The beauty landscape is experiencing a dramatic shift. Gone are the days when TikTok influencers and celebrities flaunted the ultra-“snatched” look with razor-sharp cheekbones and impossibly tight skin. Today’s aesthetic movement embraces the “soft face” – a gentler, more natural approach that celebrates youthful fullness and authentic beauty. This cultural transformation has profoundly influenced facelift techniques, with plastic surgeons now prioritizing natural-looking rejuvenation over dramatic alterations.
As we move away from the overdone aesthetic of the past decade, patients are seeking facelift procedures that enhance their natural beauty rather than completely changing their appearance. The question is: which facelift technique aligns best with this softer, more refined approach to facial rejuvenation?
If you’re considering a facelift and want results that look naturally refreshed rather than surgically obvious, Wave Plastic Surgery’s expert surgeons can help you determine which advanced technique will best achieve your aesthetic goals.
What Is a SMAS Facelift? Benefits and Limitations
The SMAS facelift has been a cornerstone of facial plastic surgery for decades. This technique focuses on the SMAS layer, a fibrous network of muscles and connective tissue that lies beneath the skin and subcutaneous fat. At Wave Plastic Surgery, we specialize in the advanced High SMAS technique, which represents a significant evolution beyond traditional SMAS approaches.
The procedure works by addressing the underlying structural support of the face, particularly targeting the lower face and neck area. Our surgeons create incisions around the hairline and ears, then lift and reposition the SMAS layer through comprehensive muscle release and repositioning to create a more youthful contour.
Benefits of Advanced SMAS Techniques:
- Exceptional results with our proprietary High SMAS approach
- Highly effective for comprehensive facial rejuvenation including midface volume restoration
- Excellent for addressing neck laxity and creating a defined neck-to-jawline transition
- Natural-looking results that last 10-15 years with advanced techniques
- Well-understood procedure with predictable outcomes when performed by experienced surgeons
Considerations with Traditional SMAS Approaches
- Standard SMAS techniques may provide less comprehensive midface rejuvenation compared to advanced High SMAS or deep-plane methods
- Results typically last 7-10 years with traditional approaches, compared to 10-15 years with advanced techniques
- May require combination with additional procedures like fat grafting to address volume loss with older methods
At Wave Plastic Surgery, our High SMAS technique addresses many limitations of traditional SMAS procedures through comprehensive muscle release and repositioning, delivering more natural results with enhanced longevity.
What Is a Deep-Plane Facelift and Why Is It Popular?
The deep-plane facelift represents a sophisticated approach to facial rejuvenation. Unlike SMAS techniques, which work primarily on the superficial muscle layer, the deep-plane facelift operates beneath the SMAS layer entirely. This technique involves releasing and repositioning the deeper facial muscles and fat pads as a cohesive unit, maintaining the natural relationships between these structures.
During a deep-plane facelift, the surgeon works in the deeper anatomical planes of the face, carefully separating the facial muscles from the underlying bone and repositioning them to their more youthful position. This approach allows for comprehensive rejuvenation while maintaining the face’s natural expressions and movement patterns.
Deep-Plane Facelift at Wave Plastic Surgery
At Wave Plastic Surgery, our surgeons consider the deep-plane facelift highly effective for facial rejuvenation because it produces results that look naturally refreshed rather than surgically altered. Our team’s expertise in this sophisticated technique is particularly well-suited to the current “soft face” movement, which emphasizes gentle enhancement over dramatic transformation.
Our deep-plane approach offers several compelling advantages that align perfectly with modern aesthetic preferences. First, it provides natural rejuvenation by maintaining the integrity of facial expressions and avoiding the artificial appearance that can result from less sophisticated techniques. The procedure excels at volume restoration, particularly in the cheeks and midface area, where age-related volume loss is most noticeable.
Perhaps most importantly, Wave’s deep-plane facelifts typically provide longer-lasting results because they address the fundamental structural changes that occur with aging. Rather than simply pulling skin tighter, our technique repositions the underlying architecture of the face to its more youthful configuration.
Deep-Plane vs. SMAS Facelift: Key Differences
Understanding the fundamental differences between these two approaches can help you make an informed decision about which technique best suits your aesthetic goals and lifestyle.
- Depth of Lift: The most significant difference lies in the surgical approach itself. Advanced SMAS techniques like our High SMAS approach work on the superficial muscle layer with comprehensive release and repositioning, while leaving deeper structures relatively undisturbed. In contrast, the deep-plane technique works beneath the SMAS layer, repositioning deeper muscles and fat pads as interconnected units.
