How long does an SMAS facelift last?

This cannot be said across the board and depends heavily on your individual skin ageing and external influences. However, experience shows that the rejuvenating effect lasts for around ten years. After that, a new correction is possible if desired.

Is there an ideal time for an SMAS lift?

Most patients opt for a SMAS facelift from around the age of 50 upwards. The best results can be achieved when the face and neck are already showing clear signs of ageing, but wrinkles have not yet become too deeply embedded in the skin.

Does the SMAS facelift change facial expressions?

No, this is precisely the great advantage and reason why Dr. Nichlos likes to use this technique. Instead of simply “pulling” on the skin as in a classic facelift, the experienced specialist relocates the sagging structures back to their original location. This keeps your facial expression natural.

Can you tell later from my earlobe that I've had a lift?

Improperly performed facelifts can often be recognized by elongated or overgrown earlobes (also known as “pixie ears”). Dr. Nichlos avoids this mistake by using a tension-free suturing technique. As a result, your earlobe retains its natural, round shape.

Can the SMAS facelift be combined with other treatments?

Yes, this is possible and is even an option, as you only have the risk of anesthesia once. The facelift can be combined with a correction of the eyelids (e.g. lacrimal sac surgery, eyelid lift or drooping eyelid removal) or other aesthetic facial surgery treatments.

What are the treatment costs for the surgical procedure?

The costs depend less on the procedure and more on the scope. As this varies greatly, it is not possible to make a general statement in advance. However, after a personal appointment, Dr. Nichlos can provide you with detailed information and draw up a cost plan for you.

SMAS lifting

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Deep-acting facial tightening at Dr. Nichlos – the gold standard for natural results

There is a point in the ageing process of our skin where minimally invasive measures reach their natural limits. Hyaluronic acid can fill wrinkles and temporarily add volume to the face, while Botox can reduce mimic wrinkles. However, fillers are powerless against gravity and the gradual sagging of the tissue and its consequences. A permanent correction of a blurred jawline or “hamster cheeks” is only possible with a facelift.

Dr. Nichlos uses the deep-plane facelift and the SMAS facelift as standard for facelifts. Both variants of the facelift are not limited to tightening the skin, but also involve the underlying connective tissue and muscles. In this way, the age-related sagging of the facial foundation can be lifted, realigned and a very natural appearance achieved. Make an appointment for a consultation now!

What is an SMAS lift?

The SMAS lift is a modern form of facelift which – in contrast to traditional surgery – is not limited to tightening the facial skin, but involves the deeper tissue layer – the so-called SMAS. To better understand what the treatment method is aimed at, it is useful to first learn a little more about the SMAS and its function.

Advantages of an SMAS facelift in Frankfurt

Tightening of the deeper tissue layers of the face

Improvement of the contours in the middle and lower face area

More natural positioning of skin and muscles

Effective correction of sagging cheeks and jawline

Long-term change in age-related tissue sagging

The SMAS lift:
At a glance

Duration

2-4 hours
Typ of anesthesia

General anesthesia
Hospitalization

1 overnight stay
Aftercare

Suture removal after 7-10 days, face bandage for 7 days, lymph drainage, regular check-ups by arrangement
Socially acceptable

after 10 to 14 days
Sport

after 4 weeks
Costs

from 9,000 euros plus anesthesia, clinic, face bandage, costs for 1 overnight stay

Financing

Dr. Nichlos Facharzt für Plastische & Ästhetische Chirurgie

Specialist in SMAS Facelifts in Frankfurt

Dr. Emmanouil Nichlos has specialized in SMAS facelifts for over 17 years and has extensive experience in deep-tissue facial surgery.

By specifically tightening the deeper tissue layers, Dr. Nichlos achieves particularly natural and long-lasting results. During the recovery phase, patients who have recently undergone surgery receive personalized care, and Dr. Nichlos is available at any time, even around the clock, if needed.

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What is the SMAS?

SMAS is the abbreviation for superficial musculo-aponeurotic system. This is a firm layer of connective tissue and muscles that lies under the skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue.

The SMAS serves as a link between the mimic facial muscles and the skin, stabilizes the contours of the neck, cheeks and chin line and acts like a scaffold for your face. The problem: over the years, the layer gives way as the connective tissue fibers in the SMAS become weaker due to the age-related loss of collagen and elastin and can no longer keep the facial features taut. Gravity also plays its part. Typical signs of this are

The cheeks sink downwards (“sagging cheeks”).
The jawline (“Jawline”) loses its distinctive contours.
Marionette lines and nasolabial folds (at the mouth and nose) deepen.
The neck contours and the transition from the chin to the neck become blurred.

