When deciding to undergo Facelift Surgery, it’s important to understand the different techniques offered by your surgeon. Common questions patients ask include “Where will the incisions be?” “How long will the results last?” and “Will it look natural?”. Also, what type of facelifts does Dr. Solomon perform?”
Dr. Philip Solomon is a renowned facelift surgeon who has established a highly regarded practice in Toronto that has become a destination for facelift surgery. Facelift techniques have evolved considerably over the last few decades shifting from a “horizontal” lift to an advanced vertical lift. Dr. Solomon is best known for his advanced technique, the “vertical deep plant facelift”. Your consultation with Dr. Solomon will help provide insight and education into the different options and which technique best suits your needs.
TYPES OF FACELIFTS
DEEP PLANE FACELIFT
The deep plane is a term used to describe a procedure where the face is lifted in a layer of the face below the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), and above the layer of muscles that control facial expression. A deep plane facelift is a powerful procedure that transforms the lower two-thirds of the face to a more youthful, rested, and refreshed appearance. The deep plane facelift reverses the gravity pull that has caused the lower face to fall, causing sagging jowls and jawline and fallen cheeks. The vertical deep plane will reshape the neck, tighten the jawline, and help soften the folds.
Dr. Solomon’s deep plane facelift technique includes the release of ligaments that are tethered to the deep plane layer which allows for a tension-free repositioning of the face. This allows for the fat pads, SMAS, and soft tissue to be relocated vertically. A deep plane facelift creates the most natural result and avoids the old facelift result that could look unnatural or tight.
Included in many of the deep plane facelift procedures, a deep neck lift is incorporated which involves the repositioning of the platysma muscles, removal of deep fatty tissue, and in certain cases, trimming of salivary glands. This combination can create the most dramatic effect on the neck.
SMAS FACELIFT
SMAS is an acronym for superficial musculoaponeurotic system which is the layer that lies below the skin and on top of the muscle that can noticeably show signs of aging. The SMAS facelift technique differs from the deep plane facelift in that it lifts the skin and the SMAS (deeper layer) separately. In patients who have significant solar damage that has resulted in crepe and lax skin, this technique may be preferred to address the skin and SMAS independently.
The disadvantage of the SMAS facelift vs the deep plane facelift is that the surgeon is separating the layers of the face creating thinner and less robust flaps, which can limit the ability of the surgeon to reposition the deeper layers. While Dr. Solomon does perform this procedure for select patients, the majority of his facelifts have shifted towards the deep plane facelift.
MINI FACELIFT
A mini facelift, also known as a short-scar facelift, addresses early changes in the face alone. This procedure is ideal for those who want a lift to the mid-face and a subtle lift to the jawline and don’t require a lift to the neck. The mini-facelift will lift the jowls, and cheeks and soften the nasolabial folds. The incision for the mini-lift is typically well concealed along the tragus of the ear and behind the earlobe. This procedure is quite popular for women who are in their 30s-40s and like to wear their hair up. Dr. Solomon often performs the deep plane technique in his mini-facelifts.
MACS FACELIFT
The MACS facelift is a less invasive option than the SMAS facelift and is ideal for younger patients who still have mild to moderate skin laxity in the mid-face. MACS is an acronym for minimal-access cranial suspension and can be compared to a “surgical thread lift”, where the deeper layers are addressed with sutures alone.
BEST AGE FOR FACELIFT SURGERY
The most common age that we see for facelifts are the late 40’s and early 50’s. There are definite advantages to doing a facelift earlier than later. From a surgical standpoint, it’s easier to address early signs of aging as opposed to more advanced concerns once the muscle and tissue have fallen significantly. It’s also often appealing to look good through your 40s and 50s rather than dramatically changing your appearance with a facelift in your 60s. Sustaining your appearance and feeling confident in your 40s and 50s both socially and in the workplace is often appealing to many.
CHOOSING YOUR FACELIFT SURGEON
Choosing the right facelift surgeon for you is one of the most important aspects of your facelift journey. Dr. Philip Solomon is one of the few surgeons in Canada who performs the vertical extended deep facelift and is sought out for his artistry, extraordinary skill, and expertise with the vertical deep plane facelift. Dr. Solomon has been in practice since 1999 and has performed over one thousand facelifts in his career.
Dr. Solomon is double board certified in Canada and the United States in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, an exclusive and elite designation achieved by only a select number of surgeons in Canada.
Jan 12th 2024