The vast majority of women strive to have not only a good figure, but an attractive appearance that makes it possible to look several years younger. And this desire is quite natural. However, age-related changes are inevitable. At the same time, they affect not only the skin of the face, but also the connective-muscular structures. As a result, bags appear under the eyes, spoils the appearance of the second chin, and nasolabial folds become pronounced. What to do in this case?
Today, SMAS-lifting helps a woman beat time. Reviews of this procedure indicate that it is one of the most popular methods of tightening. With the help of SMAS facelift, the face is simply transformed and looks much younger.
Current issue
Many women who have reached the age of 45 are concerned about the possibility of returning elastic and smooth facial skin, as well as its clear contours. And today this question can be answered positively.answer. The latest revolutionary method used by plastic surgeons, the SMAS-lift, allows literally all soft tissues to be lifted.
These specialists have been familiar with the anatomical structure of the skin for a long time. However, only in 1976 was the most detailed description of the superficial muscular-aponeurotic subcutaneous superficial system (Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System) obtained. It was then that the term itself was proposed, which is an abbreviation of this name - SMAS. Today, plastic surgeons are actively mastering and improving a method that allows you to restore youth to the face, turning back the clock. And it is so effective that it is becoming more and more popular with cosmetic patients.
The essence of the method
In order to understand SMAS-lifting - what it is, you will need to make a short digression into the anatomy. SMAS is nothing more than a muscular system connecting the dermis and muscles. It is located directly under the skin in the layers of subcutaneous fat. SMAS on the face is located in three zones. These are the areas near the ears, on the neck and on the cheeks. One of the functions of this system is the normal functioning of mimic muscles.
The SMAS weakens over time. This is the reason why the following is formed:
- small wrinkles on the surface of the neck;
- second chin;
- lowering of the upper eyelid area;
- bags under the eyes;
- nasolabial folds;- the so-called bulldog cheeks.
All these changes can eliminate SMAS-lifting. AtDuring the operation, the plastic surgeon, in addition to the skin layer and subcutaneous fat tissues, affects the deeper layers. This allows him to eliminate any age-related changes.
What is the result of SMAS-lifting? Reviews of patients claim that after such a surgical intervention, the appearance does not undergo drastic changes. The cut of the eyes and the line of the mouth remain the same. The technique refreshes and tightens the contours of the face, returns it to its former oval without obtaining the effect of stretched skin. At the same time, all formed folds and wrinkles are eliminated.
Indications
Who is recommended facelift with SMAS-lifting? A similar procedure is performed for those patients who have obvious signs of skin aging. Their list includes:
- peeling and dryness of the skin;
- the appearance of pigmentation;
- thickening of the skin layers, for example, as a result of a regular or chronic inflammatory process in the tissues;
- loss of tone;
- the formation of skin creases;- the appearance of spider veins (telangiectasia).
Before the procedure, you must consult a qualified specialist. Only the opinion of a doctor will help determine the need for such a lifting, as well as identify the method of exposure that will be most effective.
There are several methods of this direction. So, SMAS-lifting happens:
- classical;
- endoscopic;
- ultrasonic;- hardware.
Let's take a closer look at them.
Classic method
Facelift using SMAS-lifting in this way is the most traumatic. This is an operating method that is carried out with the help of surgical intervention. To carry out all the necessary manipulations, careful preparation of the patient is required. The operation itself takes two to three hours. The patient is under general anesthesia. And despite the fact that after a long rehabilitation period is required, many still decide to use this method. After all, the effect of it is the longest - from 10 to 15 years. But even after this period, patients continue to look much younger than their age. The technique is recommended for patients over forty years of age.
Classic SMAS lifting - what is it? This is an operation during which the surgeon makes an incision. The scalpel starts its journey in the temple area. Then it passes along the face to the earlobe and ends with the area behind the ear. All this is a natural crease line.
Through the resulting incision, the surgeon peels off the upper part of the skin, separates the SMAS layer and tightens it. Excess tissue during the operation is subject to excision. If necessary, a specialist can perform liposuction. Next, the surface layer of the skin, which was given a new position, is subject to fixation. After the stitches are applied. The surgeon masks them along the hairline.
In addition to the surgical technique of detachment, a specialist can perform suturing of the musculoaponeurotic system in superficiallayers of skin. How is this SMAS lifting different? Feedback from specialists and patients suggests that such an operation not only corrects the oval of the face, but also adds the missing volume in the cheekbones. This effect is most preferable for patients with thin faces. This surgical technique is less traumatic, which reduces the risk of complications.
Rehabilitation period
After the operation (SMAS-lifting) was performed, the patient must spend at least two days in the hospital. All this time, specialists are monitoring the state of his he alth. At least 3-4 days it is necessary to wear a supporting bandage. Stitches can only be removed after two weeks.
Classic SMAS-lifting has a rather long recovery period. Reviews of experts say that it will take about two months. This time is necessary for the restoration of damaged muscles and tissues, as well as the resorption of hematomas.
In order for the postoperative period to pass without complications, the use of chilled compresses and antibiotics is recommended. The patient should not lower his head low, otherwise edema may occur. It is forbidden to drink alcohol, smoke, and visit the sauna and bath.
What other recommendations are given to those patients who underwent SMAS-lifting? Rehab will take place with minimal risk of side effects if:
- while resting, the patient's head will be elevated, which will reduce swelling of the face;-the person will not receive intense physical activity.
For faster healing of stitches, the doctor prescribes physiotherapy. A course of injections is also required with the use of special preparations that promote skin contraction.
Contraindications
When is SMAS facelift not performed? It is not recommended in the presence of the following:
- diabetes;
- pregnancy;
- bleeding disorders;
- cancer;- heart disease.
