APEX Plastic Surgery SMAS Face Lift — the key is dissecting meticulously down to the SMAS layer and lifting it

Apex Motto

Different skills, different result

Apex plastic surgery is professional and experienced.Apex specializes in cosmetic surgeries including eye surgery, nose surgery, face lifting & anti-aging, and breast surgery

down to the SMAS layer with meticulous dissection Lifting it is the key!

The APEX SMAS Face Lift is By lifting from the outer skin down to the SMAS layer, the source of aging, overall sagging, wrinkles, By improving skin elasticity as well, results with high satisfaction can be expected. Post-op care also helps you return to daily life quickly.

Close-up of a woman with her eyes closed, cradling and lifting both cheeks with her hands — an image evoking improvement of wrinkles and sagging

Powerful, reliable improvement of wrinkles and sagging

Overall facial wrinkles and sagging, in a single procedure, can be markedly improved.

Anatomical diagram of the left side of a woman's face showing the face lift dissection area as a translucent red field and the incision path as a white line. The diagram is labeled 'incision line' and 'dissection area'.

Extensive dissection for long-lasting results and high satisfaction

Deep, wide dissection down to the fascial layer The lifting effect lasts a long time, giving high satisfaction.

Close-up of a smiling woman with her fingertips on her cheek and jawline — an image evoking prevention of ear deformity and minimal scarring

Prevents pixie ear and minimizes scarring

Meticulous suturing helps prevent pixie ear, a side effect of face lifts, Scarring is minimized.

APEX Anti-Aging & Lifting Precision Analysis System — SMAS layer lifting, with SMAS Face Lift and Mini Lift compared

Analysis System

APEX Anti-Aging & Lifting Precision Analysis System

At APEX Plastic Surgery, surgery is performed after a thorough consultation and detailed analysis.

Aging and skin laxity analysis

Analyzing the degree of aging by age group, a method suited to each individual's condition
Surgery proceeds with the method and direction adjusted accordingly.
Face line and proportion analysis

Analyzing changes in the facial line and the golden ratio caused by wrinkles and sagging,
establishes a surgical plan to match.
Analysis of retaining ligaments, muscle, fat

By carefully analyzing facial muscle thickness, the retaining ligaments, and fat distribution,
we decide on and carry out the lifting method best suited to it.
Epidermis Dermis Hypodermis

Skin elasticity analysis

The type of surgery is determined by each person's degree of skin sagging and skin elasticity, and
The amount of skin removed is adjusted for a customized surgery.

Why?

down to the SMAS layer
Why lifting is needed

Why is lifting down to the SMAS layer necessary?

including the outer skin as well as the fat tissue, muscle and fascial (SMAS) layer beneath it
Because sagging occurs, the deep fascial layer (SMAS layer) must be lifted as well,
The lifting effect lasts longer and satisfying results can be achieved.

What is the SMAS layer?

It refers to the thin fibromuscular fascia layer (SMAS) between the subcutaneous fat and the muscle layer.
The fascial layer beneath the subcutaneous fat is connected with the facial muscles of expression, connective tissue, fascia and blood vessels
such structures are located there with the facial nerve beneath them, so
It requires the surgeon's anatomical knowledge and extensive experience.

3D cross-sectional diagram of the skin divided into skin, fat and muscle layers. From the top: epidermis, dermis (upper), dermis (lower) and fascia (SMAS).

What are retaining ligaments?

as soft tissue connecting the bone to the muscle, fascia, subcutaneous fat, and dermal layer
They play a key role in holding the skin against sagging. When part of the retaining ligaments
As the retaining ligaments loosen with aging, or are congenitally dense,
It may appear on the skin surface as a wrinkle or a groove.

Compare

SMAS Face Lift vs. Mini Lift

Learn the differences between the SMAS face lift and the mini lift to apply the right method.

Side-view facial illustration showing the incision extent and the fascia-layer dissection area of a SMAS face lift

Side-face illustration marking the incision range and fascial dissection range of a mini lift

SMAS Face Lift vs. Mini Lift: incision site, age range, lifting effect, and recovery period
SMAS Face Lift	Type	Mini Lift
Incision from in front of the ear to behind it	Incision Site	Small incisions in front of the ear, temple, etc.
Ages 50+ with deep wrinkles	Age Group	Relatively younger, in their 30~40s
The midface, lower face and neck lines too Overall wrinkle improvement	Lifting effect	Nasolabial folds, cheek sagging, mouth lines, etc. Wrinkle improvement by sagging area
About 2 weeks	Recovery Period	About 1 week (minimal bruising & swelling)

APEX SMAS Face Lift

A woman with long straight hair, fingertips at her chin, gazing into the distance

Who?

APEX SMAS Face Lift
Who is it right for?

Learn who is a candidate for the APEX SMAS Face Lift.

01When you want to improve skin sagging and wrinkles across the whole face
02If you want semi-permanent, definite lifting
03Cheek sagging after facial contouring surgery
04When thread lifting, laser lifting or similar treatments did not deliver results
05If you want a dramatic lifting effect from a single surgery

Surgery

APEX SMAS Face Lift Method

How is the APEX SMAS Face Lift performed?

Lifting the skin together with the fascial layer (SMAS layer) can improve overall facial sagging and wrinkles.
The incisions in front of and behind the ear are sutured delicately so that a deformed ear does not occur as a side effect.

Before surgery

Overall, on the face and neck
Wrinkles and sagging have developed
Incision after design

designing the incision according to the degree of wrinkling
incisions are made in front of and behind the ear.
SMAS layer dissection, retaining ligament release

The skin and the SMAS layer are delicately dissected,
The retaining ligaments are released.
Fixation and excess skin removal

fixing the SMAS layer of the midface, lower face and neck
removes the excess, wrinkled skin.
Suturing and dressing of the incision

by suturing the incision meticulously and delicately
Reduces swelling and enhances the lifting effect.
After surgery

Overall facial sagging and wrinkles
is improved.