How can SMAS lifting help here?

Dr. Nichlos not only tightens the superficial facial skin – as with a normal mini-facelift – but also prepares the sagging tissue including SMAS, repositions it to its original, higher position and fixes it there. Although this is more complex, it leads to a significant rejuvenation of the face and is noticeable, among other things, by the fact that:

the cheek area looks higher and fuller again.
the jaw and chin line appears more defined and firmer.
wrinkles around the mouth and nose are reduced.
the upper neck region looks visibly smoother and firmer.
the face appears fresher and more harmonious overall.

The great advantage of the SMAS facelift is that there is no tension on the skin after the operation. This means that the typical “mask effect” or “wind tunnel look” feared by many patients can be avoided and a very natural tightening of the facial areas can be achieved.

What happens before the SMAS lift?

If you are interested in correcting your facial contours with the innovative SMAS facelift, we would like to invite you to a personal consultation at our practice in Frankfurt. During the personal appointment, Dr. Nichlos will take a look at your face, talk to you about your wishes and explain to you what results can realistically be achieved with the SMAS method. He will then inform you about the exact procedure and the risks and possible complications involved. Of course, you can ask your own questions at any time.

If there are no more questions and you decide to have the operation, we will make an appointment. In most cases, some tests (blood, ECG) and possibly the discontinuation of certain medication (e.g. blood thinners) are necessary beforehand. However, we will explain this to you in more detail during the consultation, as well as how to prepare for the operation (e.g. no nicotine for two weeks beforehand).

SMAS lifting in Frankfurt: How does the operation work?

On the day of the procedure, you will come to the Berger Clinic in Frankfurt. Here, Dr. Nichlos will perform the SMAS facelift in a state-of-the-art operating room. The operation takes about 2 to 4 hours.

After a brief preliminary consultation and preparation, the anesthetist will begin with the induction of anesthesia. Dr. Nichlos uses a general anaesthetic for the face lift. This makes the procedure stress- and pain-free for you and allows the specialist to work very precisely.

As soon as you are asleep, Dr. Nichlos begins to make the incisions to access the SMAS tissue. The incision is made almost invisibly from the hair-covered temple area, runs along the natural crease in front of the ear and ends concealed behind the ear in the hairline. In the next step, he carefully detaches the skin to access the SMAS layer. He then mobilizes it, lifts it and moves it to its original, youthful position, where he then fixes it. If the lifting process results in excess skin or tissue, Dr. Nichlos removes it.

Finally, the specialist sutures the edges of the wound without any tension. This is important so that the result of the lift later looks very natural and not “pulled”. In addition, less tension on the wound results in less pronounced scarring. You will then be given a soft head bandage and taken to the recovery room for observation.

For your safety, Dr. Nichlos plans a one-night stay at the clinic for the SMAS lift. You are in good hands at the Berger Clinic. If the night passes without complications and there is nothing to prevent it after a check-up, you can go home the next day.

What happens after the SMAS facelift?

When you return home after your stay in hospital, you should first allow yourself plenty of rest. Swelling and bruising are completely normal in the first week. Acute pain is rare. As a rule, patients tend to report a feeling of tension around the ears.

After 5 to 7 days, you will come to our practice for a follow-up examination. Dr. Nichlos will take a look at the healing process and take this opportunity to remove the first stitches in front of the ears. The remaining stitches in the hair area will follow after two weeks. This helps to prevent scarring.

Experience shows that you will be socially acceptable 2 to 3 weeks after the facelift. Any remaining bruising will usually have faded to such an extent that it can be easily concealed with make-up. Should any problems arise during this entire period, Dr. Nichlos is always there for you. Simply call our practice or send us a short e-mail.

Important behavioral tips after the SMAS facelift:

Sleep with your upper body elevated for the first day. This promotes the drainage of lymphatic fluid and reduces swelling in the face.
Cool the cheek area carefully and regularly. However, please do not place cold packs directly on the skin, always with a cloth in between.
Avoid sport, sauna and heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks. Any exertion that increases blood pressure has a negative effect on the healing process.
Strictly protect the fresh scars from sunlight. If there is no other option, you should always use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (50+) outdoors.

What risks and complications are associated with an SMAS facelift?

