is approximately 300 thousand rubles.

Endoscopic SMAS face lifting

Results of SMAS lifting
This method is carried out without such drastic intervention and no incisions are made. This allowed us to minimize trauma compared to the previous method. The operation itself takes the same amount of time, but under general anesthesia. At the same time, the result does not last so long, about five years. So it’s not worth doing it until you’re 40 years old. Although the cost of the procedure is much lower.

The procedure is performed through small punctures in the temple area. This is done in places where hair grows. All procedures are carried out using an endoscope with a video camera attached to the end.

The rehabilitation period is also 1.5-2 months.

The advantage of the intervention is that after penetration into the tissue of the endoscope, almost imperceptible traces remain and no stitches are applied. In addition, bruising and swelling do not form, and other consequences do not occur. In addition, since the duration of the effect is not so long, the procedure can be carried out several times.

Ultrasonic SMAS facial lifting

This method is the most gentle of all presented. In this case, ultrasonic waves are used for rejuvenation, and local anesthetic is used for pain relief. The entire procedure lasts about 1.5 hours. By the way, everything that the doctor does can be viewed on the screen that hangs in front of the patient.

Before the procedure, the skin is marked with lines along which the specialist will work, and a gel-like texture is applied on top. Then, using the device, the cosmetologist acts on the patient’s face.

There is no pain during the procedure. As a rule, patients note slight tingling sensations.

Thanks to this method of exposure, the skin actively begins to produce collagen and elastin, but the results do not appear immediately, but after about a week. The procedure reaches its maximum effect only after three months. It only lasts the shortest time - about 1.5-2 years. After this, you are allowed to carry out the procedure again.

By the way, the price of the procedure is not inferior to the endoscopic procedure. So it’s worth considering whether it’s worth paying for such a short-term result. This is why patients are often left disappointed.

Nevertheless, the procedure has a sufficient number of advantages. First of all, it is performed without pain and does not leave any scars. But the main thing is that no rehabilitation is required and therefore immediately after the procedure you can return to your normal lifestyle.

Patient reviews

I barely endured the procedure, but there is a result. I had
the procedure done 3 months ago. To say that she is unpleasant is to say nothing. The pain is not sharp, but somehow unbearable. I barely made it through 45 minutes. I noticed the effect of the procedure after 2 weeks: the jowls disappeared, the skin looks younger. And the contrast with the neck became noticeable. So next time I’ll go do both my face and neck.

At 47 years old you can look 35-40 after one procedure.
Before Haifa, I had fillers done, but an allergic reaction began. I decided to try the advertised ultrasound lifting. The first time after the session I was very upset - the effect was not noticeable even on the 5th day. But after 2 weeks I saw a drastic difference from what I had before. Wrinkles were smoothed out, and the oval of the face was tightened. It is quite possible to look 10 years younger in one procedure. I can’t compare it with plastic surgery - I haven’t done it.

It’s difficult to choose a specialist, it’s expensive, the wrinkles remain, but overall there is an effect.
I spent a long time choosing a clinic because all the masters assure that only they have real Altera, and only they know how to work. But the advice they give is different: some recommend threads together with hifu, while others shout: “Under no circumstances!”
The procedure cost me 90 thousand. The subcutaneous fat disappeared and the face tightened. The effect is, of course, excellent. But the wrinkles were not completely smoothed out. A little expensive.

painful and ineffective
. I’m 58, and on the advice of a cosmetologist, I decided to undergo SMAS lifting using the Altera apparatus. The procedure is very painful, but there is no result. Don't believe the advertising!

It only got worse.
I did it on the oval of the face. After 5 months he “swimmed” even more. They don't even take threads. Now I don’t know how to restore my face after this SMAS lifting.

SMAS ultrasonic eyelid lifting: features of the procedure

SMAS Lifting for the eyelids
In addition to the SMAS facial lifting, there is also a separate procedure for the eyelids. Before performing it, the doctor must conduct an examination and find out whether there are any contraindications. It is carried out on an extremely delicate area of the skin, and therefore only one session is required to perform all the necessary manipulations.

