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Facelift in Valencia
FACIAL SURGERY

Facelift in Valencia

The Ultimate Guide to Deep Plane and SMAS Facelifts in Valencia, with Dr. Alberto Sánchez García

Facial aging is a natural process, but the way we choose to address it has evolved drastically. Gone are the days of overly stretched or “frozen” faces. Today, facial plastic surgery seeks natural, long-lasting, and harmonious results. If you are looking to rejuvenate your face and restore its lost freshness, a facelift is the gold standard.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about the SMAS Facelift, Deep Plane Facelift, and Mini Facelift. If you reside in Valencia, Castellón, Alicante, Cuenca, Albacete, or Teruel, you are in the right place to take the next step towards your best version with Dr. Alberto Sánchez García, a leading plastic surgeon in eastern Spain.

Why Choose Dr. Alberto Sánchez García for Your Facelift in Valencia?

Facial surgery does not forgive mistakes. Unlike body contouring, the face is our letter of introduction to the world. It requires pinpoint precision, profound anatomical knowledge, and a flawless aesthetic sense.

Dr. Alberto Sánchez García has established himself as a leading plastic surgeon in Valencia. Patients from all over the Valencian Community, as well as Castellón, Alicante, Albacete, Cuenca, and Teruel, come to his practice seeking his expertise in advanced plastic surgery techniques. His philosophy is based on repositioning sagging tissues from their anatomical foundations, not simply pulling the skin, thus guaranteeing results that take years off without altering the patient’s identity.

If you are looking for the best plastic surgeon in Valencia for a facelift, this guide we have prepared can provide you with the necessary information to make an informed decision.

The Anatomy of Facial Aging

To understand why there are different types of facelifts, we must first understand how we age. The face doesn’t age simply because the skin loses elasticity. Aging occurs in multiple layers:

Skin
Loses collagen and elastin, becoming thinner and more prone to wrinkles.
Subcutaneous fat
The fat compartments of the face atrophy in some areas (like the cheeks) and sag into others (forming a double chin or deep nasolabial folds).
Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System (SMAS)
This is a fibrous network that connects facial muscles to the skin. Over the years, the SMAS yields to gravity, causing the structural sagging of the face.
Retaining ligaments and bone
The ligaments supporting the tissues stretch, and the bone structure undergoes some resorption.

A modern and effective facelift does not pull the skin; it repositions the SMAS and the deep anatomical structures.

Types of Facelift: SMAS, Deep Plane, and Mini Facelift

By Dr. Alberto Sánchez García, your plastic surgeon in Valencia.

Dr. Alberto Sánchez García evaluates each face in a personalized way to determine which technique will offer the best result. Below, we detail the three main procedures.

Types of facelift
01

Mini Facelift (Short Scar Facelift or MACS Lift)

The Mini Facelift is an excellent option for younger patients who are starting to notice the first signs of sagging but still retain good skin elasticity in the neck.
- What does it involve? A shorter incision is made, generally limited to the front of the ear (without extending behind it). Through this incision, the SMAS is tightened vertically, and moderate excess skin is removed.
- Advantages: Shorter surgical time, shorter scars, and a faster recovery.
- Ideal for: Mild to moderate sagging in the lower third of the face and the jawline (jowls), without severe neck sagging.
02

SMAS Facelift (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System)

The SMAS Facelift has been the standard in facial surgery for decades. It works on the layer of tissue that envelopes the facial muscles.
- What does it involve? After making the incisions (around the ear and into the hairline), the surgeon elevates the skin to expose the SMAS. Then, the SMAS is manipulated in various ways: it can be folded over itself (plication), cut and overlapped (imbrication), or a portion can be removed (SMASectomy) to tighten it. Once the deep structure is firm, the skin is gently redraped, and the excess is trimmed.
- Advantages: Offers long-lasting and very natural results, since the tension is supported by the SMAS and not the skin. Significantly improves the neck and jawline.
- Ideal for: Patients with moderate to severe aging who need a complete restructuring of the mid and lower third of the face and the neck.
03