What other contraindications does SMAS lifting have? The technique is not applicable to patients with an acute form of infectious diseases, as well as in case of a predisposition to the formation of keloid scars.
To determine the possibility of an operation, the surgeon offers the person who applied to the clinic to pass a series of tests and undergo the necessary examination. This allows you to evaluate and identify any risks that may arise after a facelift. In addition, two weeks before the scheduled procedure, the patient should stop taking vitamins, nutritional supplements and drugs that help thin the blood, as well as smoking.
Side effects
Possible complications after SMAS-lifting should be announced by the surgeon even before the surgical technique. Negative consequences can be swelling of the tissues, as well as the appearance of bruises and hematomas. Sometimes in patients after surgery in the corrected areas there is a loss of sensitivity. There are also cases of rejectionindividual areas of the skin on the face.
SMAS-lift carries the risk of some other complications. Among them are:
- infection;
- formation of rather noticeable scars;
- long healing of the skin;
- asymmetry of the face and damage to its main nerve;
- hair loss at incision sites;- change in general facial features.
In order to have as few postoperative complications as possible, it is recommended to carefully select a specialist who will be involved in the facelift procedure. According to the feedback of patients, as well as based on the results they obtained, it becomes clear that a competent surgeon is able to make a person twenty years younger. Moreover, after such an operation, the rehabilitation period will be painless and comfortable.
Cost
How much do you need to pay for a classic SMAS facelift? The price of this procedure is quite high. But at the same time, it depends on the region in which the clinic is located, its pricing policy, as well as on the volume of surgical intervention.
For example, in Moscow, patients will need to pay from 25.5 to 500 thousand rubles for SMAS-lifting, and from 60 to 450 thousand rubles in St. Petersburg.
Photos of patients before and after SMAS-lifting are a clear confirmation that this money will not be thrown away. They will be a pretty good investment in their own appearance and will fully justify themselves. It should be borne in mind that the classical operation onSMAS-lifting can be done only once in a person's life.
Endoscopic method
This method is less traumatic than the classical one, as it is minimally invasive. The duration of the operation is up to three and a half hours. It is performed under general combined anesthesia. For such an operation, the patient will need to pay from one hundred and twenty thousand rubles.
The entire rejuvenation procedure does not require scalpel incisions. Surgical intervention is carried out through small punctures that a specialist makes in the temporal region of the scalp. It is into them that the doctor introduces an endoscope equipped with a video camera. At the same time, a picture transmitted by such a device appears on the monitor screen. With the help of an endoscope, the surgeon makes a detachment of the skin tissue and highlights the CMAS structure, fixing it in a new, more tightened position. At the end of the operation, sutures are applied and then carefully masked. As for the principle of this method and the recovery period, in all other respects it is similar to the classical method described above.
According to experts and patients, the effect after such an operation is shorter and ranges from 3 to 5 years. That is why it is indicated for people who have only slight signs of sagging and aging skin. The average age of such patients is 40 years.
After the surgery, a compression bandage is applied to the face. The patient will have to spend almost two days in the hospital to be under the supervision of a doctor. Seams specialistsfilmed a little later. This will happen on the fifth day. After about two weeks, hematomas and bruises will resolve. Starting from the third day after the operation, the doctor can prescribe a course of massage. This will significantly speed up the recovery process. The maximum effect after such an operation will come no earlier than in a month and a half.
The positive aspects of such a SMAS-lifting are as follows:
- minimal, easily camouflaged incisions;
- no risk of tissue numbness, as well as hair loss in the puncture area;
- long-term rejuvenating effect;
- no significant hematomas and edema;
- minimal risk of damage to the facial nerve;- the possibility of re-operation.
The disadvantages of this method include its high price, as well as the fact that it is indicated for patients with only the first or second stage of aging.
Ultrasonic method
This non-surgical lifting allows you to achieve the desired result after just one procedure. To maintain the effect obtained, repeated sessions should be carried out. At the same time, it is enough to visit a beauty salon once every two to three years. The duration of such a procedure is 30-60 minutes.
The essence of the ultrasonic SMAS procedure is the impact of pulses that penetrate the skin layers to a depth of up to five millimeters. At the same time, ultrasonic waves heat the tissues. There is a contraction of muscle and collagen fibers. The processes of synthesis of important components of skin youth - elastin andcollagen. As a result of exposure to ultrasonic pulses, the tone of the SMAS system is restored, which contributes to the tightening of adipose tissue and skin.
This procedure is characterized by an increasing result. It means a gradual solution to the problem, which takes from five to six months. However, according to patients, a positive visual effect becomes noticeable after the end of the manipulations.
The main indication for the procedure is the omission of the soft tissues of the face and neck. The optimal age for applying this method is the period up to 50 years.
The use of ultrasonic method is not allowed in the following cases:
- an installed pacemaker;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- the presence of metal implants in the affected area;
- pathology of the nervous system;
- endocrine diseases;
- the presence of abscesses in the treatment area;
- oncology;- diseases of a systemic nature.
Among the advantages of ultrasonic SMAS-lifting, one can single out its more gentle effect, as well as the absence of scars and a short rehabilitation period. Among the disadvantages is its high price (from 40 to 150 thousand rubles), and also redness of the skin, which disappear after a couple of hours, and swelling that persists for 2 days.
Hardware method
This is another non-surgical SMAS facelift. This procedure is performed using the Altera apparatus. Its essence is that the deviceheat waves are generated that penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin. The patient receives the desired result after the first procedure. The effect of hardware exposure is maintained for one year. The cost of a session, depending on the clinic and the area of influence, ranges from 30 to 110 thousand rubles.
