SMAS Facelift | BYUN Facelift
Artwork by Dr. BYUN
SMAS Facelift Chicago | Dr. Byun Natural Midline Restoration
The SMAS facelift is a foundational facial rejuvenation procedure that focuses on lifting and repositioning the Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System (SMAS)—the deeper muscular layer of the face. Dr. Michael Byun in Chicago advances this technique by restoring muscles and tissues up and inward toward the midline, rather than simply pulling skin. The result is natural, long-lasting facial contours without a tight or artificial appearance.
This is a structural, restorative facelift, designed to rebuild the support system of the face, not just stretch the surface.
What Is a SMAS Facelift?
The SMAS layer is critical for facial expression and overall structure. Traditional facelifts often lift only the skin, leaving the deeper layer unsupported, which can lead to unnatural tightness or early relapse.
Dr. Byun’s SMAS facelift:
- Repositions sagging muscles and connective tissue to their original anatomical midline
- Preserves natural facial expression
- Restores youthful cheek, jawline, and neck contours
- Works in harmony with other layers (fat, fascia, and skin) for complete rejuvenation
This technique is ideal for patients with lower face and midface sagging, jowls, or early neck laxity who want natural results that last.
Why Choose Dr. Byun for a SMAS Facelift in Chicago
Midline Muscle Repositioning
Dr. Byun restores the SMAS layer up and inward, preserving natural facial movement and expression.
Full-Layer Restoration
Unlike superficial lifts, the SMAS facelift works across muscles, connective tissue, fat, and skin, rebuilding the face structurally.
Endoscopic Precision
Small, discreet incisions and visualization allow Dr. Byun to perform the lift accurately while minimizing scarring.
Stop Everything Philosophy
Avoids unnecessary fillers, threads, lasers, or fat transfers that can damage tissue or accelerate aging.
Long-Term Natural Results
By restoring the SMAS to its original position, patients enjoy results that age gracefully and avoid the “pulled” look of traditional lifts.
Benefits of a SMAS Facelift by Dr. Byun
- Restores jawline and neck definition
- Reduces jowls, marionette lines, and nasolabial folds
- Preserves natural facial expression
- Minimizes visible scarring
- Long-lasting, structural results
- Less reliance on fillers or temporary procedures
- Harmonizes midface and lower face contours
This approach is particularly effective for patients who want a durable, natural-looking facelift rather than a purely cosmetic skin-tightening procedure.
What Happens During a SMAS Facelift
Consultation
- Comprehensive assessment of facial anatomy, skin quality, and prior treatments
- Customized surgical plan under Dr. Byun’s midline philosophy
- Discussion of recovery, zones to treat, and expected outcomes
Surgery
- Performed with light IV sedation and local anesthesia
- Small, hidden incisions
- Endoscopic-assisted lifting and repositioning of the SMAS, fat, and skin up and inward
- Duration: 2–4 hours, depending on treatment zones
Recovery
- Mild swelling/bruising for 1–2 weeks
- Return to work: 10–14 days
- Full healing over 3–6 months, with subtle improvements continuing up to 1 year
Dr. Byun’s structural approach ensures smoother recovery and more natural settling of tissues compared to superficial lifts.
Patients travel from across the country to find the best facelift surgeon in the USA
Who Is a Candidate for a SMAS Facelift?
- Sagging lower face or midface, jowls, or neck laxity
- Early to moderate aging changes in the jawline, cheeks, or neck
- Desire natural, long-lasting results without fillers or implants
- Patients in good overall health with realistic expectations
- Ideal for those seeking structural restoration rather than temporary cosmetic fixes
How Dr. Byun’s Philosophy Enhances SMAS Facelifts
Dr. Byun views aging as a downward and outward descent of facial tissues. His SMAS facelift technique lifts tissues up and inward, restoring them to their original midline position. This preserves expression, maintains balance, and avoids the stretched or pulled look seen in many traditional lifts.
This aligns with his Stop Everything philosophy, discouraging procedures that damage tissues or create long-term dependency on fillers, threads, or lasers.
Schedule Your SMAS Facelift Consultation in Chicago
Experience a SMAS facelift that restores natural structure, preserves expression, and delivers long-lasting rejuvenation.
Call or request an online consultation with Dr. Byun today.
Dr. BYUN Focuses on 4 Areas of the Face (4 Zones):
- Zone I is the neck and lower face (best for someone with a “turkey neck”).
- Zone II is the mouth area (best for someone with a marionette line, or a sad/mean look).
- Zone III is the midface (best for someone with a tired look/dark circles, heavy smile lines).
- Zone IV is the upper face (best for someone with a hooded brow, forehead lines, upper eye)
Ready to Book Your Consultation?
When the Young, Bright Prodigy Evolves into the Great Seasoned Master…
Enter: Dr. Michael BYUN
Highly regarded Professors at the prestigious Northwestern University did not know what to make of this young boy genius from South Korea on referring to a facelift as more appropriately ‘facial reconstructive surgery’ or even more understandably and simply as ‘MUSCLE REPAIR for the aging face’.
While you might think this nuance in language is subtle, it actually clarifies 2 very salient points in the mind of the potential cosmetic patient: one, it shatters the stigma of ‘getting work done’ for the sake of vanity; after all, your muscle has been damaged to the point of sagging or even dangling off the bone under the skin. You must realize, in the eyes of Byun, this is simply a corrective medical procedure to the aging process. And two, it differentiates the actual medical procedure itself as being totally and distinctly different from that of other Plastic Surgeons’ methods as a breakthrough establishing the ‘BYUN Method’ as the vanguard for attaining a more organic, natural, beautiful result.
You will still look like you. And that’s the difference.
In The Media
What You Need To Know Before Getting a Facelift
Six things to be aware of before going under the knife.
When the Young, Bright Prodigy Evolves into the Great Seasoned Master
Dr. Michael BYUN is a serious doctor with seriously comprehensive experience unlike many of his peers, setting him heads and shoulders above the rest.
