SMAS lifting: what is it and how is it carried out?

Many women pay tribute to fashion and try to be attractive and fit, striving to maintain the freshness and youthfulness of their skin as long as possible. However, no matter how a person takes care of himself, a time comes when he is faced with the first signs of aging. Gradually, the muscles of the face lose their elasticity, which is why soft tissues go down, wrinkles, bags under the eyes and pronounced nasolabial folds appear. To effectively eliminate these age-related changes, a hardware cosmetology procedure was created - SMAS lifting.

Various methods of rejuvenation from year to year do not lose their popularity. The prevalence of such procedures is due to the desire of most women to extend their youth or to return freshness to a withering person. A traditional surgical lift helps to quickly cope with age-related changes, but it has a number of significant disadvantages. Often for this reason, customers prefer non-operational technologies. One of them includes hardware SMAS lifting.

This procedure is a non-surgical technique, which is based on ultrasonic action on the subcutaneous integument and upper layers of the dermis. Unlike existing hardware methods of tightening, this method allows you to act on the lower muscle aponeurotic layer (SMAS system). At the same time, the depth of the waves is regulated by the cosmetologist, due to which thermal energy is sent to the desired subcutaneous layer.

When exposed to the skin of the face and neck, ultrasonic waves do not injure tissue, thereby eliminating the risks of infectious complications.The principle of action of ultrasound is simple: during the operation of the apparatus, the subcutaneous layers are heated, therefore, the natural production of collagen and elastin is activated. Due to the formation of new cells, a rejuvenation effect is observed.

Non-surgical ultrasonic lifting is an innovative procedure. Against the background of other rejuvenation techniques, it is distinguished by a large number of advantages and positive customer reviews.

We note its main advantages:

• the ability to tighten any subcutaneous layers;
• the ability to choose the depth of exposure depending on the condition of the skin;
• speed and painlessness of the session;
• the ability to correct the entire face and neck, as well as individual, the most problematic areas;
• lack of a rehabilitation period after a rejuvenation session;
• getting a positive effect after the first procedure;
• the ability to carry out a lift at any time of the year, regardless of skin type;
• elimination of the risks of scars, scars and other defects on the surface of the skin;
• "Cumulative" effect, lasting for several months after the procedure;
• the possibility of combination with other cosmetic methods of rejuvenation (mesotherapy, biorevitalization, microdermabrasion, the introduction of fillers, injections with Botox);
• the safety of ultrasonic waves for all organs and systems of the body.

Unfortunately, SMAS lifting cannot be called an ideal salon procedure. Like all methods, it has some disadvantages. First of all, the minuses include the cost. The prices in the prices for this lifting are higher than for other types of suspenders. Some salons periodically offer promotions for ultrasonic exposure, which allows you to get a session at a reduced cost.

Another disadvantage is low efficiency for people over 50. The fact is that after 50 years, collagen begins to be produced in small quantities even when exposed to laser devices. The disadvantages also include the risks of hematomas due to soft tissue hemorrhage and the presence of contraindications.

SMAS lifting is indicated for men and women over the age of 40. However, due to the fact that deep changes in tissues can occur at an earlier age, the procedure can be performed at 35. To determine whether to resort to ultrasound lifting or can do with other methods of rejuvenation, you need to consult a cosmetologist.

Ultrasonic lifting will bring effect in the following groups of people:

• for those who did a hardware or surgical lift and want to fix or improve the result;
• those who want to improve the condition of the skin, but do not want to expose themselves to surgery.

Among the main indications for the procedure, cosmetologists note the following:

• sagging skin of the face and neck, which has lost tone and elasticity;
• facial wrinkles;
• sagging upper eyelids;
• uneven skin color, the formation of age-related age spots, traces of post-acne;
• pronounced nasolabial folds;
• fuzzy facial contours;
• lowered corners of the lips;
• fine wrinkles and deep folds all over the face.

Despite its effectiveness and painlessness, SMAS lifting has some limitations.

It is contraindicated:

• pregnant and lactating women;
• persons with a pacemaker or implanted metal implants (the presence of dentures is allowed);
• with diseases of the nervous system (epilepsy);
• with various diseases of the endocrine system;
• people with high blood sugar;
• with acne;
• with poor blood coagulability;
• persons with heart and cardiovascular diseases;
• patients under 35 years old.

There are several types of SMAS lifting. The most common is considered a hardware technique with exposure to ultrasound. The procedure can be completed both in beauty salons and in some clinics specializing in plastic surgery.

Often when lifting the face and neck, the following equipment is used.

1. Hifu. The device is American-made. It functions with the help of upper, middle and deep impulses, acting on various layers of the dermis (from 1.5 to 4.5 mm). This device is used both to eliminate weak and strongly pronounced age-related changes, and to tighten saggy skin after a sharp weight loss.
2. Doublo System. Korean technology, characterized by high radiation power, high efficiency and affordable cost. Due to the cheapness of the equipment and consumables, Doublo devices are most common among Russian beauty salons.
3. Ultraformer. The device is from South Korea. A new generation device with the ability to work with focused micro and macro ultrasound waves. The equipment is equipped with a wide range of cartridges from 1.5 to 13 mm.

In addition to hardware, there is surgical SMAS-lifting. It is less popular than ultrasound because it has serious complications. This method is an operative measure. It is performed by a doctor in a clinic and lasts at least 3 hours. During the procedure, the patient is under anesthesia.

The doctor makes a deep incision over the ear with a scalpel, gently separates the subcutaneous SMAS layer and fixes it in a certain position. If necessary, the doctor can make an excision of excess tissue. The operation ends by pulling the upper skin and fixing them. Rehabilitation after surgery is at least a month, and for the first few days the patient remains in the hospital for observation by specialists.

