The Facelift Masterclass: Deep Plane, SMAS, Mini, Neck, and Eyes Explained

A well-done facelift should hold for 10 to 12 years, sometimes 15 — but only if a surgeon steers a patient toward the right depth from the start. Here's how four surgeons actually make that call.Dr. John Smoot has a two-second move he runs in nearly every consultation: he tugs the skin back near a patient's temple and watches what happens next. If it bunches or pleats, a short-scar mini lift won't hold — full stop, no matter how badly someone wants the smaller procedure.Dr. Johan Brahme breaks down the real difference between a mini, a SMAS, and a deep plane facelift — not marketing names, but how deep into the face each one goes and why that depth changes both the results and the risks. Dr. Kiersten Riedler explains who benefits most from the deep plane approach and walks through eyelid surgery recovery in detail, down to the actual pain scale patients report. Dr. Hector Salazar-Reyes maps out every option for treating an aging neck, from non-surgical energy devices to a full neck lift, including a procedure that's traditionally been requested almost exclusively by men.Monique Ramsey curates the best conversations with the plastic surgeons of La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre into one facelift masterclass covering the questions people actually ask before a consultation. LinksMeet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Johan BrahmeMeet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Kiersten RiedlerMeet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. John SmootMeet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Hector Salazar-ReyesLearn more about facelift surgeryQuestions answered by this episodeWhat's the difference between a deep plane facelift and a SMAS facelift?How do I know if I need a mini facelift or a full facelift?How long does a facelift actually last?What are the risks of a deep plane facelift?Can a deep plane facelift affect the nerves in my face?What are my options for tightening a sagging neck without surgery?What is a T-Z plasty and who is it for?How painful is eyelid surgery recovery?How long does bruising and swelling last after eyelid surgery?Should I combine lower eyelid surgery with fat transfer?About this podcastLearn from the talented plastic surgeons inside La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, the 12x winner of the San Diego's Best Union-Tribune Readers Poll, global winner of the 2020 MyFaceMyBody Best Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery Practice, and the 2025 winner of Best Cosmetic Surgery Group in San Diego Magazine's Best of San Diego Awards.Join hostess Monique Ramsey as she takes you inside LJCSC, where dreams become real. Featuring the unique expertise of San Diego's most loved plastic surgeons, this podcast covers the latest trends in aesthetic surgery, including breast augmentation, breast implant removal, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, labiaplasty, facelifts and rhinoplasty.La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre is located just off the I-5 San Diego Freeway at 9850 Genesee Ave, Suite 130 in the Ximed building on the Scripps Memorial Hospital campus.To learn more, go to LJCSC.com or follow the team on Instagram @LJCSCWatch the LJCSC Dream Team on YouTube @LaJollaCosmeticSurgeryCentreThe La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Podcast is a production of The Axis: theaxis.ioTheme music: Busy People, SOOP