Deep Plane Facelift

The Deep Plane Facelift is the most advanced, complex, and revolutionary technique in current facial rejuvenation. Dr. Alberto Sánchez García is highly specialized in performing this technique.
- What does it involve? Unlike the SMAS facelift, where the skin is separated from the SMAS, in the Deep Plane, the surgeon enters beneath the SMAS layer. The retaining ligaments (zygomatic, masseteric, and mandibular) that anchor the tissues to the bone are released. By freeing these ligaments, the entire unit of skin, fat, and muscle can be lifted and repositioned as a single block, without surface tension.
- Advantages:
- Ultra-natural results: By not separating the skin from its muscular base, the risk of the "pulled" or "windblown" look of older facelifts is completely eliminated.
- Midface improvement: It is the only technique that effectively lifts sagging cheekbones and directly softens deep nasolabial folds.
- Durability: By repositioning the tissues from the base and without tension, the results are significantly longer-lasting (10-15 years or more).
- Ideal for: Patients with advanced aging, heavy faces, severe volume loss in the cheeks, and very saggy necks.

Indications for a Facelift in Valencia: Which is ideal for you?

The choice of technique does not depend on the patient’s age, but on their anatomy, tissue quality, and degree of facial aging. During your consultation in Valencia with Dr. Alberto Sánchez García, factors such as the degree of sagging, the areas of greatest impact, recovery time, and your preferred scar length will be evaluated.

Expert’s Note: Many patients from Castellón, Alicante, or Albacete travel seeking a Mini Facelift thinking it is “less surgery”, but if the main problem lies in the neck or very droopy cheeks, a Mini Facelift will be insufficient. The Deep Plane Facelift, although it sounds more invasive, often has a less painful recovery with less bruising because the dissection is done in an avascular plane (without major blood vessels).

Facelift in a man

Technical Details of the Surgery

By Dr. Alberto Sánchez García, your plastic surgeon in Valencia.

The surgical process with Dr. Alberto Sánchez García follows the strictest medical safety standards.

Anaesthesia
Performed under general anaesthesia or deep sedation with local anaesthesia, depending on the extent of the surgery and the preferences of the patient and anaesthesiologist.
Incisions
Strategically designed to remain hidden. They start in the hairline at the temples, go down following the border of the ear (hiding in the cartilage of the tragus), and, if the neck needs to be treated, extend behind the earlobe into the posterior scalp.
Dissection and Repositioning
Depending on the technique (SMAS or Deep Plane), the deep tissues are manipulated. In the Deep Plane, ligaments are released, and the face is lifted as a single block.
Neck Treatment
A neck lift is frequently associated. Through a small incision under the chin, the neck muscles (platysma) that have separated with age are joined, creating an internal "corset" that defines the cervicomandibular angle.
Closure
The skin is redraped without tension. Very fine sutures are used to minimize scarring.

Recovery and Postoperative Care

Recovery is a crucial phase. Dr. Alberto Sánchez García’s team in Valencia will accompany you every step of the way.

Facelift in a woman
First 3 days
These are the days of maximum swelling. It is normal for the face to feel tight. Relative rest with the head elevated is recommended. It is not usually a very painful surgery; discomfort is well controlled with common painkillers.
1 Week
Most of the stitches are removed. The skin may be slightly yellowish, and swelling descends slightly towards the neck due to gravity. Many patients already feel comfortable working from home.
2 Weeks
Major swelling has gone down significantly (around 70-80%). With a little makeup, most patients can resume their public social and work life.
1 Month
The face begins to look natural. Scars are pink but well hidden. Intense physical exercise can be resumed.
6 Months onwards
Final result. Tissues settle, residual swelling disappears, and scars become almost imperceptible white lines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about facelifts in Valencia

Answered by Dr. Alberto Sánchez García, your plastic surgeon in Valencia.

For patients seeking detailed information from Valencia, Castellón, Cuenca, Alicante, Albacete, or Teruel, we have compiled the most common questions in Dr. Alberto Sánchez García’s consultation regarding the facelift and mini facelift in Valencia:

At what age is a facelift recommended?