There are certain tips for preparing for the intervention. First of all, a week before the procedure, eyelash extensions are removed if the woman wears them. Moreover, three days in advance you should give up any creams, especially those with acids.

Before exposure begins, the specialist cleanses the skin and applies an antiseptic. Products must be selected taking into account the characteristics of the patient’s skin. So, if they are too sensitive, then hypoallergenic products are applied. Immediately after disinfection, an anesthetic gel is applied. It allows you not to feel any discomfort.

After the gel is absorbed, disinfection is done again. Well, only after this are the areas for work marked out.

Then the specialist applies the gel again and begins to work with an ultrasonic device, treating each area. It independently regulates speed and intensity. The doctor is helped to better perform the operation by a camera that shows all the manipulations on the monitor. The total duration of the session is approximately half an hour. After it, crow's feet disappear from the eyes and the skin rejuvenates.

Question answer

Benefit or harm from the procedure?

Ultrasonic lifting - external rejuvenation for several years without surgical intervention. The method is not beneficial for the patient’s general health, but it is safer than plastic surgery and does not require a rehabilitation period. To ensure that the procedure does not cause harm, it is important to follow three rules:

Discard it if there are contraindications.
Take place on reliable equipment.
Trust only experienced specialists with medical education - the treatment program is determined by the device, but the cosmetologist’s mistakes: repeated treatment of the same areas or exceeding the time lead to burns and scarring of the upper layers of the skin.

How should you prepare for the procedure?

The lift is performed without a scalpel or general anesthesia, and therefore does not require special preparation. For safety reasons, the patient should do the following:

consult a doctor to identify contraindications and assess the possibility of the procedure and the expected result;
A month before the session, avoid any techniques that injure the skin and avoid alcohol.

How often can I do it?

This procedure “reshapes” the subcutaneous tissue and can lead to facial deformation and scarring. Advertising promises safety when repeating sessions every 1.5-2 years, but experts advise doing it no more than once every 6 years and no more than 5 ultrasonic lifts in a lifetime.

Can it be done during pregnancy?

No. Any cosmetic manipulation using a device is stressful for the body and is contraindicated during pregnancy, even in the early stages.

When will the redness go away?

This complication occurs on thin skin or when exposure time is exceeded. Normally, it should go away on the second day after the session.

Can it be done at home?

It is possible if the patient understands how the procedure is performed and how the device works. “Home” devices for SMAS lifting cost about 50 thousand rubles. Those who are willing to spend this money and accept all the risks of doing it at home can carry out the ultrasonic lifting procedure on their own, without the help of qualified doctors.

Important ! The Salonoff portal recommends that the procedure be carried out in beauty salons using high-quality equipment and by cosmetologists with higher medical education.

What results should you expect from the procedure?

10-12 days after the procedure, most patients note the smoothing of facial contours, the disappearance or reduction of the double chin, and the smoothing of wrinkles. There is a rejuvenation effect for several years.

SMAS lifting of the intimate area: features of the procedure

By the way, it is not necessary to carry out a SMAS face lift; you can even do a tightening of the intimate area. This procedure is not indicated for all women. As a rule, it is performed after childbirth and due to age-related changes. The fact is that the vagina can stretch, which leads to a lack of closure of the genital slit. So, it increases in size, and the walls descend. This can also cause urinary incontinence.

What can the procedure be combined with?

One of the obvious advantages of ultrasound facelift is the ability to easily combine it with other rejuvenation methods.

The complex action guarantees a more lasting and noticeable result on the skin. This procedure is well combined with the following types of therapy:

a course of botulinum toxin injections (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin);
for contouring using fillers;
for biorevitalization, mesotherapy;
during diamond resurfacing of the epidermis - microdermabrasion.

SMAS lifting ultrasound procedure - can I use creams?

Cream after SMAS lifting
Some people wonder whether it is possible to use creams after SMAS lifting of the face. In general, you should not do this immediately after the procedure. First of all, it is worth highlighting ultrasonic tightening. After it, as we have already said, the skin does not require restoration and you can lead your usual lifestyle, accordingly, you are allowed to use creams. In the case of other procedures, this will not work.

