SMAS Facelift vs Reflection Lift: What’s the Difference?

Youthful Reflections Facial Plastic Surgery Center

One of the most popular—and effective—steps to take when considering facelift surgery is to look at a surgeon’s facelift before and after photos. The gallery on our website, for example, includes dozens of photos featuring only a fraction of the more than 3,500 facelift patients Dr. Boggess has treated at his Nashville practice during his career.

Those photos, though, show the results of Dr. Boggess’ comprehensive approach to facelift surgery, combining techniques he’s developed that optimize the outcomes by addressing each patient’s unique anatomy and concerns. The Reflection Lift facelift developed by Dr. Boggess showcases his unique approach to lifting and securing the SMAS, the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (a layer of fibrous tissue that extends from the neck to the forehead and is made up of collagen, elastin fibers, fat cells, and fascia.)

The effects of aging for most facelift patients extend beyond jowls, sagging neck skin, and other issues addressed by a SMAS facelift. That’s because faces tend to age uniformly, rather than one area at a time. In this post, you’ll see examples of facelift before and after photos that include other procedures designed to enhance the results of the Reflection Lift.

What Is a Reflection Lift Facelift?

Performed in an office-based setting using light sedation and local anesthesia, the Reflection Lift eliminates the risks and costs associated with general anesthesia. It is a conservative approach that results in reduced risk of complications and faster recovery compared to traditional facelift surgery. Most patients show no visibly apparent signs of surgery within 1 to 2 weeks, though patients should allow at least 3 to 4 weeks before any important events.

Here are some Reflection Lift before and after photos without additional procedures:

Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 6 Before & After Front | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Reflection Lift Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 6 Before & After Right Side | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Reflection Lift Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 30 Before & After Front | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Reflection Lift Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 30 Before & After Right Side | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Reflection Lift Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 48 Before & After Front | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Reflection Lift Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 48 Before & After Right Side | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Reflection Lift Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 77 Before & After Front | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Reflection Lift Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 77 Before & After Right Side | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Reflection Lift Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 67 Before & After Front | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Reflection Lift Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 67 Before & After Right Side | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Reflection Lift Before & After Photos

Reflection Lift Levels

Each Reflection Lift level addresses the individual patient’s needs:

LEVEL I REFLECTION LIFT

This is a conservative SMAS facelift approach for younger patients that addresses mild to moderate sagging in the jowls and mild sagging in the neck. All properly performed facelift procedures involve some technique for lifting the SMAS to restore a youthful contour to the jawline and neck.

LEVEL II REFLECTION LIFT

This procedure combines a SMAS facelift with liposculpting of the jawline and neck.  It tightens moderate sagging in the jowls and mild to moderate sagging in the neck and removes fat along the jawline and neck.

LEVEL III REFLECTION LIFT

This approach involves a more aggressive mobilization of the SMAS, combined with tightening of the platysma muscle in the midline of the neck and liposculpting of the face and neck.  Dr. Boggess uses this technique if you have moderate to severe sagging in the jowls and neck with associated laxity or banding of the platysma muscle in the front of the neck.

Many men and women who opt for a Level III Reflection Lift often have signs of aging on the upper face and choose to enhance their facelift results with other procedures such as:

Reflection Lift Combined With Eyelid Surgery

Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 27 Before & After Front | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Eyelid Surgery Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 27 Before & After Right Oblique | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Eyelid Surgery Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 12 Before & After Front | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Eyelid Surgery Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 12 Before & After Right Oblique | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Eyelid Surgery Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 49 Before & After Front | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Eyelid Surgery Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 49 Before & After Right Oblique | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Eyelid Surgery Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 113 Before & After Front | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Eyelid Surgery Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 113 Before & After Right Oblique | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Eyelid Surgery Before & After Photos

Reflection Lift Combined With Laser Skin Resurfacing

Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 111 Before & After Front | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Laser Skin Resurfacing Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 111 Before & After Right Oblique | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Laser Skin Resurfacing Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 8 Before & After Front | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Laser Skin Resurfacing Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 8 Before & After Right Oblique | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Laser Skin Resurfacing Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 43 Before & After Front | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Laser Skin Resurfacing Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 43 Before & After Right Oblique | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Laser Skin Resurfacing Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 24 Before & After Front | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Laser Skin Resurfacing Before & After Photos
Facelift / Reflection Lift Case 24 Before & After Right Oblique | Nashville, TN | Youthful Reflections
Dr. Boggess, Facelift/Laser Skin Resurfacing Before & After Photos

Start With a Consultation

If you’re considering a facelift and want a customized, personalized approach that addresses your unique concerns and goals from an experienced, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Nashville, request a consultation with Dr. Boggess using the online form or call us at (615) 942-8016 to schedule an appointment.

Originally published May 2018; Updated April 2024

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We understand you want your facial plastic surgery right away, but this is an instance where patience pays off. Our surgeries are often booked out a few months because Dr. Boggess:

  • Is highly accomplished, and his services are in demand.

  • Takes his time to ensure outstanding safety, care, and results.

  • Offers personalized techniques that aren’t available elsewhere.

We are worth the wait.

Learn more about why the best facial plastic surgeons are worth the wait, and how you can make the most of that time in this blog post.

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