[Cutaneous incision in facelift. Oblique cervicomalar SMAS flap and malar facelift. Technical notes]

The objectives of these incisions are: in the temporal region to preserve hair capital and to elevate the temporo-canthal region while keeping side burns in place--this "Z" type incision is particularly useful for mak life surgery--in the mastoïde region, to minimize common "step" in hairline and to have a good lift effect even in the back part of this short incision. The oblique SMAS flap begins 2 cm under the canthal region and finishes in the neck at the posterior border of the plastysma muscle. The posterior border of the flap is thus close and parallel to the medial folds of the face. The suture of this border after ascension of the flap ensures good results on these ageing folds. The subsmas dissection of the malar region allows lifting of the sliding malar fat pad. The submalar crease disappears and the nasolabial fold is improved.