01/13/2026
Deep Plane vs SMAS Facelift: Which facelift technique is best?
The answer depends on how aging is affecting your face and how the deeper tissues are addressed. Both traditional SMAS and deep plane facelifts work on the SMAS layer, a deeper muscular and fibrous tissue beneath the skin that truly drives facial aging. The key difference is where and how that layer is released and repositioned. The inner face is where most movement and aging occur, while the outer face changes far less. A deep plane or extended deep plane facelift releases more of the retaining ligaments and works further into this mobile inner zone, allowing the face to be lifted more naturally and comprehensively. While SMAS techniques can produce good results, I prefer the deep plane facelift technique to allow for deeper release and repositioning that leads to more balanced, longer lasting, and natural looking outcomes.