- Aesthetic Results: Both techniques can create excellent, natural-looking results when performed by experienced surgeons. Advanced SMAS approaches like our High SMAS technique can achieve comprehensive facial rejuvenation, including midface volume restoration. Deep-plane facelifts excel at producing soft, natural-looking results that maintain facial harmony and preserve natural expressions.
- Longevity: Both advanced techniques offer excellent longevity. Our High SMAS approach typically provides results lasting 10-15 years, while deep-plane facelifts also offer long-lasting outcomes. Recent research shows that deep-plane procedures achieve higher patient satisfaction rates at 94.4% compared to traditional SMAS techniques at 87.8%.
- Recovery and Surgical Expertise: Both procedures require similar recovery times, typically 2-3 weeks for initial healing. At Wave Plastic Surgery, our board-certified surgeons are extensively trained in both techniques, ensuring optimal results regardless of which approach best suits your needs. The deep-plane technique involves more complex dissection in deeper tissue layers, while our High SMAS approach focuses on comprehensive muscle release and repositioning. Studies indicate that younger patients achieve better long-term results with longer-lasting satisfaction rates regardless of the technique chosen.
Facelift Comparison Chart
Feature | High SMAS Facelift | Deep-Plane Facelift |
Surgical Layer | Comprehensive SMAS muscle release and repositioning | Works beneath the SMAS, repositioning deeper tissues |
Primary Results | Complete facial rejuvenation including midface volume restoration | Restores midface volume, smooths nasolabial folds, and lifts jawline |
Aesthetic Outcome | Natural, youthful contours with comprehensive muscle repositioning | Natural, softer, more youthful contours |
Longevity | 10–15 years with advanced High SMAS technique | 10–15 years on average |
Recovery | 2–3 weeks typical | 2–3 weeks typical |
Best For | Patients wanting comprehensive rejuvenation with advanced muscle repositioning | Patients wanting overall rejuvenation and natural fullness |
Which Facelift Technique Is Right for the Soft Face Look?
The “soft face” aesthetic represents a fundamental shift toward celebrating natural beauty and gentle enhancement. This approach emphasizes gentle contours, youthful fullness, and preserved natural facial movement rather than dramatic structural changes or overly defined features.
For patients seeking to achieve the soft face look, both our High SMAS and deep-plane techniques can deliver excellent results when performed by experienced surgeons. Our High SMAS approach has been refined to provide comprehensive volume restoration and natural muscle repositioning, while our deep-plane expertise ensures optimal midface rejuvenation for patients requiring extensive tissue repositioning.
Both techniques excel at addressing the key components of facial aging that contribute to a tired or aged appearance:
- Restoring midface volume that naturally diminishes with age
- Smoothing deep nasolabial folds without creating an artificial appearance
- Lifting and supporting sagging tissues while maintaining natural facial expressions
- Creating overall facial harmony rather than focusing solely on individual features
The importance of customized treatment planning cannot be overstated. Wave’s experienced plastic surgeons will evaluate your unique facial anatomy, aesthetic goals, and lifestyle factors to recommend the approach that will provide the most natural, harmonious results for your individual needs. Understanding how long a facelift lasts is also crucial when making this important decision.
Get Your Consultation Today
Give us a call today to schedule your consultation with one of our plastic surgeons at Wave Plastic Surgery.
Complementary Procedures to Enhance Facelift Results
At Wave Plastic Surgery, we understand that achieving optimal facial rejuvenation often involves combining surgical and non-surgical approaches. Our comprehensive menu of complementary treatments can enhance facelift results while supporting the “less is more” philosophy that defines modern aesthetic medicine.
Skin Boosters and Injectables
Strategic use of dermal fillers and neuromodulators can enhance facelift results by addressing fine lines and adding subtle volume where needed. Our expert injectors use products like Sculptra, Juvederm, and Restylane to create a natural glow that complements surgical rejuvenation.
Botox and other neuromodulators can soften expression lines and prevent the formation of new wrinkles, helping maintain your facelift results for years to come. When used judiciously, these treatments enhance rather than overshadow the natural improvement achieved through surgery.
Advanced Skin Rejuvenation
Laser resurfacing treatments like Morpheus8 and Ultherapy can significantly improve skin texture and tone, addressing sun damage, fine lines, and skin laxity that surgery alone cannot fully correct. These treatments work synergistically with facelift surgery to create comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
Our skin tightening procedures, including AccuTite and Forma, can enhance the results of your facelift by addressing areas that may not be fully corrected through surgery alone, such as the delicate skin around the eyes or subtle texture irregularities.