There is no exact age. It depends on genetics and lifestyle. Most patients in Valencia undergo surgery between the ages of 45 and 65, but the determining factor is the presence of structural sagging that no longer responds to non-surgical aesthetic treatments.

How long do the results of a facelift last?

A facelift does not stop the clock, but it sets it back significantly. A Mini Facelift can last 5 to 7 years, a SMAS Facelift about 10 years, and a Deep Plane Facelift can last 10 to 15 years or more. The tissue will continue to age, but you will always look better than if you had not had the surgery.

Will I end up with a "windblown" or surprised look?

That is the result of older techniques that only pulled the skin. Modern techniques (SMAS and Deep Plane) reposition the muscles and deep fat. The skin simply rests on the new structure, guaranteeing a natural result without altering your features.

Are the scars very visible?

Dr. Alberto Sánchez García, your plastic surgeon in Valencia, is meticulous in the placement of incisions. They are hidden in the natural contours of the ear and within the hairline. After a few months, they are usually almost invisible to others.

Is the recovery painful?

Surprisingly, a facelift is not a painful surgery. Patients report a feeling of tightness, numbness, or heaviness, but acute pain is extremely rare and is controlled with paracetamol or ibuprofen.

What exactly is the Deep Plane Facelift?

It is a technique where the surgeon dissects below the SMAS (the superficial muscular layer). By releasing the ligaments that anchor the face to the bone, the entire tissue can be lifted as a block without creating tension on the skin, achieving superior cheekbone elevation and deep rejuvenation.

What is the main difference between SMAS and Deep Plane?

In the SMAS technique, the skin is separated from the muscle, and then the muscle is tightened. In the Deep Plane, the skin and muscle remain attached and are lifted together from a deeper layer. The Deep Plane usually offers a more natural result in the midface (cheeks).

Can I get just a neck lift?

Yes, it is known as a cervicoplasty or neck lift. However, in 90% of cases, neck sagging is directly related to the drooping of cheek and jaw tissues. Therefore, Dr. Sánchez García usually recommends treating both areas together for a harmonious result.

Can a facelift be combined with a blepharoplasty?

It is the most frequent combination in facial plastic surgery in Valencia. While the facelift rejuvenates the lower and mid-face, a blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) rejuvenates the eyes, achieving total facial refreshment in a single intervention.

How much time should I take off work?

For an office job, most patients require between 10 and 14 days. For jobs requiring intense physical effort, 3 to 4 weeks are recommended.

When can I work out again?

You can walk from day one to improve circulation. Light cardiovascular exercise can be resumed after 3 weeks, and weightlifting or high-impact exercises after 4-6 weeks.

Is general anesthesia dangerous?

In the hands of qualified anesthesiologists and following a complete preoperative study, modern general anesthesia is extremely safe. Most of Dr. Sánchez García's patients prefer to be completely asleep during the procedure for their total comfort.

What are the risks of this surgery?

Like any surgical procedure, there are general risks (infection, bleeding, hematoma). Specific risks include temporary asymmetries, poor wound healing in smokers, and, very rarely, temporary injury to a branch of the facial nerve (which usually resolves spontaneously).

Must I stop smoking?

Absolutely yes. Smoking constricts blood vessels and drastically reduces blood flow to the skin, which can cause necrosis (tissue death) and poor-quality scars. You must stop smoking (including nicotine vapes) at least 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after.

Can I get a facelift in Valencia if I have previous hyaluronic acid fillers or thread lifts?

Yes, but you must inform Dr. Alberto Sánchez García. Previous fillers can alter the anatomy. Sometimes it is recommended to dissolve the hyaluronic acid with hyaluronidase before surgery to see the true state of the tissues.

Do people from outside Valencia come for surgery?

Yes, a large part of our patients come from Castellón, Alicante, Albacete, Cuenca, and Teruel, seeking Dr. Alberto Sánchez García's expertise in advanced techniques like the Deep Plane. The clinic assists out-of-town patients with the logistics of their stay.

Will the shape of my eyes change?

A lower and mid-face lift does not change the shape of your eyes. If an associated blepharoplasty or temporal lift (brow tail lift) is performed, your gaze will look more open and rested, but maintaining your identity.