The procedure for ultrasonic facelift begins with preparation. The cosmetologist cleanses the skin from makeup and natural impurities, and then applies an anesthetic. After 20 minutes, the anesthetic is washed off, the face is wiped with an antiseptic (chlorhexidine is most often used). After these actions, the doctor draws a marking on the skin, which will be exposed to the apparatus, and applies a special gel. It is designed for better penetration of ultrasonic waves into the deeper layers and for easier sliding of the nozzle of the ultrasonic device.

When working with the device, the cosmetologist uses two or three sensors, processing several layers of tissue at a time. The doctor applies and moves the nozzle of the ultrasound device strictly according to the marking. At the same time, all layers of the dermis are displayed on the screen of the device: skin, fatty tissue and muscle aponeurotic layer. Thanks to the information displayed on the monitor, the cosmetologist precisely directs the radiation flux, setting the optimal depth of wave penetration.

Under the influence of ultrasonic radiation, thermal coagulation is carried out. The duration of the session takes from 0.5 to 1.5 hours (time directly depends on the skin condition of the client). During the procedure, the patient feels a slight tingling or burning sensation.With an increase in pain, the power of ultrasound waves decreases to reduce the risks of complications.

After the session, the remnants of the antiseptic are removed, moisturizing and nourishing cream is applied to the treated skin.

Due to the fact that during the procedure there is no violation of the integrity of the skin, the patient does not need time for rehabilitation. Complete restoration of the integument usually occurs a few days after the lift. During this period, it is important to properly care for the face or neck.

If the procedure is performed in the summer, it is necessary to use sunscreens for one month.

Also, during the week, cosmetologists do not recommend:

• use abrasive particles (scrubs) to clean the skin;
• wash yourself with hot water: cool is better for these purposes;
• engage in exercises, sports and other types of physical activity (strictly avoid inclines);
• go to baths and saunas;
• during the first days to use decorative cosmetics;
• Massage areas affected by hardware
• take drugs that affect blood coagulation;
• drink alcohol
• sunbathing in a natural way or in a solarium;
• use a hairdryer.

The effect of the conduction will be visible immediately after the tightening session and over time it will only increase.

The result of a circular ultrasonic facelift is:

• elimination of roughness and tuberosity of the skin in the forehead;
• smoothing of vertical and horizontal wrinkles;
• elimination of facial wrinkles (“crow's feet” in the eye area) and nasolabial folds;
• cheek lifting.

After patient surveys, statistics were compiled according to which a positive effect was observed in 90% of cases after SMAS lifting. However, 10% did not reveal any changes. Of all the clients who resorted to hardware rejuvenation, only 5% encountered “side effects”.

They noted the following.

1. Weak or pronounced pain in the affected areas. In some people, they arose on their own, in others - with light pressure on the skin. In most cases, these side effects disappear within 4 weeks.
2. Decreased tissue sensitivity. Basically, partial numbness disappears on its own in 5-7 days.
3. The formation of swelling of the treated areas, a burning sensation and redness of the entire face or individual areas. Such effects most often occur in people with sensitive skin type.

The most serious complication is the formation of point scars. They can be a serious obstacle to subsequent rejuvenation procedures. Scarring is usually experienced by people with a predisposition to hypertrophic proliferation of connective tissue.

Ultrasonic face correction is performed once. The procedure can be repeated only after 2-3 years. If you provide daily thorough skin care, repeated SMAS rejuvenation may be required only after 5-10 years.

It is worth abandoning this type of lifting for people over 50 years old. The fact is that at this age the skin begins to contract poorly, which is why clients of cosmetology clinics may not notice the result. This fact is confirmed by the negative reviews of many people who turned 50.

Space lifting is better for these people. This is an operative measure taking place under general anesthesia. It consists in lifting the spaces (intermuscular voids filled with adipose tissue). It can eliminate sagging cheeks, chin, nasolabial folds and relieve other signs of aging.

Modern beauty salons and clinics specializing in plastic surgery offer many types of suspenders. A large number of different procedures are highly advertised, which is why many people find it difficult to find a really worthwhile option for rejuvenation. To help determine the decision whether to do SMAS-lifting, reviews of patients who have experienced the procedure on themselves, revealed its effectiveness, advantages and disadvantages, will help.

Responses to ultrasonic lifting are highly controversial. People who decide on the hardware impact, note strong pain when processing problem areas. This is understandable: anesthetic gel is able to “freeze” only the upper layers of the skin, while ultrasound acts in the depths of the dermis. Most note pain after the procedure, especially in the area around the eyes. Unpleasant sensations last for a month.

The disadvantages of this method of rejuvenation, people attribute poor performance. In appearance and touch, the skin becomes smoother, firmer and toned, however, facial wrinkles and shallow folds do not completely disappear. Also, SMAS lifting is an expensive procedure. It will be very expensive, especially if you act immediately on the whole face and neck, and not on individual areas.

Among the benefits, people distinguish the following:

• security;
• lack of rehabilitation (because of this feature, for many SMAS lifting has become a “weekend procedure”);
• skin transformation;
• getting rid of age spots.

In order not to encounter the provision of low-quality services, you should avoid unverified beauty salons offering a facelift at low prices. In most cases, the final result and its duration will depend on the competence and experience of the specialist, as well as on the equipment with which the lift is performed. In order not to be disappointed in SMAS lifting, it is advisable to take seriously the choice of a salon and a cosmetologist, and not rely on the cheapness of the services provided.

See more in the next video about SMAS lifting.