Non-Surgical Alternatives
For patients not ready for surgery or seeking to maintain their results, thread lifts offer a minimally invasive option for facial lifting and tightening. Our Flash Lift and New Lift procedures can provide subtle improvement with minimal downtime.
These complementary treatments align perfectly with the current aesthetic philosophy of enhancement rather than transformation, allowing patients to achieve their desired results through a combination of approaches tailored to their individual needs and comfort level.
Why Choose Wave Plastic Surgery for Your Facelift?
World-Class Surgical Expertise
Wave Plastic Surgery’s board-certified surgeons have mastered both High SMAS and deep-plane facelift techniques, trained at prestigious institutions including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Duke, and UCSF. Dr. Peter Lee, our founder and CEO, is internationally recognized for developing the proprietary High SMAS technique and Wave Lift, attracting patients worldwide seeking natural-looking results.
Our dual-technique expertise means your surgeon recommends the optimal approach based on your specific anatomy and goals—not just what they’re comfortable performing. With thousands of successful facelifts performed, our team delivers consistently natural, beautiful results.
Proven Track Record
As one of the largest plastic surgery practices in the United States specializing in anti-aging procedures, Wave Plastic Surgery has built its reputation on surgical precision and aesthetic artistry. Our philosophy is simple: the best facelift is one that looks like you never had surgery at all.
Convenient California Locations
Five state-of-the-art facilities across California—Los Angeles, Costa Mesa, San Francisco, Arcadia, and Rowland Heights—each maintaining the same high standards of care and results that define the Wave experience.
Get Your Consultation Today
Give us a call today to schedule your personalized consultation with one of our plastic surgeons at Wave Plastic Surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is one of the biggest concerns we hear from patients, and it’s exactly why choosing the right technique and surgeon matters so much. Both our High SMAS and deep-plane facelifts are specifically designed to create natural-looking results because they work with your face’s natural anatomy rather than just pulling skin tight. The “overdone” or “windblown” look typically comes from outdated techniques or inexperienced surgeons. At Wave Plastic Surgery, our surgeons specialize in creating refreshed, natural results that enhance your beauty rather than changing your fundamental appearance. You’ll look like the best version of yourself, not like a different person.
The choice between High SMAS and deep-plane techniques isn’t about one being “better”—it’s about which approach will deliver your desired results most effectively. At Wave Plastic Surgery, our surgeons’ expertise in both methods means your treatment recommendation is based purely on what will work best for your unique facial structure and aesthetic goals. During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your facial anatomy, aging patterns, and desired outcomes to recommend whether our advanced High SMAS technique or deep-plane approach will provide the most natural, long-lasting results for you.
Most of our facelift patients can return to work after 10-14 days, though this depends on your job and comfort level. The initial swelling and bruising are most noticeable in the first week, with significant improvement by week two. Many patients feel comfortable with light social activities around the 2-week mark, especially with makeup and strategic styling. However, if you have important social events or professional commitments, we recommend planning your surgery at least 3-4 weeks in advance. Everyone heals differently, and we’ll give you a personalized timeline based on your specific procedure and healing progress.
References
- Khoury, S., Almubarak, Z., Khan, H., et al. The Deep Plane versus SMAS Facelift: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-025-05118-x
- Liu, T.S., & Owsley, J.Q. Long-term results of face lift surgery: patient photographs compared with patient satisfaction ratings. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2012. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/patients-under-50-get-best-long-term-results-from-facelift-surgery
- Becker, F.F., & Bassichis, B.A. Deep-plane face-lift vs superficial musculoaponeurotic system plication face-lift: a comparative study. Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery. 2004. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14732637/
SMAS Facelift Before & After
Learn about the techniques that helped this 70-year-old woman look 20 years younger. In this video, Dr. Peter Lee of Wave Plastic Surgery breaks down the procedures that lead to this amazing full Face Transformation.
Quick Take Aways:
- Both High SMAS and deep-plane facelifts deliver natural, long-lasting results lasting 10-15 years when performed by experienced surgeons.
- The choice between techniques depends on your facial anatomy and goals—not surgeon limitations. Wave's dual expertise ensures optimal recommendations.
- Deep-plane facelifts excel at comprehensive midface rejuvenation, while High SMAS provides advanced muscle repositioning for natural volume restoration.
- Wave Plastic Surgery's board-certified surgeons have mastered both techniques across Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Francisco locations.