What happens to the earlobe? Will it deform?

The dreaded "pixie ear" occurs in older techniques where all the excessive tension was supported by the skin. With SMAS and Deep Plane techniques, the tension is supported by the muscle, so the earlobe retains its natural shape.

Is a Mini Facelift the same as a thread lift?

No. Thread lifts are a temporary aesthetic medicine treatment that causes tissue fibrosis. A Mini Facelift is a surgery that anatomically repositions the tissues and removes excess skin, offering much longer-lasting and effective results.

Will my hair fall out in the scar area?

Modern incisions are designed with a bevel to preserve hair follicles. Hair usually grows back through the scar, camouflaging it. Permanent hair loss is very uncommon.

Will I need drains?

It depends on the technique and intraoperative bleeding. In some cases, small drainage tubes are placed behind the ears for 24 hours to prevent blood accumulation (hematoma) and are removed the next day without pain.

How should I sleep after surgery?

During the first 2-3 weeks, it is imperative to sleep on your back with your head elevated (using 2 or 3 pillows) to minimize swelling and promote lymphatic drainage.

Does a facelift eliminate skin spots or fine wrinkles?

No. A facelift treats structural sagging and deep folds. Fine wrinkles (like barcode lip lines) or sunspots should be treated with lasers, chemical peels, or neuromodulators (formerly known as Botox).

Is it normal to feel a numb face?

Totally normal. Tissue dissection interrupts small sensory nerve endings. Numbness in the cheeks and around the ears is common and gradually recovers over several months.

Can I dye my hair before or after?

We recommend dyeing your hair a week before surgery. After the procedure, you will need to wait at least 4 to 6 weeks for the scars to be completely closed and strong before applying chemical products to your scalp.

When will I see the final result?

Although you will look great after a month, the definitive anatomical result—where tissues completely settle, scars mature, and swelling completely disappears—is evaluated between 6 and 12 months after surgery.

Is there a "non-surgical facelift in Valencia"?

Commercially, this is the name given to a combination of dermal fillers, neuromodulators, and energy devices (radiofrequency, ultrasound). They are excellent for preventing or treating very mild aging, but they cannot reposition severely sagging tissues or remove excess skin like surgery does. They are NOT a facelift (nor are they close to it).

Can a double chin be treated during a facelift?

Yes, it is a fundamental part. Dr. Alberto Sánchez García addresses the double chin (submental fat) through liposuction or direct excision, and tightens the neck muscles (platysma) to define a sharp, youthful cervical angle.

How much does a facelift cost in Valencia?

The price varies considerably depending on the technique (Mini, SMAS, or Deep Plane), whether other surgeries are associated (eyelids, lipofilling), and operating room time. It is impossible to provide an exact quote without a prior medical evaluation to determine exactly what your anatomy needs. Approximate average prices in Valencia are:
- Mini-facelift: €4,500 – €6,500
- Facelift: €5,500 – €9,000
- Full cervicofacial lift: €6,500 – €9,500
- Direct brow lift: €1,500 – €2,500

How do I prepare for the consultation with Dr. Alberto Sánchez García?

If you have them, bring photos of yourself from 10 or 15 years ago. This greatly helps the doctor understand your original anatomical structure and plan the surgery to return you to that version of yourself, guaranteeing the most natural result possible.

Recovering the freshness of your face safely and naturally is possible in the hands of an expert surgeon in deep facial anatomy. If you reside in Valencia, Castellón, Alicante, Cuenca, Albacete, or Teruel, Dr. Alberto Sánchez García and his team are at your disposal to evaluate your case and design a custom surgical plan for you.

The medical information contained in this article is for guidance purposes and does not, under any circumstances, replace a face-to-face consultation with our plastic surgeon. Request an appointment and let’s talk.

Dr. Alberto Sánchez García | Plastic surgeon in Valencia

Contact Information

Avenida de Francia, 19, Valencia 46023
info@alsagacirujanoplastico.com
+34 601 581 542

Contact Information

Avenida de Francia, 19, Valencia 46023
info@alsagacirujanoplastico.com
+34 601 581 542
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