In the first days after them, the skin is treated with Chlorhexidine, and you can also wash your face with warm water using hypoallergenic products. In addition, in the first week, lotions from a special solution prepared from Furacillin and pharmaceutical chamomile are allowed. It is enough to carry out the procedure three times a day for 20-30 minutes.

Expert advice

Make sure that this procedure is suitable for you and there are no contraindications. Learn about other rejuvenation methods, including less aggressive ones.
Discuss the expected result and additional procedures with a cosmetologist.
IMPORTANT! SMAS lifting does not give volume to the tissues, so to consolidate the effect, the procedure is combined with fillers, injections of your own plasma or botulinum toxin, thread lifting, etc.
During the recovery period after the session, observe the following rules: • do not use decorative cosmetics on the day of the procedure; • do not drink alcohol for 2-3 days; • for 5-7 days, refrain from visiting the gym, sauna, solarium, swimming pool, do not do peeling and scrubbing; • in sunny weather, use products with UV protection; • wash only with cool water.
To consolidate the effect, use caring cosmetics and do facial exercises.

Ultrasonic SMAS lifting is an aggressive technique because it affects the deep layers of the skin. Before deciding on this procedure, you should evaluate all the risks and possible consequences. A negligent attitude towards your health will not only destroy the entire effect of the procedure, but will also lead to serious consequences, which will have to be eliminated with more expensive and lengthy therapy.

Rehabilitation after SMAS face lifting: features

Since ultrasonic SMAS facial lifting does not involve long-term rehabilitation, experts do not give any special advice. Although, for some time it is still worth being careful and not acting too aggressively on the skin so as not to harm it.

As for other procedures, everything is much more complicated with them. First of all, the patient must awaken from anesthesia. In principle, no special actions are required, but still waking up is also not so easy, and it takes time. After a few hours, the first sensations of pain appear. They are eliminated with the help of analgesics.

The patient is given a bandage for several days after the operation. When it is removed, swelling, hematomas and bruises may appear. To eliminate them, the doctor prescribes special procedures. If you do not want to face undesirable consequences, then you must visit them. Thanks to them, healing is faster.

What are the advantages of a facelift using the Liftera device?

The result lasts from 1 to 2 years.
The procedure does not cause significant pain.
The expected result is most often achieved after 1 procedure.
There is no rehabilitation, you will be able to continue leading a normal lifestyle immediately after the procedure.
When the procedure is combined with other cosmetological techniques (hardware or injection), a significant rejuvenating effect is achieved, which postpones the need for plastic surgery for several years.

SMAS face lifting - how long does it last?

How long does the SMAS lift last?
An equally important question is how long does the SMAS face lift last? As we have already said, after the classical procedure the effect will please the eye for 10-15 years, but you just need to understand that this is a surgical intervention. Endoscopic lifting is slightly less effective; its properties remain for about five years, but still the method is not so traumatic. The most recent one is ultrasonic, it passes faster than others and lasts about 1.5 years.

Contraindications

Hardware SMAS lifting is not performed in the following cases:

pregnancy and lactation;
oncological diseases;
metal prostheses, for example, crowns in treatment areas;
installed pacemaker;
diseases of the cardiovascular system;
moles and neoplasms in the affected areas, herpes in the acute stage, allergic rashes and other skin diseases;
low pain threshold.

FOR REFERENCE . Diabetes mellitus is not a contraindication for SMAS lifting.

