When you start looking into facelift surgery, it is common to come across two techniques that are often compared: the SMAS facelift and the deep plane facelift. While both are used to treat facial ageing, they are not the same, and the more suitable option can depend on your anatomy, the areas being treated, and the kind of change being considered. This guide explains the difference in plain language, so you can better understand how SMAS facelift Sydney compares with deep plane facelift surgery and what may be discussed during consultation.
What Is the SMAS Layer?
Before comparing techniques, it helps to understand what the SMAS is, because both approaches work on this same layer.
The SMAS, or superficial musculoaponeurotic system, is a sheet of tissue beneath the skin of the face that extends from the neck towards the forehead. It is made up of collagen, elastin, fat, and muscle fibres, and it plays an important role in supporting the skin and facial muscles. Over time, this layer can descend along with the skin, contributing to the changes in the lower face and neck that patients seek to address with facelift surgery.
Because the SMAS connects the deeper muscles of the face to the overlying skin, addressing it during a facelift — rather than just tightening the skin alone — tends to produce results that hold longer and look more natural.
What Is a SMAS Facelift?
A SMAS facelift works on the deeper support layer under the skin, not just the skin itself. During surgery, the skin and this deeper layer are treated separately, and the skin is then repositioned over it. There are two common ways this may be done. In SMAS plication, the deeper layer is folded and stitched to help tighten it. In SMASectomy, a small part of that layer is removed and the remaining tissue is tightened. Which method is used depends on the changes being treated and what is considered suitable for the patient.
This approach may be suitable for patients with early to moderate skin laxity and good skin quality, especially when the main concerns are in the lower face and neck. Compared with a deep plane facelift, a SMAS facelift may involve a shorter operation and a faster recovery. A 2025 study also reported a lower overall complication rate for SMAS techniques than for deep plane techniques, at 10.3% compared with 17.2%.
One point to keep in mind is that a SMAS facelift may provide less change through the mid-face. For patients with more noticeable descent through the cheeks or deeper lines beside the nose and mouth, another approach may be more suitable.
What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?
A deep plane facelift works at a deeper level than an SMAS facelift. Instead of treating the skin and deeper support layer separately, both are lifted together as one unit, often called a composite flap. To do this, the facial ligaments that hold the soft tissue in place are carefully released, which allows the cheeks, jawline, and lower face to be repositioned more freely and with less tension on the skin.
Because the lift comes from the deeper facial structure rather than from the skin alone, a deep plane facelift may give a more natural look and a result that lasts longer. It may be suitable for patients with moderate to significant laxity, midface descent, jowls, and more noticeable changes through the lower face and neck. It is also often considered when a SMAS facelift may not provide enough change on its own.
Results may last around 10 to 15 years, although this can vary from patient to patient based on factors such as skin quality, age, lifestyle, and how facial ageing continues over time. Because this is a more complex procedure, it usually takes longer to perform and may involve a longer recovery period.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| SMAS Facelift | Deep Plane Facelift | |
| Surgery time | Shorter | Longer |
| Recovery timeline | Generally 2–3 weeks before returning to normal activity | Generally 3–4 weeks before returning to normal activity |
| Longevity of results | Typically 5–8 years | Typically 10–15 years |
| Ideal candidate | Early to moderate laxity; lower face and neck focus | Moderate to significant laxity; midface descent; comprehensive rejuvenation |
| Complication rate | Approximately 10.3% | Approximately 17.2% |
| Approximate cost range (Sydney) | From approximately $15,000–$25,000 | From approximately $25,000–$40,000 |
Note: Cost ranges are approximate and will vary depending on individual anatomy, the extent of the procedure, anaesthesia, and hospital fees. This can be helpful to keep in mind when comparing SMAS vs deep plane facelift costs. A consultation is required for a personalised quote.
Which Technique Does Dr Hunt Use?
Dr Jeremy Hunt has extensive experience with deep plane facelift surgery and often uses this approach for patients with moderate to significant facial changes. A deep plane facelift allows the deeper facial tissues, including the midface, to be repositioned more fully. As part of this facelift technique comparison, where a patient’s anatomy and goals support it, this is often the technique he recommends.
The most suitable technique can vary from one patient to another. In some cases, a SMAS facelift or a combination of approaches may be considered, depending on where the facial changes are, the condition of the skin, and what the patient is hoping to address. The choice of technique is guided by your anatomy and treatment goals.
During consultation, Dr Hunt discusses these options in detail and provides an honest assessment of what each approach may and may not achieve for your anatomy. If you are considering facelift surgery in Sydney, this consultation is the starting point for understanding which technique may be suitable for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SMAS or deep plane facelift better?
Neither is better for every patient. A 2025 study found higher patient satisfaction with deep plane facelifts, but the most suitable approach depends on your anatomy, the areas being treated, and what level of change is being considered.
How long does a SMAS facelift last compared to a deep plane?
A deep-plane facelift is generally considered to last longer, with results often lasting 10 to 15 years, while SMAS results may not last as long. Even so, longevity can vary based on skin quality, age, lifestyle, and how facial ageing continues over time.
Which facelift technique gives the most natural results?
A deep plane facelift is often chosen when a more natural look is the goal because it repositions deeper facial tissues with less tension on the skin. That said, a natural-looking result also depends on patient selection, surgical planning, and the surgeon’s experience with the technique being used.
Is a deep plane facelift riskier than SMAS?
A deep plane facelift can carry more risk than an SMAS facelift, with a 2025 review reporting complication rates of 17.2% for deep plane techniques and 10.3% for SMAS techniques.
About Dr Hunt
Dr Jeremy Hunt is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years of experience in facial surgery in Sydney. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) and a member of several professional organisations, including the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). His qualifications demonstrate recognised surgical training and professional standards.
Further reading about facelift with Dr Hunt:
- What is a facelift (Rhytidectomy)?
- How much does facelift surgery cost in Sydney?
- How to prepare for face lift surgery?
- What questions to ask your surgeon before a facelift?
- Are there any age restrictions for facelift surgery?
- Does facelift surgery leave scars?
- What is a jowl lift (lower facelift)?
- What can you expect after facelift surgery (day by day)?
- How to reduce bruising and swelling after face lift surgery?
- How to sleep after facelift surgery?
- What should I know about the post-facelift facial massage?
- How to protect your face from the sun after facelift surgery?
- What should you not do after a facelift?
- What procedures can I combine with a facelift?
- How to prepare for a face lift consultation?
- How can lifestyle habits affect face lift results?
- What food to avoid during facelift recovery?
- Can I get a facelift during the summer season?
- What non-surgical treatments can help prolong the results of a facelift?
- Should I consider an upper, mid, or lower facelift?
- Microneedling after a facelift: Should I consider it?
- What is a male facelift, and how is it different from a female facelift?
- What is a revision facelift, and when should you consider one?
- Facelift and fat grafting: Why surgeons combine them?
- What is a ponytail facelift, and is it worth the hype?
Medical references about facelift: