What are the Face Lift Procedure Types and Techniques?
There are several different types of face lifts. Some of these techniques are designed to improve the appearance over most of the face, while others are limited to specific areas. Each of the techniques has
variations and Dr. Porterfield may choose any or combine one or more of the techniques to create a customized procedure for you. The techniques include:

• Standard, Conventional or Traditional Face Lift
• Superficial (or Sub-) Muscular Aponeurotic System (SMAS)
• Neck Lift (Platysmaplasty)
• S-Lift
• Mini-Face Lift
• Deep Plane Face Lift
• Temporal Face Lift (lateral lift, lateral brow lift)
• Mid-Face Lift

Standard, Conventional or Traditional Face Lift: This procedure helps rejuvenate an aged, sagging face. Incision lines are usually along or behind the hairline at the sides of the face. For most people, the incisions run from just above the ears, down and around the ears (where they are hidden in the natural fold in front of the ears) and then up and behind the ears. Excess skin is removed, and the remaining skin is lifted and sutured into place creating a face that looks tighter and younger. Some surgeons may perform a skin-only face lift, while others may move underlying fat and muscle.

Superficial (or Sub-) Muscular Aponeurotic System (SMAS) Lift: The SMAS is the facial muscles and connective tissue that are responsible for facial movements. In this method the SMAS is tightened in addition to the skin being lifted upward and outward. Some surgeons say that a SMAS lift lasts longer than a skin-only lift.

Neck Lift (Platysmaplasty): The platysma is the muscle that runs down the neck vertically from the chin. This muscle can loosen and start to droop with age, leading to the appearance of a “turkey neck.” In platysmaplasty, this muscle is tightened and trimmed to create a more youthful appearance, and excess skin and fat are also removed. A neck lift is typically performed in conjunction with a face lift, but it can be performed independently if there is no need to tighten the facial muscles or skin.

S-Lift: This procedure is sometimes called a mini-face life, and it can improve the appearance of the lower third of the face (including the jaw line, jowls, and neck). An S-shaped incision is made in front of the ear. Skin and underlying layers are then moved and pulled up and to the side and sutured into new positions. An S-lift can also be combined with liposuction of the neck.

Mini-Face Lift: This procedure lifts the skin of the face to the sides (laterally) using only incisions directly in front of the ear, and can improve the nasolabial folds (the creases that go from the nose to the corners of the mouth).

Deep Plane Face Lift: This procedure is performed in a deeper plane than the standard face lift. This procedure is similar to a SMAS lift, but can be more beneficial to someone with sagging nasolabial folds.

Temporal Face Lift (lateral lift, lateral brow lift): This procedure is a variation on a brow lift and uses incisions placed in the hairline at the temples. The tissues are moved to the side and diagonally up and away from the center of the face. This technique can smooth out small wrinkles in the forehead, around the eyes and in the area between your eyebrows at the top of your nose. A temporal lift can give a firmer look to the face by lifting and tightening skin around the cheeks. There are variations to this procedure, including the use of internal suture material for suspension and underlying muscle
tightening.

Mid-Face Lift: This procedure is used to create a more youthful appearance by tightening skin under the eye and improving the appearance of the nasolabial area, upper mouth and outer upper lip area. It can be a good choice for younger patients who may not need a full face lift. This procedure does not affect the brows and may therefore be performed in conjunction with a brow lift. A mid-face lift can be carried out two ways. The open technique uses an incision under the lower lash line and can include an additional small incision within the nasolabial fold. This technique is a great option for those who need a more vertical lift rather than a horizontal or diagonal lift, and gives a subtle result and rejuvenation, rather than a dramatically altered appearance. The endoscopic technique requires two short incisions in the scalp above the temples. This approach can improve the appearance of the outer eye, temple and brow.

How do the different types vary? Ask us about this.
Briefly, they vary in regards to: 
  a. Where the incisions are placed
  b. Whether they adjust skin only or skin and underlying tissue
  c. What areas of the face they treat
  d. How invasive they are