Complications after ultrasound, classical, endoscopic SMAS face lifting: features

SMAS facial lifting, classic and endoscopic, is a surgical procedure. Of course, complications and side effects may occur after it. They may be the following:

Swelling and hematomas . They usually resolve within a week or two. But sometimes blood can leak inside if the vessels have been damaged. In such a situation, the vessels are ligated and the accumulated fluid is removed. As for swelling, it may not go away within one to two months. As a rule, they go away within 10-12 days. To speed up the healing process, use cool compresses. Try not to tilt your head too much, so as not to aggravate the situation.
Redness . This complication mainly occurs due to the thinness of the skin. Usually, if the procedure is successful, the redness disappears on the second day.
Painful sensations . This reaction is normal because the operation was performed. Pain may occur systematically or only when affecting the skin. Usually all symptoms go away on their own within four weeks. At the same time, the skin may lose a little sensitivity that it had before.
Partial nerve palsy . Considered an unintended consequence. In this case, additional intervention or the use of medications may even be required. This can happen if the doctor accidentally injures a nerve during surgery. This complication occurs very rarely and indicates the doctor’s unprofessionalism.
Tissue necrosis . In places of incisions, suppuration and destruction of the skin may appear. May occur as a result of improper wound care after surgery.

Reviews from cosmetologists

Olga Larina, Tori cosmetology center
There are hardware techniques that have successfully replaced plastic surgery. For example, ultrasonic face lifting using the Ulthera device. If you do it in a timely manner, you won’t need to visit a plastic surgeon for a long time.

Yana Laputina, Beauty Time clinic
Ulthera ultrasonic lifting is one of my favorite techniques. It should be done for women when the oval of the face begins to sag and the skin loses its elasticity. For the first time, I would recommend ultrasound lifting of the lower third of the face, neck and décolleté.

Igor Kirikevich, doctor - dermatologist
Those who are financially interested in popularizing SMAS lifting claim that the technique is minimally invasive and gentle. But the absence of surgery does not mean the absence of pain, contraindications and side effects. I am convinced that this procedure should only be performed by a specialist with medical education. Simply learning this method in a two-month course is not enough. And after the procedure, the face requires special care.
A competent doctor - cosmetologist, a high-quality apparatus for carrying out the procedure and facial gymnastics will give the patient the result that he expects from ultrasonic lifting.

Elena Rumyantseva, dermatocosmetologist
This is the only hardware technology with tightening at the SMAS level. But with severe gravitational ptosis, it will not give the same result as surgical lifting. In my opinion, the method can be recommended for women under 65 years of age with thick skin and a small amount of fatty tissue.

Maria Samborskaya, doctor - cosmetologist
It is difficult to name the age at which ultrasonic lifting is recommended - someone even 30 years old looks like 60. The main criterion: the physiological characteristics of the patient. The procedure will be effective for initial ptosis and slight drooping of the eyebrows, eyelids, facial contours, and emerging double chin. When age-related changes are more pronounced, hardware techniques will not help.

SMAS face lifting: photos before and after the procedure

Many women are interested in what SMAS face lifting looks like in its finished form, that is, what the woman looked like before the procedure and what happened after. We invite you to look at several women who have undergone the procedure.

Before and after 1

Before and after 2

Before and after 3

Before and after 4

Before and after 5

Possible complications

Formation of hematomas.
Superficial hematomas (bruises) resolve after 7–10 days, but there is a possibility of bleeding of a separate vessel and the occurrence of repeated hematomas. Infection of a postoperative wound. When the first signs of infection appear: redness of the edges of the wound, discharge of pus, the wound is immediately opened, washed and sutured again.

Loss of sensitivity in some areas of the facial skin occurs as a result of damage to nerve fibers during surgery. As new nerve endings regenerate and grow, sensitivity will gradually be restored.

Prolonged healing of sutures can be caused by reduced immunity when regenerative processes in cells are weakened.

Ultrasonic SMAS face lifting: reviews, forum

When women do a SMAS face lift, they always share their reviews on the Internet. They share their impressions of the procedure and tell whether it is worth doing. Here's what women say about this type of lifting:

Review 1 Review 2

Review 3

Review 4

Review 5

Equipment used to perform the procedure

The first devices for ultrasonic SMAS lifting began to be used in cosmetology in 2009. The safety of the procedure depends on the choice of device, since the number of coagulation points is determined by the size of the sensor’s working spot and the mode of exposure.

Popular models of equipment for SMAS lifting:

Doublo;
Ulthera;
Ultraformer;
Abas One;
U-ONE;
HIFU PRO 5.

Rating of SMAS lifting devices