Regardless of the method, facelift surgery is always a complex surgical procedure. Even with the utmost care, the expertise of an experienced doctor like Dr. Nichlos and high standards of hygiene and safety, there is no surgery without risk.

Very rare, but theoretically possible, are complications such as

Post-bleeding
Wound healing disorders
Nerve injuries (e.g. facial nerve)

Normal and harmless side effects of the operation are:

Bruising
Swelling
Tension & numbness

However, these only occur temporarily and subside on their own.

SMAS Facelift in Frankfurt: Costs & Financing

How much does an SMAS facelift cost?

The cost of an SMAS facelift depends on the extent of the facial rejuvenation and the individual’s anatomical characteristics. Since this technique lifts not only the skin but also the underlying tissue structures (SMAS layer), the SMAS facelift is one of the more complex methods of facial rejuvenation.

At our practice in Frankfurt, the cost of an SMAS facelift typically starts at:

SMAS facelift: starting at €9,000

The final price depends on which areas of the face are treated and the extent of the lift. Following a personal consultation, Dr. Nichlos will create a customized treatment and cost plan that clearly summarizes all aspects of the procedure.

What services are included in the price?

The total cost of an SMAS facelift consists of several components. As a rule, the following services are included in the treatment:

detailed consultation (€100 – fully credited toward the subsequent treatment)
individual analysis of facial structure and treatment planning
surgical fee for the procedure
medical care during the operation
post-operative care and follow-up appointments

Since the SMAS facelift is performed in a specialized clinic, additional anesthesia and clinic fees apply.

After the surgery, you will also receive a facial bandage to support the healing process and stabilize the surgical results. As a rule, an overnight stay at the clinic is also scheduled.

Can a SMAS lift be financed?

A facelift is a long-term decision. That is why financing in monthly installments is also available for a SMAS lift.

Financing is provided through an experienced financing partner and can be individually tailored to your personal financial situation. This allows you to conveniently pay for the treatment in monthly installments.

We would be happy to inform you about the requirements and the financing process during a consultation.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
about the SMAS facelift:

How long does an SMAS facelift last?
This cannot be said across the board and depends heavily on your individual skin ageing and external influences. However, experience shows that the rejuvenating effect lasts for around ten years. After that, a new correction is possible if desired.
Is there an ideal time for an SMAS lift?
Most patients opt for a SMAS facelift from around the age of 50 upwards. The best results can be achieved when the face and neck are already showing clear signs of ageing, but wrinkles have not yet become too deeply embedded in the skin.
Does the SMAS facelift change facial expressions?
No, this is precisely the great advantage and reason why Dr. Nichlos likes to use this technique. Instead of simply “pulling” on the skin as in a classic facelift, the experienced specialist relocates the sagging structures back to their original location. This keeps your facial expression natural.
Can you tell later from my earlobe that I've had a lift?
Improperly performed facelifts can often be recognized by elongated or overgrown earlobes (also known as “pixie ears”). Dr. Nichlos avoids this mistake by using a tension-free suturing technique. As a result, your earlobe retains its natural, round shape.
Can the SMAS facelift be combined with other treatments?
Yes, this is possible and is even an option, as you only have the risk of anesthesia once. The facelift can be combined with a correction of the eyelids (e.g. lacrimal sac surgery, eyelid lift or drooping eyelid removal) or other aesthetic facial surgery treatments.
What are the treatment costs for the surgical procedure?
The costs depend less on the procedure and more on the scope. As this varies greatly, it is not possible to make a general statement in advance. However, after a personal appointment, Dr. Nichlos can provide you with detailed information and draw up a cost plan for you.

About the Author

Dr. Emmanouil Nichlos, MD, is a board-certified plastic and aesthetic surgeon in Frankfurt who has specialized in SMAS facelifts and complex aesthetic facial surgery procedures for over 17 years.

All content on this page has been personally reviewed by him and complies with current medical standards in plastic and aesthetic surgery.

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Are you bothered by increasingly sagging skin, especially in the chin and cheek area? SMAS facelifting is an effective treatment method with which Dr. Nichlos can achieve a visible improvement and rejuvenation of your appearance. The goal is your long-term satisfaction when you look in the mirror. Arrange your personal consultation now!

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SMAS lifting

Deep-acting facial tightening at Dr. Nichlos – the gold standard for natural results

What is an SMAS lift?

Advantages of an SMAS facelift in Frankfurt

Table of contents

The SMAS lift:
At a glance

Duration

Typ of anesthesia

Hospitalization

Aftercare

Socially acceptable

Sport

Costs