Types of Facelift
From the deep plane facelift to short-scar mini lifts, the surgical options explained in plain English — with the trade-offs made clear.
One operation, many approaches
‘Facelift’ is an umbrella term for several distinct operations. They differ in how deep the surgeon works, how much tissue is released and repositioned, where the scars sit, and how long the result lasts. The right choice depends on your anatomy and goals — not on whichever technique a clinic happens to promote.
In this section
Deep Plane Facelift
Releases the retaining ligaments and lifts skin and SMAS as one — the gold standard for natural, lasting results.
Read →SMAS Facelift
The workhorse technique: tightening the SMAS layer beneath the skin.
Read →Extended SMAS
A wider SMAS dissection for greater midface and jawline correction.
Read →Mini Facelift
A shorter-scar lift for early jowling in younger patients.
Read →MACS Lift
Minimal access cranial suspension — vertical lift using purse-string sutures.
Read →Mid-Facelift
Targets the cheeks and under-eye area rather than the jawline.
Read →Lower Facelift
Focused on jowls and the jawline, the most commonly requested area.
Read →Neck Lift
Tightens the platysma and removes neck laxity, often with a facelift.
Read →Subperiosteal Facelift
A deeper lift at the bone level for the midface and orbit.
Read →Skin-Only Facelift
The original technique — and why it is now largely outdated.
Read →Plication vs Deep Plane
The key distinction between the two main families of facelift.
Read →Thread Lift (Compared)
A non-surgical alternative — what it can and cannot match.
Read →It is about the layer, not the brand
Clinics market dozens of trademarked ‘signature’ lifts, but almost all facelifts fall into a few families defined by which tissue layer is repositioned and how far the surgeon dissects. A skin-only lift moves skin alone; SMAS techniques tighten the muscular layer beneath; deep plane techniques release the ligaments and move skin and SMAS together. Understanding these distinctions cuts through the marketing.
The single most useful question to ask a surgeon is not the name of their lift, but which layer they work on and whether they release the retaining ligaments. That tells you far more about how natural and durable the result will be.
Not sure where to start?
The complete facelift guide walks you through ageing, candidacy and the consultation before you compare techniques.