Step 6: Improving Jaw Definition

• Step 1: Facelift Surgery Goals
• Step 2: Making the Incision
• Step 3: Creating a Pocket
• Step 4: Understanding the Layers
• Step 5: Trimming and Tightening
• Step 6: Improving Jaw Definition
• Step 7: Firming the Neck
• Step 8: Removing Extra Skin
• Step 9: Placing Fine Sutures
• Step 10: The Final Result

Our surgeons use fine, dissolvable sutures to sew the edges of the SMAS together (plication) after removing the ellipse (SMASectomy). They perform this plication directly above the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and jowls, which creates a perpendicular pull on these areas. With this maneuver, our plastic surgeons in Denver soften the lines and folds of the lower face and improves the jaw line’s definition. Additionally, placing sutures at the edge of the platysma muscle pulls on the underlying tissues of the neck.

Mini-Facelift vs. Traditional Facelift

Significantly more extensive separation of skin and underlying tissues is involved in a traditional facelift. Thus, when the SMAS is tightened, there is less of a direct effect on the areas of desired improvement (for example, the jowls) because the SMAS is no longer attached to the skin in these regions. Compared to a mini-facelift, the increased invasiveness can actually diminish the effectiveness of SMAS tightening.

Step 7: Firming the Neck